Dozens of the biggest names in scripted television today signed an open letter to Tyler Perry after the Writers Guild filed charges of unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relatios Board on Thursday after he allegedly fired more than half his writing staff on the TBS sitcom House Of Payne because of their union activity, and bargained in bad faith with the Hollywood guild. Now the WGA is picketing his studio:
This season, scripted television programming will consist of about 150 shows employing 1,200 writers.
Of that universe, 149 shows and 1,193 writers will produce shows covered by the Writers Guild’s Minimum Basic Agreement. The MBA guarantees minimum compensation, residuals, health coverage, and pension in addition to other benefits.
The big exception? Tyler Perry's House of Payne and the seven writers who, collectively, played a key role in producing over 100 episodes of one of television's most successful sitcoms.
Right now, these seven writers are in a struggle with you, the producer of House of Payne, to extend Guild coverage to the show. This past Monday, after months of negotiations with the Guild, four of the writers were abruptly and illegally fired because of their efforts to secure the same minimums and benefits as their peers.
We all know that producing television is a tough and uncertain business. But some things are simply not acceptable.
We have a simple ask – reinstate the writers and make a fair deal with WGA.
Respectfully,
Rich Appel, The Cleveland Show
Lee Aronsohn, Two & a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory
Rene Balcer, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Alan Ball, True Blood
Carol Barbee, Swingtown
Carter Bays, How I Met Your Mother
Ed Bernero, Criminal Minds
Jenny Bicks, Men in Trees, Sex and the City
John Bowman, Frank TV, Martin, In Living Color
Shane Brennan, NCIS
Marc Cherry, Desperate Housewives
Alan Cohen, Held Up
Elizabeth Craft, Dollhouse
Bob Daily, Desperate Housewives
Elias Davis, WGAW Secretary Treasurer
Gary Dontzig, Murphy Brown, Suddenly Susan, Becker, Hannah Montana
Sarah Fain, Dollhouse
Kevin Falls, Journeyman
Michele Fazekas, Reaper
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Larry Gelbart, M*A*S*H
Mike Gibbons, Talk Show with Spike Feresten
David A. Goodman, Family Guy
Glenn Gordon Caron, Medium, Now and Again, Moonlighting
John Gray, Ghost Whisperer
Walon Green, Canterbury’s Law
Marc Guggenheim, Eli Stone
Hart Hanson, Bones
Warren Hutcherson, Everybody Hates Chris, The Bernie Mac Show
Michael Jamin, Glenn Martin
Al Jean, The Simpsons
Mike Kelley, Swingtown
Anne Kenney, Greek
Bill Lawrence, Scrubs, Spin City
Michael Leeson, Bill Engvall Show, The Cosby Show
Steve Levitan, Just Shoot Me
Chuck Lorre, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory
Bill Martin, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life
Chris McGuire, Mind of Mencia
Carol Mendelsohn, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY
Ted Mulkerin, Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Peter Murietta, Wizards of Waverly Place
Marti Noxon, Mad Men, Private Practice
John Peaslee, Operating Instructions
Steve Peterman, Hannah Montana
Clyde Phillips, Dexter
Judd Pillot, Operating Instructions
Bill Prady, The Big Bang Theory
Matt Pyken, Knight Rider
Michael Rauch, Love Monkey, Beautiful People, Life is Wild
Andrew Reich, Friends
Shonda Rhimes, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice
Shawn Ryan, The Shield, The Unit
David Sacks, Lewis Black's Root of All Evil
Steve Skrovan, ’Til Death
Mike Schiff, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life
Robin Schiff, former WGAW Board Member
Gary Scott Thompson, Knight Rider, Las Vegas
Chris Sheridan, Family Guy
Amy Sherman-Palladino, Gilmore Girls
David Simkins, Warehouse 13, The Dresden Files, The Book of Daniel
Robert Singer, Supernatural
Dan Sterling, The Sarah Silverman Program
Matt Tarses, Worst Week
Alison Taylor, Just Jordan
Betsy Thomas, My Boys
Eric Tuchman, Kyle XY
Marc Warren, Cory in the House
Michael Warren, Happy Days, Family Matters, Hanging with Mr. Cooper
Matthew Weiner, Mad Men
Dan Wilcox, M*A*S*H, Newhart, Growing Pains, WGAW Board Member
Larry Wilmore, former WGAW Board Member, The Bernie Mac Show
Until the other unions, especially SAG and AFTRA pressure him, this type of letter won’t make any difference. Perry is a one-man shop for writing and directing services. If he could figure out a way to get mainstream audiences in to watch him perform all the parts he’d do that as well. The guy made his fortune keeping creative costs low and retaining ownership, he’s got an appetite for it. Fingers crossed he’ll step up.
Comment by GoodforSAG — October 4, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
Tyler Perry is an embarrassment. A successful one for sure, but an embarrassment to African Americans and writers.
(I support the writers in this action, but Jesus Christ, can “The House of Payne” be more stereotypical? Please tell me all those writers aren’t black. It’d make me feel better)
Comment by peggy — October 4, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
This is really interesting. He’s a guy who made something out of nothing. Now he probably feels like he has a hundred leeches hanging off him. What decides the moral issue here is whatever conversations happened with the founding writers of the show, at the time they were hired, about the WGA issue. Also, whether the WGA even noticed or cared about this show at that time. If the WGA could step up and detail their organizing efforts (if any) of several years ago, that would clear the air.
Comment by Sujata — October 4, 2008 @ 11:24 pm
I’m glad these showrunners are doing this, but where is there moral indignation and protest about Fremantle hiding its writers under bullshit titles to get around giving them industry standard benefits and compensation. All writers deserve to be supported by these showrunners. It’s all written.
Comment by Shana — October 4, 2008 @ 11:31 pm
I gave Perry props in a previous posting, but this is inexcusable.
I’m sure he’s looking at his kingdom and thinking, “Hmmm… I couldpay all of those people - the people who helped me get to where I am today - for their limitless dedication and talent, or I could just keep the money for myself and buy a bigger house. After all a $500M net worth isn’t enough for me. Why would I share the spoils with ‘those people’ if I don’t have to?”
Dude, you have to.
Your sitcom and stories are about family? Well, these people are your family (you cheeep bastid). If you continue to be cheap (and if you’re not forced to share the wealth), you’ll sit all alone in your castle on the hilltop, counting your money, wondering why nobody of caliber wants to work with/for you - or even talk to you.
Take the dress off, man up and do the right thing.
__________________________
This will not be the last
Comment by Ace — October 5, 2008 @ 12:06 am
Wow! “…an embarrassment to African Americans…”. That is racist! This is about a showrunner and his writing staff, NOT race, PEGGY! Tyler Perry does not embarrass me. Your racist comment is an embarrassment. You actually post that?! This is not a shining moment for him, however, his peers have spoken and I hope he responds. But, he is not an embarrassment to African Americans.
Comment by Black Person — October 5, 2008 @ 1:30 am
i’m still amazed by the so-called success of “House of Payne”, it’s got to be the worst sitcom on tv right now, and they’ve made more than 100 episodes already!? how cheap is this show? shocking.
Comment by DB — October 5, 2008 @ 1:59 am
Tyler Perry is an asshole for firing his writers like this.
HOWEVER, why the fuck were WGA writers working on a non union show????? That’s blatantly against the rules of the WGA and yet the WGA is supporting these writers. WHY????
Comment by Crystal Diane Stevens — October 5, 2008 @ 8:17 am
It’s good to see the showrunners, past and present, come together and take the time to do this.
Do the right thing, Tyler.
Comment by Macy — October 5, 2008 @ 10:16 am
Everyone knew this was going on, why the uproar now? Bandwagon I guess. Why anyone would want their name on this piece of shit show I have no clue. Question, is he paying SAG fringes on the cast?
Comment by joe x — October 5, 2008 @ 11:44 am
“The Black Person” said this is not a race issue. I AGREE. Brilliant comment and well put! Peggy… I hope you heard that.
Perry is an amazing guy… he’s accomplished what so many of us only dream to accomplish. And I have nothing but respect and admiration for him (the dress is getting old, though). But… Tyler… you’re making a bad move here. The industry is self-regulating to some degree… kind of like the Inquisition in the good old days… but there is no subtly in this move on your part, Tyler (can I call you Tyler?). This isn’t rocket science, it’s just simple labor relations. Yeah, I hope SAG/AFTRA heard that one! Just to the right thing. Just ask yourself this… “What would Oprah do?” (God, I hope she hasn’t advised you on this!)
Comment by The White Guy — October 5, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
I’m racist? Tyler Perry traded on the oldest black stereotype around, “The Mammy”. The outspoken, aggressive, obese, dark skinned, non-feminine black woman. He used that stereotype to get rich. Hollywood had been cowed into not using it, so Tyler saw a chance and ran with it. Sure it was all black audiences that made him rich. Just like it was redneck audiences that made Jeff Foxworthy rich. But in both instances, those audiences are a minority. A good number of African Americans are embarrassed by the early Perry stuff. He’s gone mainstream now, he’s not cross dressing like he used to. But the house of Payne is the worst, most racist show I’ve seen since Stephin Fetchet. Now he’s rich and famous and in a position to help minority writers and what does he do? Act like a Tan Louis B. Mayer. Tyler’s trying to go after those Middle class African Americans now. And I’m sure he’ll get em, but it won’t be while wearing a dress because those women aren’t having it.
Comment by peggy — October 5, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
Tyler Perry is a sissy.
Comment by zackery — October 6, 2008 @ 12:27 am
Grow a pair, showrunners, and stand up for reality writers.
Comment by Jason — October 7, 2008 @ 9:17 am
They should write a letter to him asking him to stop producing insulting, stereotypical crap and give back every penny of the money he stole from his “fans.”
Comment by JR — October 8, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
I dont understand whats all the fuss about Tyler firing people, this happens all the time everywhere. Give the man a break, the fact that he’s open about his life and accomplishments doesnt mean he’s some god cos it seems people expect to hear only good things about him. Like Jesus said, “let the one who has no sin cast the first stone” to the crowd that wanted to stone a prostitute. What i’m saying is peole must get their facts first before you start making accusations cos i truly believe he had a valid reason for firing those writers. By the way, the man is running a business not a charity, i too would fire a non-performer.
Comment by Maggie — October 25, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
I just want to believe that this is not true, whatever i am reading cant be true.
See i realy have a problem who think they could juust hide under other people’s wings and make it to the top, its crazy.
hellow; go through your own process because everybody has got a process of life and leave TYLER alone. He is aa good Man, and believe me no non-sense said is gonna make me see him other wise.
Comment by Fuma — October 30, 2008 @ 2:03 am