WGA to writers: Avoid 'Osbournes'

October 08, 2008 WGA leaders warned members Wednesday that working on the Osbourne clan's new comedy-variety show on Fox could put their membership with the guild on shaky ground. At issue with the WGA is the show's producers, FremantleMedia North America, who according to the union offered a "sub-standard contract" asking that writers be treated as if they were working on "half-scripted" shows, which would greatly reduce their writing fees. Loud and Dangerous, would traditionally be covered under the guild's basic agreement, used in the past for such shows as The Carol Burnett Show and Laugh-In, according to WGA West president Patric Verrone and WGA East president Michael Winship.

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