LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In Hollywood, contract talks between entertainment writers and the TV and movie industries have apparently reached the final chapter. That means that -- that could mean rerun city this fall and more of those unscripted reality shows you've seen so far. Here now CNN's Sherri Sylvester.</s>SHERRI SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A strike that could cost Hollywood $2 billion a month may be unavoidable because of money. Negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers were at an impasse after almost six weeks at the bargaining table. The contract for entertainment writers expires the 1st of May. They want a raise in residuals for overseas video cassettes and cable airings of their work. The producers or management represent such companies as Warner Brothers, Paramount, Universal, Columbia and Disney. The parties have made progress on creative issues. Writers want more input as they scripts are being filmed. And they complain that the film by credit traditionally goes to directors.</s>NICK COUNTER, PRESIDENT, AMPTP: The creative rights there is and the recognition, the respect, the issues have been advanced along in -- really in a major way.</s>SYLVESTER: If an agreement can't be reached, a strike would effect TV first, halting Leno in late night and leaving daytime soaps in mid-cliffhanger. Prime time would be back-to-back reality shows and news magazines.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As they commit to more and more of those programs, the pressure to ultimately put them on in place of traditional dramas or comedies will grow.</s>SYLVESTER: Both side insist that a strike can be avoided.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It will be resolved. At some point, it will be resolved. We would -- we would all prefer that it be resolved before work stoppage.</s>SYLVESTER: But no one is prepared to write a Hollywood happy ending just let. Sherri Sylvester, CNN entertainment news, Hollywood
What Will Impasse In Hollywood Labor Negotiations Entail?