How is the current situation with the WGA strike reflected in the SAG Awards?
Connell: We’re very grateful to the writers’ guild that they’re allowing us to go on with the show with our union writer, especially in our 75th year. But because we’ve been working on this show for over a year, our plans have been in place. So we’re just doing our show. TV Guide: Was there a point, though, when you were freaking out? Connell: We hoped that we would be able to have our union writer who’s been working with us for the past 10 years, and we’re very fortunate to have him. TV Guide: This may be the only awards show that will air intact. Did that affect your process at all? Connell: No. As I said, this was a special show for us anyway because of the 75th, and it just continues to be. We’re just focused on doing the best show we know how. TV Guide: Do you expect the turnout to be the same as it would be any other year, regardless of the strike? Connell: We’ve always had an amazing turnout of actors — I think our percentage has always been 90 to 95 percent — and when you think
