Writers’ Waiver for Oscar Show?

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said on Monday that it will seek a waiver from the striking Writers Guild of America so that the writers of the Oscar ceremonies may continue to work on the show slated for worldwide telecast by ABC on April 11.

Writers Guild members Mel Shavelson and Jack Rose have been hired by the motion picture academy to write this year’s program and Ernest Lehman will act as a creative consultant. Shavelson, who picketed Monday, said that “as of today, I am no longer working on the script.”

Motion picture academy spokesman Bob Werden said Monday that entertainment guilds had customarily granted waivers in previous strikes. The WGA had no comment.