The Academy Awards may have pushed through, but it was still affected by the writer’s strike. Nielson ratings dipped considerably, coming in 20% below last year’s.

Experts blame the rather depressing themes of the movies that were nominated, and the lack of momentum for the awards season thanks to the writer’s strike.

If it weren’t for Jon Stewart, the Academy Awards would’ve come and gone with little said over about the Hollywood writers strike. “Welcome to the makeup sex,” joked the host, referring to the end of hostilities and (hopefully) the beginning of better TV.

“Of course, there’s some collateral damage left over from the strike — emotionally, economically, perhaps worst of all the cancellation of the legendary Vanity Fair Oscar party,” he said. “They said they did it out of, quote, respect for the writers. You know a way they could show respect for the writers? Maybe, one day, invite some of them to the Vanity Fair Oscar party. I promise — they won’t mingle.”

Unfortunately, there were very few actors who actually gave the writers what they really wanted: acknowledgment. One notably exception was Diablo Cody who accepted her trophy for original screenplay by saying, “This is for the writers, and I want to thank all the writers.”

The writer’s strike hit the Hollywood economy hard. Experts say that the 3-month shutdown had led to $2.5 billion in lost business. Aside from the wages, awards shows like the Golden Globes were cancelled (that event alone cost $60 million n cancelled ads and promos).

It’s official. The writer’s strike is over!

“The strike has been extraordinarily difficult for all of us, but the hardest hit of all have been the many thousands of businesses, workers and families that are economically dependent on our industry. We hope now to focus our collective efforts on what this industry does best — writers, directors, actors, production crews, and entertainment companies working together to deliver great content to our worldwide audiences,” said union honchos in a joint statement.

The Grammys delivered on its promise of throwing a true Hollywood party, complete with red carpets, gowns, and vizarre acceptance speeches. In the list of winners you’ll find an amazing sweep from brilliant — yet very troubled — singer Amy Winehouse. She performed a song and sent her thanks via satellite, having been denied entry into the US because of her drug history.

The Grammys — which honors the best in the music industry — is the only major event to have gotten approval of the Writers Guild of America.

Insiders say that there are signs that the Hollywood strike is over.

The Writers Guild of America has a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, but will still vote on the new terms (which will take place over the next 48 hours).

The writers strike turned most of the film industry’s awards nights into pathetic news conferences, so the world’s hungry for a real party. They just might get it from the Grammys. Meet the nominees and get ready for the gowns, the glamour, and the tearful acceptance speeches.

Some experts are predicting the end of the Golden Age of Television, namely how “intelligent” shows have gotten the axe while stations aim for sad trend towards cheap, ad-driven programs.

Do you agree? And do you think that this is mostly just a problem caused by the writer’s strike or a scary trend that Hollywood is dumbing down and selling out?

The Hollywood writers strike gets even more complicated as The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists breaks connections with its more powerful sister union, the Screen Actors Guild.

AFTRA’s board of directors voted Saturday to separately negotiate its upcoming prime-time television contract with the major studios — without SAG at the bargaining table.

While each group has its own list of grievances against each other — and agendas to pursue the big question is:

when will this strike be over, already???

The 25th annual William S. Paley Television Festival will be honoring writer-producer
Judd Apatow, the genius behind cult classics like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up” and “Superbad.”

The event will also be inviting producer director Steve Binder to talk about Elvis Presley’s 1968
comeback special on NBC, and honoring the cast and producers of hit series like “Pushing Daisies,” “Gossip Girl,” “Chuck,” “Dirty Sexy Money” and “Mad Men.”