Is there a way to make the safe areas grid showup on a rendered avi clip upon export?

Not that I'm aware of.
You'd have to create your own mask(s) with either Generated Media or your favourite paint program.

Thanks, Mike.

Yup, that's what I ended up doing. I just thought that in the future I might not have to make my own overlays (for center cut too). Clients want to see on WIP clips that a spot will work within both TV formats. Some want the outside areas shaded, others don't... I was hoping that a collection of overlays already might exist somewhere here.