Grammys request WGA agreement

Awards show will go on regardless

By PHIL GALLO

The producers of the Grammy Awards requested an interim agreement from the WGA Tuesday for the telecast of the 50th annual awards on Feb. 10.

Cossette Prods., which produces the show aired on CBS, has requested the same terms as those arrangements signed by the WGA with David Letterman's company, Worldwide Pants. The Recording Academy owns all rights to the Grammy Awards and is not a signatory with the Writers Guild of America.

The earliest a decision would be made is Monday, according to a person familiar with the WGA's operating procedure. But the WGA has repeatedly said that it would probably not grant a waiver request for the Grammys and SAG has announced that it's been told that the WGA considers the Grammys struck work.

"We will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that a program so vital to our industry, artists, charitable beneficiaries and the great city of Los Angeles is held as planned," Recording Academy president and CEO Neil Portnow said in a statement. "Accordingly, all preparations by the Academy for our milestone 50th annual Grammy Awards remain in full swing."

Portnow met with WGA president Patric Verrone on Jan. 8, noting that the Academy supported the WGA in its efforts on the digital front.

Portnow stressed that the Grammy telecast, unlike other awards shows, generates funds to be used for school programs, to assist musicians in times of need and lobbying efforts in Washington.

While the American Federation of Musicians and the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists represent the performers, the Grammy Awards show employs two WGA members.