Both Nikki Finke and Cindy Adams are expressing optimism that the WGA strike is in its last throes and that the Academy Awards might actually happen. Finke predicted in December that the strike would end in time for the lucrative Oscar telecast. From DeadlineHollywoodDaily:

''I'm told the informal writer-mogul meetings are going 'in a positive direction' enough so that it's beginning to look possible for the Academy Awards to proceed normally. Friday's was an especially productive session, I've learned. 'I feel optimistic. In my opinion, today was productive and collaborative and respectful. I thought it was a very good day,' an insider told me.''

And Cindy Adams today predicts the strike ''should be over within two weeks.''

(image via deadlinehollywooddaily)