Would-Be Writers Guild West Awards Host Set to Headline Fundraiser for Striking Staff: “I’m a Union Girl”

Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment On March 1, the Writers Guild of America West told members that it had made the dramatic decision to cancel its annual awards show, set to be hosted by fast-rising comedian Atsuko Okatsuka , amid a bitter labor dispute with its striking staff. The union explained at the time that it wouldn’t force its members to cross a picket line to enter the ceremony. Now, the would-be host of that show is headlining a new event: this one in support of the union’s striking staff. The Writers Guild Staff Union announced on Thursday that Okatsuka had been added to the lineup of a comedy fundraiser for their efforts taking place on Sunday at Echo Park’s Bar Bandini. Related Stories Movies Toronto Film Critics Association Faces Collapse After Allegedly Censoring Indigenous Filmmaker's Pro-Palestine Speech Movies Oscar-Nominated Documentary 'Cutting Through Rocks' Among Athena Film Festival Award Winners Okatsuka, who is a member of the WGA herself, is set to appear at the WGSU event alongside fellow performers Andrea Jin, Naomi Ekperigin, Jared Logan, Solomon Georgio, Bryan Cook and David Venhuizen. ”I’m a union girl,” Okatsuka told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement. ”We’re only as strong as the people behind the scenes!! We’re one unit, so we must move as such.” Okatsuka added, “I was supposed to host the awards this Saturday. A day of celebrating the hard work of artists in one of the strongest unions in the U.S. But could we really celebrate while the staff, who help support the union are asking to be heard of their needs? I’m honored to stand with them.” Will she be performing some of the jokes she had planned for the WGA West ceremony? Absolutely, she said. “What else am I going to do with all these Bugonia jokes?” It’s the latest example of a WGA w...