FROM JENNIFER LENHART: On Monday, December 17, I headed up to the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle in Manhattan to cover the Writers Guild of America strikers' picket line. I was supposed to be meeting up with ATWT Script Editor Courtney Simon (who also occasionally plays Oakdale's resident shrink, Dr. Michaels) and her daughter, AMC Script Writer Kate Hall, so I asked the first strike captain I could find if she would bring me to the WGA publicist. She obliged, but as soon as we found her, the publicist revealed that it was Simon herself who had served as my escort — thanks to her sunglasses, scarf and giant furry hat, I hadn't even recognized her! That happened a lot during my time on the picket line; it should be noted that the wind chill was about 10 degrees from noon to 2, so everyone was bundled up. I even had trouble identifying the soap stars who showed up and apparently Steve Martin was there, but which random guy in a parka was he? No idea. I, however, was totally unprepared for the weather (aside from my puffy coat): Simon scolded me for not wearing gloves (my fingers got so frozen I had trouble working the video camera after awhile), while Catherine Hickland (Lindsay, OLTL) wondered where my hat was (I had a hood, which also impeded with filming). At least it was sunny! It was amazing how many actors braved the elements to show their support, including: OLTL's Michael Easton (John), Robin Strasser (Dorian), Kassie DePaiva (Blair), Trevor St. John (Todd), Kamar de los Reyes (Antonio), Melissa Archer (Natalie), Forbes March (Nash), Bree Williamson (Jessica), Hillary B. Smith (Nora), Ilene Kristen (Roxie), Jerry verDorn (Clint), BethAnn Bonner (Talia) and Hickland; GL's Kim Zimmer (Reva), Grant Aleksander (ex-Phillip, GL), Marj Dusay (Alex) and Tina Sloan (Lillian); ATWT's Don Hastings (Bob), Ellen Dolan (Margo) and Terri Garber (Iris); AMC's Jill Larson (Opal), Julia Barr (ex-Brooke) and Mark LaMura (ex-Mark, AMC et al). It was also cool to see people like SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE's Seth Meyers and a lot of the Comedy Central writers, walking on "Daytime Day" just like they do every day. The most awesome part, for me? At one point, I sensed someone behind me while I was filming and turned around: it was Michael Emerson, who plays creepy Ben on LOST, lurking outside the barricade — and it totally freaked me out! Here are some highlights from the front line. (And if you're wondering why I got no exciting strike chant footage, it's because, according to Simon, "they've found that writers don't do chanting." Good to know!)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!

After you watch the video, check out this interview with OLTL Head Writer Ron Carlivati, who was one of many writers there. For more reactions, be sure to pick up our issue on sale 1/1.