Guild Launching "American Idol Truth Tour"
July 17, 2008 by Jeanne
Wow… the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is launching “The American Idol Truth Tour” which takes aim at Fremantle Media North America, the producer of Idol and a bunch of other reality television shows.
What’s the point? Well, as of today about 50 reality TV writers and supporters will be protesting the American Idol auditions in the various cities because they believe reality TV writers are treated poorly. “Time cards have been filled out often illegally, people are being asked to work through their lunch breaks . . . and work 15- to 20-hour days, frequently seven days a week,” said David Weiss, vice president of the Writers Guild of America West, at a rally outside their Los Angeles headquarters.
To read a more detailed account of this story, visit the LA Times site. Otherwise, what do you think? Should writers really be protesting over how they are treated on so-called reality TV programs? I mean, on American Idol for example, the contestants really do all of the work unless the scribes are the ones telling the Idol hopefuls to mess up their lyrics.
What do you think? I want to know!
image via americanidol.com
sounds like my last job. – My doctor would not let me off disability until they stopped scheduling me for 8 straight hours of meetings and give me a full workload. it lasted about a week before my boss started again, had to leave or die there.
It is not going to be easy, they will get some media attenton, ut most won’t care.
Total BS! I just worked for Idol and it was one of the best times I’ve ever had on ANY show. Not one issue and I’d work for them again in a heartbeat.
Want to add a comment, the days were actually VERY short compared to what I’m used to in the motion picture business. Movies and tv are another animal! Try working a low budget indy film where they work you 20 hours a day, then complain! The hours on Idol are beautiful compared to other shows!
Well, they say they are working 7 days a week, no overtime , no health insurance.
Having worked on TV and movies , yes, you can have worse hours and no health insurance, does that make it right NO!
With the kind of money Idol and Fremantle is making they can pay their people. Alfre Woodard is supporting them. It turns out it would cost Idol an extra 5,000 dollars to insure the people! Idol makes millions!
Watch this and decide for yourself people
http://www.truthaboutfremantle.com/