Comedian Al Franken will host the Writer's Guild of America (WGA, East) 52nd Annual Awards in Manhattan. The annual awards ceremony, which attracts writers from theatre, film and television, recognizes writers' achievements in broadcasting. Scheduled for presentation on March 5 at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, the WGA awards have come to be recognized as a forum where creative peers can express insights and opinions on issues affecting writers in all fields.

The star of NBC's "Lateline" and "Saturday Night Live," best-selling author Al Franken will anchor an A-list of celebrity presenters including Danny Aiello ("Prince of Central Park" and Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing") Miguel Ferrer ("Robocop," "The Stand" and "Lateline") Peter Gallagher (Guys and Dolls, "Sex, Lies and Videotape," "The Man Who Knew Too Little" and "While You Were Sleeping") talk show host Charles Grodin ("Midnight Run" and "Clifford") author and journalist Pete Hamill, Cynthia Nixon (The Country Club, "Sex in the City") Andy Rooney ("60 Minutes") Erika Slezak ("One Life to Live") and Morley Safer ("60 Minutes"). Also scheduled to attend the festivities are Alec Baldwin, Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas, Judd Hirsch (A Thousand Clowns), Jason Robards, Paul Simon, Dick Schapp. The Writers Guild of America, East, will hold its ceremony at 6 PM on March 5 at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, while the Writers Guild of America, West holds its ceremony that same night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

-- By Murdoch McBride