In Regards To New Osbourne Show, Tensions Stirring Up Within The WGA

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The last we heard about the Writers Guild of America (WGA), we ended up seeing our favorite shows finishing their respective seasons early. I myself was not too thrilled about season two of Heroes finishing after eleven episodes. That was due to the impending WGA strike that took place January of this year. Luckily, the strike ended up getting resolved.

Now, there are possible new tensions with the WGA in regards to a new variety show by Ozzy Osbourne and his family. It would be produced by the same people that produced “American Idol.”

Not too long ago, Osbourne and his family had their own reality TV show on MTV.

Apparently, the WGA was in talks with Fremantle Media North America. Fremantle is the company that is producing the said show. However, the WGA is not happy with the contract it has been offered. Fremantle wants the group to accept a contract in which this variety show is “half-scripted.” In writer speak, it would mean that half of the stuff would be scripted and possibly the other half would be improvised.

What that means, WGA writers for the show would get paid reduced fees for coming up with the skits, scene outlines and everything else for the show. This is what WGA West President Patric M. Verrone and WGA East President Michael Winship have said.

According to David Shall, an executive with Freemantle, this is supposed to be a hybrid show. For the most part, it is supposed to be a combination of a reality TV show and a variety show. This is an interesting aspect.

Still, the WGA is not happy with the contract it was asked to accept. Shall explains that Fremantle is disappointed with the outcome of the talks. It has also been revealed that the WGA has had a grudge against Fremantle for the longest time. So far, Fremantle is known to produce numerous reality TV shows that use non-Guild writers.

According to the WGA, writers and other workers face usually poor and illegal conditions in the workplace.

With all that said, the WGA definitely has a huge bone to pick with Fremantle. The group recently sent a letter to deter its writers from working on the new show. However, it also extends to productions by Tyler Perry.

On a separate case, there is a dispute between the WGA and Tyler Perry due to allegations of unfair labor practices. Tyler Perry is most known for his role of Mabel “Medea” Simmons.

Perry is known for his theatrical, film, and TV works. A good portion of Perry's movies were adapted from his theatrical productions.

Overall, the WGA has several bones to pick with Fremantle and Perry. In short, we can expect more tensions to stir up within the WGA. Perhaps there will be a future major clash between the WGA and the producers of such reality TV shows.