Grammys Get the Go Ahead

The Grammy Awards will be in full voice next month, with the striking writers guild agreeing Monday to allow its members to work on the show.

The Writers Guild of America gave its blessing last week to a picket-free Grammys. Now that the guild's board of directors has decided to sign an interim agreement for the Feb. 10 ceremony, the Grammys will escape the fate that befell this month's Golden Globes.

The music industry has avoided a Golden Globes-like fate after the Writer’s Guild of America announced yesterday that the striking union would not picket the event, clearing the way for brother union the Screen Actor’s Guild (whose roster includes many musicians) to attend and participate in the event. The announcement comes one week after the WGA said it would not issue a waiver allowing SAG actors to cross the picket line, putting actor/musicians like the Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and Beyoncé in the uncomfortable position of guaranteeing their presence at the Grammy broadcast. Now, SAG members like Justin Timberlake, Queen Latifah and the White Stripes’ Jack White can show up, as well as the usual ten to twenty actors who typically attend to promote their current films.

Just a day after the Writers Guild decision not to picket the 2008 Grammy Awards comes word that next month's CBS telecast will feature a Tina Turner-Beyoncé duet. In a word? Genius.