The biggest sticking point had been the expiration of the contract; SAG wanted it to expire in 2011, so they could be in sync with the Writers and Directors Guilds, and the “other” actors’ union AFTRA.  It would appear that the actors won that point, because the deal is a two-year deal. 

No details would be disclosed until Sunday following review by SAG’s national board at its previously scheduled meeting.  The panel, however, is expected to approve the pact.  Ratification ballots would then be sent to the union’s 120,000 members.

There is going to be some contention amongst the rank and file, though. SAG president Alan Rosenberg and his allies in the hardline Membership First faction, which lost its board majority to the moderates, has vowed it will urge members to vote down the deal on grounds that it falls short in on on multitude of areas, particularly new media. 

SAG members have worked since the expiration under terms and conditions of the expired deal.

Let’s hope they approve the deal (if it’s a fair enough one), and shows like Ugly Betty can get down to the business of making us laugh and cry!

Image: SplashNewsOnline.com

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Having covered Ferrera’s every move for a couple of years, something in the back of my mind tells me that this dress is a re-working of a dress Ferrera has previously worn. I’d swear I’ve seen it before. Now, if this were some other, snarky site, that would be considered a bad thing. But, if Ferrera is actually wearing designer dresses more than once, well, in this economy, she’s gone up in esteem in my eyes even further than before.

But, I could be wrong. Y’all tell me if you think you’ve seen it before.

Anyway, as for The Overexposed, Oh-So Hip Television Actress Award Outstanding performance by actress in comedy, America once again stayed in her seat while Tina Fey accepted the award. Peh.

One final “man-aside”. Kate Winslet had the best looking cleavage I have ever seen at one of these things. She needed a sign that said “my eyes are up here”.

But, back to the lovely Ms Ferrera. she looked fabulous, as usual.

More photos after the jump.

Images: Bauer-Griffin

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Image details: Screen Actors Guild Holds Labor Rally In Los Angeles served by picapp.com

Now that filming is underway, Ugly Betty fans are holding their breath.  Will it suddenly come to an end due to labor strife, as it did when the writers went on strike last year?

I haven’t spoken much about it because I don’t want to jinx it, but the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is now effectively working without a contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), and negotiations have been…somewhat less than cordial.

Here’s the latest news, as reported by Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood Daily.  Last week, the AMPTP made a “last best final” offer (something they also did with the writers several times).  The evaluation and negotiation about that offer has stopped, until the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) votes on their deal, hammered out with the studios on May 28 (boy, they’re in no hurry to ratify, are they?).  The votes should be counted by tonight, with an announcement shortly thereafter.

So, we wait.

In the meantime, what’s your feel on all of this?  Will there be an actors strike? Or would the cost to both sides be so high, they’ll find a way to hammer out a deal?  I haven’t done a poll in a while, so I’ll make that this week’s poll question.

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Unfortunately, Ferrera did not win; that honor went to Tina Fey (30 Rock).  Also, the cast lost out to the cast of The Office (although I cheer for Ugly Betty, The Office cast deserves recognition).

Some other notable television category winners:

Male Actor in a Drama Series: James Gandolfini (Sopranos)
Female Actor in a Drama Series: Edie Falco (Sopranos)
Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Ensemble in a Drama Series: Sopranos

For the complete list of winners, go here.

The Ugly Betty cast (especially the women) shined and were quite stunning, dressed to the nines.  I thought Vanessa Williams was especially dazzling in her yellow Escada gown.  Stay tuned, there are some great red carpet pics I’ll be sharing soon. 

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