Chris Albers And Tom Fontana To Receive WGA Richard B. Jablow Award





(Albers, top, Fontana, bottom via wgaeast)

The Writers Guild of America, which had a wild 2008, announced a few hours ago that Late Night with Conan O'Brien writer Chris Albers and Oz creator Tom Fontana have been selected to receive the Writers Guild of America, East’s (WGAE) Richard B. Jablow Award for devoted service to the Guild. One of the beautiful things about the strike, which The Corsair covered for FishbowlNY, is that it brought a political awareness and sense of unity among the writers -- who otherwise pursue a rather solitary muse -- working in television here on the East Coast, particularly. Many of those writers, children of union organizers and workers, had an opportunity to participate in the same activities that their parents did decades previous. And the stories, friendships and romances that came out of the strike were quite touching.

The Richard B. Jablow Award honors the first counsel, recognizing devoted service to the Guild. From the press release:

"Chris Albers served as president and Tom Fontana as vice president of the Writers Guild of America, East from 2005 - 2007. As a team, they were instrumental in bringing the Writers Guild, East and Writers Guild, West together, brokering the agreement that ended an extended period of hostility between the two unions. The guidelines established under this agreement ensured the unions would work as partners going forward.

"'Chris Albers and Tom Fontana personify what the Jablow Award is about – service and dedication to the Writers Guild, East, and its membership. During their tenure as president and vice president, the two helped bring the Guild into the 21st century with a bold initiative to restore harmony and unity with our colleagues in the Writers Guild of America, West. This effort reaped enormous benefits during our 100-day strike when Chris and Tom, although officially out of office, continued to serve their union as strike captains, intermediaries, communicators and invaluable advisors,' said Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America, East."

The Jablow Award has been around since 1978. Past recipients of the Jablow Award include: Ryan's Hope co-creator Claire Labine, Warren Leight and Michael Winship. Albers and Fontana will receive their awards on February 7 at New York City ’s Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel during their 61st Annual Awards Ceremony.