Hollywood stars support agitating writers at pre-recorded ceremony

Hollywood stars including Jennifer Coolidge and Pedro Pascal paid tribute to striking writers in their acceptance speeches at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.

A pre-recorded ceremony was broadcast following the cancellation of thelive at the last minute amid the first major writers’ strike in 15 years.

Writers started the action last week, demanding better pay and working conditions in the streaming era.

The White Lotus star Coolidge said she stood “side by side” with them.

While accepting the comedic genius award on Sunday, she said they were “fighting for the rights of artists everywhere”.

“You know, almost all great comedy starts with great writers,” she remarked.

“As a proud member of SAG [Screen Actors Guild], I stand here before you tonight, side by side with my sisters and brothers from the WGA [Writers Guild of America], that are fighting right now, fighting for the rights of artists everywhere.”

The WGA had said it had planned to picket the event on Sunday in Santa Monica, California, before the glitzy live show was scrapped in favour of a more muted affair.

Show bosses said they did so in order to “carefully navigate how best to deliver the fan first awards show we envisioned”.

The Last of Us star Pascal also acknowledged those “fighting very hard” for fair wages, while acceptomg his third award of the evening.

The zombie drama, authored by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, won best TV show while earlier, Pascal and co-star Bella Ramsey picked up best duo. “Craig and Neil can’t be here,” Pascal said in a video message. “We are all standing in solidarity with the WGA that is fighting very hard for fair wages. We thank you, we love you.” The writers’ strike began last week when more than 11,000 members of the WGA downed tools after talks with major studios broke down.