The Oscars Are Still a Firm 'Go,' Strike or No Strike

Just got off the phone with 80th Annual Academy Awards executive producer Gilbert Cates, who sounded remarkably calm for a guy who were staring into the potential abyss of a Writers Guild strike-depleted show. At T-minus 23 days and counting until the Feb. 24 extravaganza, Cates was still hopeful of landing from the WGA an interim agreement similar to that granted David Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants Inc. and the Grammy Awards to move forward with production in the face of the now three-month-old work stoppage that's essentially shut down Hollywood.

Cates was somehow still managing to evoke a cool vibe despite being less than a month away from producing a live ceremony seen by hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. He continued to make the point that preparations are moving forward as if everything were normal, even though it's anything but -- though Cates, who has been involved in a few of these things before, assured me he's not in denial.

"We're prepared for all possibilities," Cates maintained. "We're looking to get an interim deal that will allow the show to be written by WGA writers, but we're also prepared for a picket line. In that instance, we figure some actors would cross a picket line, while others would not. The truth, however, is that only four of the 24 awards at the Oscars go to actors. That means 20 awards don't."

Besides having done the math, Cates is thought to be prepping an Academy Awards show that would make liberal use of pre-taped segments -- possibly even including acceptance speeches by actors reluctant to cross the picket line due to WGA/SAG solidarity. More clip packages also could be in the offing. Cates remains tight-lipped, noting that he simply doesn't yet have any clue which way things will fall. But he really wants that interim pact.

However, were Cates wearing the hat of WGA president Patric Verrone, would he so easily relinquish the leverage the writers have to potentially disrupt the year's grandest and most hallowed event?

"Feel free to quote me on this," Cates said. "There are many hats I like to put on. But Patric Verrone's is not one of them."

Is Cates surprised that the strike hasn't yet been settled?

"Yes, I am," he admitted. "I really hope the WGA considers the best interests of its members carefully."

Does Cates at all feel that putting on the Oscars could be construed as being dismissive of, or disrespectful toward, the protracted battle being waged by the WGA writers and, by extension, the entire entertainment industry?

"In a word, no," he replied. "This show is a community celebration and is totally apolitical. I feel very badly for the people out of work, who are losing their homes and their cars, whose kids can't go to school because they can't pay the tuition. A lot of people are suffering because of this strike. But we are respectful of everyone who works in Hollywood, and I have to believe all of them appreciate that the show must go on."