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.

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.

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???

Seems like the Hollywood writer’s strike is going on and on and on and on… so is it going to end any time soon, and are there any negotations? Get it straight from the writers themselves at the Union’s blog.

We’d quote them but then they might complain copyright infringement and picket US.

The writer’s strike has got many people thinking about the Hollywood economy — and how most of the industry don’t lead the glamorous, luxurious life of A-list celebrities.

Though the 2006 study of the Motion Picture Association of America pins the average HOllywood salary at $73,000 a year, most employees get much, much lower than that. The average includes executive salaries, which reach millions of dollars a year. But carpenters, set decorators and scriptwriters are lucky to get $50,000 to $80,000 annually.

Pretty good rate, but factor in that these jobs aren’t steady. Most will work 8 months of a year, and will have to audition or bid for positions. Writer Diana Ljungaeus says “it’s milearned a place where everyone is something else.” Cab drivers are directors, cashiers are stand up comics. Most take two or three jobs to support a craft.

“Very few people can live off the arts of TV, theater and film. It’s a few that can and they live well. The rest of the hopeful are just struggling,” she adds.

It’s official. The Hollywood writers have gone on strike, and it’s bad news for viewers and TV stations already struggling to maintain ratings. It’s TV that’ll be hit first, and possibly the hardest. Expect reruns of The Late Show with David Letterman and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and if the strike isn’t resolved in a month, daytime soaps will recycle episodes too.

In fact, NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker had warned media last week that “A strike will happen at everyone’s peril.” Uhm, DVD marathon anyone?