Hollywood writers to return to the table

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood film and TV writers who’ve been on a nearly two-week strike against studios will return to contract negotiations Nov. 26, their union and producers said.

In a joint statement, the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said both sides had agreed to return to formal negotiations.

The statement said no other details would be released.

Meanwhile, the writers, who went on strike Nov. 5, would continue on the picket line, said Gregg Mitchell, a spokesman for the guild.

Some writers applauded the return to talks.

“That’s fabulous, that’s great,” said Sean Jablonski, a writer for the FX drama “Nip/Tuck.” “You can’t get a deal until two sides sit down and talk about it,” Jablonski said.

“It’s a good message to hear around the holidays,” he said.

John Aboud, a TV writer and a strike captain, said he hoped a return to talks would quickly lead to a contract.

“I’m delighted to see they’re starting to move forward, and I hope we can wrap this thing up soon,” Aboud said.

It’s unclear what pushed both sides back to the table. The strike has been bruising and very public, with writers being joined by actors on picket lines and producers taking out full-page newspaper ads to tell their side of the story.