151 WRITERS SUE... UPDATE!

[DUCPHO]

If you are a working writer that feels you have been discriminated against based on your age, please note that the California Court of Appeals recently reversed a prior ruling against 51 writers who brought suit against leading Producers, Talent Agencies and Television Networks in 2000 and which was dismissed in 2002.

They now have been joined by an additional 100 working writers.

One "Friends" producer recently stated that "once a writer had reached 30 they couldn't do it anymore!" Those involved know who this pompous ass was!

Ann Marcus, one of the original writers who brought the suit stated in response, "I didn't have to be a dog to write for "Lassie"!:lol

If you have an ax to grind on this issue contact The AARP Foundation and ask to speak to Attorney Paul Sprenger!:smokin

[DUCPHO]

Ultimately the outcome of this suit could affect 6.000or more unemployed or underemployed older writers.

Now pending before the California Supreme Court, this particular suit serves as an umbrella for 23 separate class action suits brought against all the studios and firms such as Phillip Morris.

Writers involved in the litigation now include Tracy Wynn(son of Keenen Wynn) and author of such features as the "Autobiography of Jane Pittman" and the "Longest Yard"...Burt Prelutsky, writer for the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Family Ties"... Larry Gelbert(creator of "Mash")... Cecile Alch,writer for "Cheers"!

The only way to avoid age discrimination in Hollywood is to die young!...Larry Gelbart/"Mash"!:smokin

Larry nailed it! Some of the best and most creative talent in Hollywood is being locked out because a "bedazzled" echelon of new executives, with the creative capacity of a "slug", are now calling the shots in many major decision making positions.

The machine's cranking... but what's it churning out?:eek

[DUCPHO]

UPDATE-The California Supreme Court ruled against a defendant brought petition, in which the defendants, the studios-networks, etc., sought to have the Class Action Suit, filed by 151 working writers, dismissed... so now it goes to trial!

Some very well known names will be testifying for the prosecution, writers, producers, network management(retired)!

Age discrimination is a problem , especially in the television industry!

Will post updates as they occur!:smokin

[A Pathetic Writer]

Are you old or something?

Will the writer of Spider-Man 2 testify that there's age discrimination?

He's 80.



In fact, let's look at all of last year's movies.

Shrek 2: Andrew Adamson, 39.
Passion of the Christ: Benedict Fitzgerald, 56
Meet the Fockers: James Herzfeld, at least 35, probably much older
The Incredibles: Brad Bird, at least 40, probably much older
Harry Potter 3: Steven Kloves, 45
The Day After Tomorrow: Roland Emmerich, 50.
Bourne Supremacy: Tony Gilroy -- I can't see his age, but he could be young. Maybe in his early 30s.
National Treasure: Jim Kouf, 54
The Polar Express: Robert Zemeckis, 53.

There you go. The top 10 films of 2004. ONE of them was written by someone who would not qualify for this completely bogus lawsuit.

These guys can't sell, and they're desperate for SOME reason, other than "other folks can writer stuff that sells better than you."

[vmf]

Of course, Sargent being Laura Ziskin's husband had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with his getting the Spider-man gigs? :lol

[reddery]

APW,

I wonder if TV writing is a different beast. Maybe this is where young writers start? But i can see how TV writers might feel like this as TV is always trying to much more hip or savvy.

[DUCPHO]

Most of the writer's can't write????

Every writer involved in this suit at one time or another was a working writer either in films or television!

But the "bogus suit" you refer to is based on what knowledge?

The 151 suing writers have all been working writers and many still write, but not at the level or perhaps salary that they once received?

If you know something more about the industry, especially television, than the 151 career writers suing, please elaborate, 151 writers are listening for your words of wisdom?