Thousands protest as Hollywood writers strike enters fifth day
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — More than 3,000 film and television writers demonstrated here Friday as the strike over new media sales rumbled into a fifth day with no prospect of a resolution in sight.
Thousands of writers brandishing placards and clad in red t-shirts gathered outside Fox Studios in Century City to protest, the biggest single demonstration since the strike began on Monday.
The writers' stance has earned sympathy from many celebrities this week, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus of "Seinfeld" fame, "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria and Kelsey Grammer of "Cheers" who also attended Friday's rally.
"Now people are, you know, drawing their lines and I'm hoping that the lines can be blurred enough that people come back together and start talking," Grammer told ABC7. "It affects the economy of Los Angeles."
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) pressed ahead with a strike after last-ditch talks with Hollywood producers over the issue of payment from Internet sales and downloads broke down on Sunday.
The industrial action is the first by the WGA for nearly 20 years and has plunged the industry into turmoil, halting production on hit television shows like "Desperate Housewives" and forcing the postponement of "24."
Popular late night chat shows hosted by Jay Leno and David Letterman have also gone into shutdown this week because of the strike, which industry analysts believe may last several months.
Most major movie studios have sought to insulate themselves from the strike by stockpiling scripts. However the longer the dispute goes on the greater the risk of film productions being disrupted.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Friday that the entertainment industry's top five talent agencies -- William Morris, International Creative Management, Creative Artists Agency, United Talent Agency and Endeavor -- have met WGA leaders to help find a solution.
Meanwhile, popular comedienne and 2007 Oscars host Ellen DeGeneres was lambasted by the WGA's East Coast chapter for continuing to broadcast her daytime chat show despite the strike action.
"The WGAE is extremely disappointed to see that Ellen has chosen not to stand with writers during the strike," a statement read.
"Ellen's peers who host comedy/variety shows have chosen to support the writers and help them get a fair contract. Ellen has not.
"On her first show back, Ellen said she loves and supports her writers, but her actions prove otherwise."
