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Arnie to terminate writer strike

09/11/2007

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has stepped in to help resolve the writers' strike which is currently engulfing Hollywood.

The Writers' Guild America (WGA) began the shutdown on Monday after studio representatives refused to meet their demands.

As a result topical news shows like the Daily Show with Jon Stewart are being forced to run repeats and primetime dramas on United States television are facing a scaling-down by the end of the month.

Helping save the day is Mr Schwarzenegger, whose 'backstage' efforts could turn the tide.

"I think it's very important we settle that as quickly as possible, because it has a tremendous economic impact on our state," he said.

"The studio executives are not going to suffer, the union leaders are not going to suffer, the writers that are striking, they are not going to suffer. Those are all people that have money."

Hollywood pundits are speculating that if he fails, a repeat of the 1988 WGA strike – which lasted 22 weeks and cost an estimated $500 million (£238 million) – may be on the cards.