The Writers strike may be over! A tentative deal between the studios and the Writers Guild has been reached but still needs approval by the Guild in a vote that is scheduled for Saturday. After being out of work for three months the writers will likely approve the deal, which means more scripted and less reality t.v.

The WGA was joined on the picket lines by various members of the Screen Actors Guild and S.A.G. Television and Films were represented by a who’s who of classic television. Seinfeld alums Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander were representing, as well Everybody Loves Raymond’s Ray Ramano and his on screen brother, Brad Garrett. The Friends cast saw Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry picking up some picket signs, and our all-time favorite teenage doctor genius, How I Met Your Mother’s Neil Patrick Harris making an appearance.  And least we forget CSI’s Gary Dourdan, who lent his support for the striking writers.  Maybe he should start some investigative work with Grissom and Catherine and get this strike moving out of the picketing phase and on to the negotiating phase.  Hmmm.  If only the writers could write a happy ending to this.  Oh wait, that’s right – they’re on strike.  Darn.  I guess the studios will have to get their law or accounting departments to become the storytellers.  We can’t wait to see those episodes.  For more pictures of the ever-present members striking for their rights to party, er, write (sorry, had a Beastie Boys moment), please see below.

The writers are still chanting loudly in the picket lines, and yesterday their families joined in.  Just like any other strikes of years past (remember the grocery workers’ strike a few years ago?), we are all hoping that this is resolved soon.  A quick glance at your calendar shows you that the holiday season has begun. Imagine being on strike and not working during the holidays!  Let’s hope that both sides come up with a fair and lasting agreement that each party will be happy with.