49th Writers Guild of America Awards
The 49th Writers Guild of America Awards, given on 16 March 1997, honored the best writers of screen and television of 1996.Film
' Fargo - Joel and Ethan Coen
Jerry Maguire - Cameron CroweLone Star - John SaylesSecrets & Lies - Mike LeighShine'' - Jan Sardi and Scott Hicks' Sling Blade - Billy Bob Thornton
Emma - Douglas McGrathThe Birdcage - Elaine MayThe English Patient - Anthony MinghellaTrainspotting'' - John HodgeTelevision
Best Episodic Drama
' Girl Talk - NYPD Blue - Theresa Rebeck and Bill Clark
Aftershock - Law & Order - Janis Diamond and Michael S. ChernuchinSavages - Law & Order - Morgan Gendel, Barry M. Schkolnick and Michael S. ChernuchinTrophy - Law & Order - Jeremy R. Litman, Ed Zuckerman and Michael S. ChernuchinPilot - Murder One - Charles H. Eglee, Channing Gibson, Steven Bochco and David MilchFalsies - Party of Five - Mark B. PerryClyde Bruckman's Final Repose'' - The X Files - Darin Morgan' The Pool Guy - Seinfeld - David Mandel
The Soup Nazi - Seinfeld - Spike FerestenThe Sponge - Seinfeld - Peter MehlmanEight'' - The Larry Sanders Show - Peter Tolan