Oscars & Grammys Hang In The Balance As Strike Rages On

Will artists like Justin Timberlake and Beyonce ignore the strike to enjoy the music? Will first-time Oscar nominees be denied their big moment?

After reducing the Golden Globes to 30-minute press conference, the ongoing Hollywood writer’s strike could possibly change both film and music’s biggest nights — the Oscars and the Grammys.

Access Hollywood has learned the Academy is preparing two versions of the Oscars this year — one if the strike ends before the broadcast on Feb. 24; and another if the strike continues.

Details of what an alternative Oscar night might entail have not been revealed, but Gil Cates, the producer of the award show, told reporters, the plan is to “play it by ear.”

The looming question about Oscar night is whether the stars will attend if the strike is still ongoing?

If the Writers Guild Association and the Academy are unable to reach an interim agreement, the WGA is expected to ask the Screen Actors Guild to picket the event, according to Variety.

The producers of the Oscars say the show will go on regardless of the strike — actors or no actors.

However, the film world isn’t the only industry affected by the writer’s strike, as it now appears the Grammys could also suffer a similar fate.

The Grammy Awards requested an interim agreement from the WGA for its telecast on February 10, but it appears the usual star-studded night, might not have its usual shine.

“While no guild decision has yet been made regarding the Grammys, if a waiver is requested for the Grammys, it is unlikely to be granted,” the WGA said Monday, as reported in Variety.

And yet, the situation worsens when it comes to music artists who are also actors.

“The WGA has informed us that this is struck work, and they expect to have a picket line in place,” said a SAG spokesman. “In those circumstances, our members have been unwilling to cross a picket line, and we anticipate that solidarity will continue.”

Nominees like Justin Timberlake, Queen Latifah, Tim McGraw, Beyonce, Jack White, Jon Bon Jovi, T.I. and Fantasia also have careers in acting, and would be crossing the SAG picket line if they choose to attend the Grammys, according to Variety.

Other nominees, like Bruce Springsteen, the Beastie Boys, Joni Mitchell, John Mellencamp and Steve Earle have not crossed picket lines in the past, and are not expected to for the Grammys, according to Variety.

Many artists have not said if they will attend the Grammys until the details of the night have been worked out.

The WGA has granted waivers to the NAACP Image Awards, the SAG Awards, and the Independent Spirit Awards.