Strike may silence Grammys

What happened

Organizers of the Grammy Awards have asked the Writers Guild of America for an interim agreement that would allow striking Hollywood writers to work on the upcoming music awards show, which is scheduled for Feb. 10. WGA spokesman Greg Mitchell said that a deal “is unlikely to be granted.” (The Press Association)

What the commentators said

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“Watching the Golden Globes implode last weekend” must have scared the producers of the Grammys, said Geoff Boucher in the Los Angeles Times. And they have good reason to be afraid: “To the eyes of the WGA, the Grammys are a viable target because the three-hour gala drew an average of 20 million viewers for CBS last year.” But some “academy officials” are “privately” saying “that the show will go on even in the face of a picket line, which would put some music stars on the spot.”

Yeah, like the “Grammy-loved musicians” that “moonlight" as Screen Actors Guild members, said Josh Grossberg in E! Online. That list includes such heavyweights as “Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, Jack White, Beyoncé Knowles, Fantasia Barrino, Jon Bon Jovi, and Queen Latifah.” Not to mention “blue-collar rockers like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Joni Mitchell and Steve Earle—all of whom are nominated this year,” and all of whom have been “strong union supporters throughout their careers.”

Who needs actors at the Grammys anyway? said Leah Collins in the blog Dose. “Grammy night is for musicians—and hot chicks with lip synching skills as tight as their abs.” And besides, “the telecast has traditionally relied on live performances to fill time,” so how would not having a script effect anything?