Writers strike threatens Oscar ceremony

Even as movie buffs continue guessing who are going to win the prestigious Academy Awards this season, a writers strike has placed a big question mark before the big show. It is still doubtful whether any nominees will turn up for the gala event because of the strike. The Oscar nominees this time include among others stars such as George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Julie Christie and Daniel Day-Lewis. This is extremely unlikely that the event would draw television viewers across the world if such luminaries abstain from attending the show scheduled for February 24. It is assumed that a number of celebrities may be inclined to honor the picket lines of the striking Writers Guild of America and stay away from the Oscar ceremony. In such a scenario, the event planners may not have any other option than either scrapping the telecast or presenting something completely new never seen in an Oscar ceremony before.

However, there are rumors around Hollywood that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has an alternative plan to put on the show even in the absence of writers and stars. But there is no official confirmation of any such plan yet. Gil Cates, producer of the Oscar telecast, is firm on holding the show come what may. Cates has hinted that the program could be padded with clips from 80 years of Oscar history in case writers and stars decide to stay away. The academy officially says it is going ahead with the red carpet and awards ceremony at the Kodak Theatre as usual.