Writers and producers may be close

As Mark Lacter posted this afternoon, several media sources are reporting progress in the Hollywood writers strike. "Informal talks between representatives of Hollywood�s striking writers and production companies have eliminated the major roadblocks to a new contract, which could lead to a tentative agreement as early as next week, according to people who were briefed on the situation but requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak," Michael Cieply reports in tomorrow's New York Times. The LAT, Variety and Nikki Finke all agree.