Oscar statuette by Bob D'Amico/ABC
The Oscars show will go on, but not without the benefit of Hollywood-style rationalization as to why the Academy would hold the event in the face of a writers strike. After all, if the strike continues into the kudoscast's Feb. 24 date, both writers and actors who would potentially be attending as guests or nominees would likely not attend.
In response to the potential conflict of interest, several event officials emphasize that of the 26 award categories, only four are for acting (and thus would benefit from the presence of the announced winner). Add in some musical extravaganzas, clips of Hollywood through history, and voila — you've got an awards show. Still, Academy Awards director Louis J. Horvitz tells TV Guide, "We need [the writers]. And it's doing us no good with them being on the picket lines when we're hoping that they're going to be with us on the 24th."
To make sure no one doubts his commitment to the WGA, Horvitz says, "Nobody is denying for any moment that the writers don't deserve respect. I totally respect them." That said, he notes that the Academy Awards aren't really that much about writers, and as such would eschew a Golden Globes-esque watering down: "[A]s I said, there are 22 awards that have nothing to do with writers, and [categories that] have nothing to do with actors."
Academy Awards producer Gil Cates also confirms the show's status and reiterates Horvitz's points. Even if the strike is still going on, he said, "Some people may cross the picket line, and some may not, but the show's the show. There's entertainment, there are going to be production numbers, so I feel very confident that it will be a good show."
And what are the chances of the show not having to scale back the categories that do honor writers and actors? AMPAS prez Sid Ganis says his organization is "in the process of talking to the WGA" regarding a possible waiver. In the meantime, though, "We're going on as planned. We have a lot of work to do, a lot of people to honor — some of them are actors, and many of them are not." — Anna Dimond, with reporting by Carita Rizzo
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