The Writers Guild of America (WGA) says that they are willing to negotiate the past the Sunday expiry of their contract with the studios, as it doesn't appear that a deal will be done before the deadline, according to published reports. But the studios are anxious to resolve the discussions well in advance of the May 17th "upfront" meetings where networks and advertisers negotiate advertising rates for the upcoming TV season.

The WGA claims a strike fund of $10.1 million, and insists its publication of the figure isn't "saber-rattling." We agree, preferring the much more evocative "big dick swinging."