The Stars Are Back--For Now

It's back to work for the stars of CBS primetime.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation actors George Eads (Nick Stokes) and Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows) were among the CBS stars that spoke to ET Online after returning to work once the writers' strike was over. The pair talked about how they spent their time during the work stoppage. "I got a puppy," Helgenberger said. "That's been fun. [I] was able to spend a lot of time just being at home and cooking with my son." As for her CSI costar, Eads explained that he used the time off a little differently. "I lowered my golf handicap," he said.

The stars seemed glad to return to work, but Hollywood is preparing for a repeat of the strike situation. The contract between the studios and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) expires on June 30, and the studios have decided to play it safe. Movies aren't being given the green light if they won't be finished before the June 30 deadline. While the studios are keeping an eye on projects just in case, many believe that it's unlikely the industry will have to deal with another strike so soon.

There has been pressure from members of the guild and members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), SAG's sister union, to begin negotiations as soon as possible. According to SAG president Alan Rosenberg, the union won't be ready to begin formal talks with the studios before April. In the meantime, Rosenberg and SAG Executive Director Doug Allen have suggested that informal talks are already underway as they make preparations for the start of formal negotiations.

The video with Eads and Helgenberger can be watched on ET Online. The original article about the studios bracing for a potential SAG strike is from Reuters.

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