SAG-Producers AGREE!

...that their long, nightmarish fustercluck is finally over.

The Screen Actors Guild has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with a coalition of major Hollywood movie and television studios, the two sides announced Friday.

People close to the talks, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the union’s board of directors has not yet reviewed the proposal, said that the agreement provides the actors with no substantial gains over contracts previously signed by other show-business guilds.

The actors union achieved one major goal, however: a proposed contract that would expire in June 2011, at roughly the same time as those of the unions representing writers, directors and other television personalities.

So after nine months of dicking around, nine months of huffing and puffing and all-night executive board sessions and Alan Rosenberg doing everything short of rending his garments and throwing himself on Doug Allen's funeral pyre, SAG ends up with the DGA, WGA, IATSE and AFTRA deal. What a freaking surprise. You could knock me over with a Toyota Corolla.

So ... why did this happen?

Because. SAG. Had. Minimal. Leverage.

And it was getting less leverage all the time. It took actors who weren't clinging to a beautiful but unachievable fantasy to understand this and bring a deal to fruition, but better late than never, I always say.

Now, assuming the SAG board gives its blessing and the SAG membership votes "Yes" in sufficient numbers, we are in the clear until 2011.

I hope.