The Oscars and Golden Globes award show spectaculars will be hit by the Hollywood writers' strike. The Writers Guild of America has barred its members from working on two of the biggest nights in the showbiz calendar. Its refusal to grant a waiver means top stars could face a picket line as they walk the red carpet.
Industry experts say the move will stop ceremony organizers from using clips from past shows. Oscars host Jon Stewart will also get no help from writers with his script for the big night on February 24.
The WGA's tough stance is part of its strategy to force studios back to the negotiating table after talks broke down again on December 7.
Hollywood screenwriters downed their pens on November 5 after failing to agree terms for a new contract with the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Negotiations stalled over the writers' demands for an increased share of profits from Internet and new media sales. Filming has had to be suspended on hit TV series and work has also been postponed on several Hollywood films.
The WGA rejected a strike waiver request in letters sent to awards ceremony organisers on Monday, according to US reports. In a letter to Oscars organisers, WGA West President Patric Verrone said: "We must do everything we can to bring our negotiations to a swift and fair conclusion for the benefit of writers and all those who are being harmed by the companies' failure to engage in serious negotiations. "Our board concluded, reluctantly, that granting a waiver for the Academy Awards would not advance that goal."
A spokesman for the producers' alliance slammed the move, saying: "In the category of Worst Supporting Union, the nominee is the WGA."
The company responsible for producing the Golden Globes said it would try to strike an independent deal with the WGA to prevent the January 13 show being picketed.
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