Former WGA West Awards Host to Headline Fundraiser for Striking Staff
On March 1, the Writers Guild of America West told members that it had made the dramatic decision to cancel its annual awards show, set to be hosted by fast-rising comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, amid a bitter labor dispute with its striking staff. The union explained at the time that it wouldn’t force its members to cross a picket line to enter the ceremony. Now, the would-be host of that show is headlining a new event: this one in support of the union’s striking staff. The Writers Guild Staff Union (WGSU) announced on Thursday that Okatsuka had been added to the lineup of a comedy fundraiser for their efforts taking place on Sunday at Echo Park’s Bar Bandini. Okatsuka, who is a member of the WGA herself, is set to appear at the WGSU event alongside fellow performers Andrea Jin, Naomi Ekperigin, Jared Logan, Solomon Georgio, Bryan Cook and David Venhuizen. ”I’m a union girl,” Okatsuka told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement. ”We’re only as strong as the people behind the scenes!! We’re one unit, …
