Grammy gets OK from WGA
The three-month-long writers strike will have no effect on the Grammys.
The Writers Guild of America West has granted an interim agreement for the 50th annual Grammy Awards, allowing the Feb. 10 telecast to proceed with WGA writers. Last week, the WGA had announced that it would not picket the awards.
Today's news ensures that Grammy producers can utilize the show's regular WGA writing team of producer Ken Ehrlich and author-journalist David Wild. Since last week's assurance that the WGA would not picket the event, the Recording Academy has begun lining up its cast of performers, which includes Carrie Underwood, Beyonce, the Foo Fighters, John Paul Jones, Rihanna and a reunion from funk group the Time.
Additionally, with the show now essentially receiving the blessing of the WGA, producers should be able to line up a number of Screen Actors Guild members to present or perform.
In response, the Recording Academy issued the following statement:
"The Recording Academy is gratified by the WGA's decision to grant the interim agreement we requested for our milestone 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Having our talented writers on the team further ensures the highest level of creativity and innovation, something our audience has come to expect every year. Music fans worldwide can look forward to an amazing lineup of artists and performances on February 10, making our 50th anniversary show one of the most memorable ever."
The full WGA West statement below issued today:
The Board of Directors of the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) has agreed to grant an interim agreement for this year’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. This will allow for written material for the show to be covered under a Guild contract.
"Professional musicians face many of the same issues that we do concerning fair compensation for the use of their work in new media. In the interest of advancing our goal of achieving a fair contract, the WGAW Board felt that this decision should be made on behalf [of] our brothers and sisters in the American Federation of Musicians and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists," said WGAW President Patric M. Verrone.
Well, the WGA just caved....they might as well all go back to work now because this tells the big companies they will win in the end and to give them nothing...VERY bad move WGA, VERY BAD MOVE.....well they have no one to blame but them selves this time. Hope it was worth it to who ever made the money off this one.
Posted by: Noah | January 29, 2008 at 12:14 PM