Actors to skip SAG Awards

The Screen Actors Guild on Friday said nearly all its members will refuse to cross striking writers' picket lines at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards, throwing Hollywood's award season deeper into doubt. Award nominees such as Julia Roberts and Johnny Depp would be key draws for audiences of the film and television honors on January 13, and could be nominated and appear for the world's top film honors, the Oscars, in February. If they, or other A-list actors, fail to appear, industry watchers think the Golden Globes may not air as scheduled. The Writers Guild of America, which represents the writers, also has barred its members from writing for the Oscars, but SAG's Friday announcement pertained only to the Golden Globe Awards. "After considerable outreach to Golden Globe actor nominees and their representatives over the past several weeks, there appears to be unanimous agreement that these actors will not cross WGA picket lines," SAG President Alan Rosenberg said. Rosenberg also said SAG has asked members about appearing on late-night talk shows that remain subject to the strike. In the case of programs such as "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," SAG members also appear unanimous in not wanting to cross picket lines. A representative for NBC, which broadcasts the Golden Globes as well as "Tonight Show" and "Late Night" was not immediately available to comment. Earlier this week, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which gives out the Golden Globes, said it was in talks with the WGA to seek an "interim agreement" that would allow it to air as scheduled. The WGA, however, said that for now it would continue with its plan to picket the show.

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