Nothing like jumping to conclusions long before they've been reached, but there is now word - let's call it a reliable word - that the strike that's crippled one of the world's most influential industries is about to end.
This word comes via Nikki Finke's indispensible Deadlinehollywooddaily.com, where she writes:
"As the WGA strike begins its 4th week, I've been told positive news about today's resumption of contract talks between the writers and the producers. So positive, in fact, that I'm almost fearful to post it. But here goes: a very reliable source tells me that there appears to be a deal seemingly in place between both sides.
"It's already done, basically," the insider describes.
Why believe Finke? Because she's been pretty much right about everything else with regards to this strike, the best I can tell. I've always been an admirer of her work, but that admiration has only grown over these last few weeks: Note, as an example, the fact that A-lister stars posted their amusing pro-writer videoblogs on her site over the weekend, which naturally proves that they think she's the go-to reporter on this stoppage as well.
But a resolution makes sense, and here's why: There's no reason to assume writers/producers would break bread again unless they have some reason for doing so. They already knew each other's positions BEFORE the walk-out began, so there must be a modification in those positions that would draw them back to the table.