‘Eternal Sunshine,’ ‘Sideways’ Honored

Two dark romantic comedies, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Sideways,” won top honors Saturday at the 57th annual Writers Guild Awards.

In the category of original screenplay, Charlie Kaufman picked up the Writers Guild of America award for “Eternal Sunshine,” the quirky tale of a couple who take drastic measures to put their tumultuous relationship behind them. Kaufman, who is also nominated for an Oscar, was in competition with the screenwriters of “The Aviator,” “Garden State,” “Hotel Rwanda” and “Kinsey.”

Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor continued their winning streak, taking the honors in the adapted screenplay category for their take on Rex Pickett’s novel, “Sideways,” about two friends who take a trip to Santa Barbara wine country.

The pair have won the vast majority of critics’ honors and won a Golden Globe award last month. The duo, who are also nominated for an Oscar, were in competition with the screenwriters of “Before Sunset,” “Mean Girls,” “Million Dollar Baby” and “Motorcycle Diaries.”

A WGA award doesn’t necessarily translate into Oscar gold. Last year, only one WGA feature film winner, “Lost in Translation,” went on to win an Oscar, for best original screenplay. Two years ago, Michael Moore won the WGA honor for original screenplay for “Bowling for Columbine” but failed to receive an Academy Award nomination for the film in that category.

Awards took place simultaneously Saturday at the Hollywood Palladium and Pierre Hotel in New York City.

Winners in the television category:

Original long form: “Something the Lord Made,” written by Peter Silverman and Robert Caswell (HBO).

Adapted long form: “Angels in America,” teleplay by Tony Kushner, based on the play by Kushner (HBO).

Episodic drama: “The Supremes” (“The West Wing”), written by Debora Cahn (NBC).

Episodic comedy (a tie): “Pier Pressure” (“Arrested Development”), written by Jim Vallely & Mitchell Hurwitz (Fox); “Ida’s Boyfriend” (“Malcolm in the Middle”), written by Neil Thompson (Fox).

Animation: “Catch ‘em if You Can” (“The Simpsons”), written by Ian Maxtone-Graham (Fox).

Comedy/variety -- music, awards, tributes, specials, any length: “The Kennedy Center Honors,” written by George Stevens Jr. and Sara Lukinson (CBS).

Comedy/variety (including talk) series: “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” written by Mike Sweeney, Chris Albers, Jose Arroyo, Andy Blitz, Kevin Dorff, Dan Goot, Michael Gordon, Brian Kiley, Michael Koman, Demetri Martin, Brian McCann, Guy Nicolucci, Conan O’Brien, Allison Silverman, Robert Smigel, Brian Stack and Andrew Weinberg (NBC).

Daytime serials: “Guiding Light,” written by David Kreizman, Tita Bell, Joyce Brotman, Christopher Dunn, Lloyd Gold, Kimberly Hamilton, Jill Lorie Hurst, Penelope Koechl, Eleanor Labine, Royal Miller, Casandra Morgan, Danielle Paige, David Smilow, Gillian Spencer, Brett Staneart, Donna Swajeski, and Ellen Weston (CBS).

Children’s script: “A Separate Peace,” teleplay by Wendy Kesselman, based on the novel by John Knowles (Showtime).