Actors dread strike possibility

Basking in their moment in the sun, Emmy nominees on Thursday seemed to think that an actors strike would be avoided, largely because there isn’t enough collective support for one in a town already battered by the writers strike.

At the same time, some were apprehensive that, without a strike, actors would lose out in negotiations with the major Hollywood studios.

“I guess I’m pessimistically hopeful,” said Bryan Cranston, nominated for his role in “Breaking Bad,” summing up the prevailing mood.

“I hope cooler and smarter heads prevail and that they’ll lock themselves in a hotel room and work it out,” he said.

The Screen Actors Guild talks with the studios are in a stalemate. SAG contends the proposed contract doesn’t adequately address the key issues of DVD residuals and Internet coverage. Work has already slowed down in anticipation of a possible strike. Still, “it doesn’t feel as desperate as it did on the eve of the writers strike,” said John Slattery, nominated for outstanding supporting actor in the drama series “Mad Men.”

Many felt the writers strike had taken too heavy a toll. “The state of California can’t handle another strike. The state of our industry, TV, can’t handle one either,” said Kyra Sedgwick, nominated for her role in “The Closer.” “It’s sad because it’s important and because we have really valid issues, but we don’t have the support behind us to move forward with a bold move like a strike.”

“Dexter’s” Michael C. Hall agreed. “We’re in a climate in terms of the economy and in terms of the TV industry where there isn’t a great deal of collective support for a strike. I’m standing here at work right now and looking at these crew members who can’t afford to take a hit. It’s unfortunate.”

America Ferrera, nominated for her lead actress role in “Ugly Betty,” said she didn’t want to see her friends and crew members have “to take another hit this year. I don’t think that would be good for anybody really.”

“I hope wisdom will prevail,” said actor Kevin Spacey, who was nominated for his performance in HBO’s “Recount.” “It’s a three-year contract. If you don’t like it in three years, it can be renegotiated. . . . Let’s get over the incredible losses of the writers strike.”

He said he hoped the SAG leaders would “do the right thing” and put the proposals before the union’s membership for a vote, without a recommendation

Some expressed regret over the split between the two actors’ unions, SAG and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which has already negotiated its own deal. “We should be a band of brothers,” Sedgwick said. “If anything, there should be a union for actors and a union for reality TV. It’s crazy.”

The studios and SAG have not decided when discussions will resume. However, the studios have said there would be no retroactive payments if SAG does not ratify an agreement by Aug. 15.

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lynn.smith@latimes.com

Times staff writers Matea Gold and Nicole Loomis and special correspondent Denise Martin contributed to this report.