A number of animation writers/producers who are members of the Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) have come out in support of fellow scribes who walked off of FOX’s new animated series, Sit Down, Shut Up. In a letter sent to fellow WGA members, The Simpsons producer Al Jean, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, Futurama co-creator David X. Cohen and a host of other top TV toon figures applaud the Sit Down, Shut Up writing staff’s decision to put down their pencils until Sony grants them a WGA contract. Thanks to Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood website for the notice.
Sit Down, Shut Up was scheduled to join FOX’s Sunday-night Animation Domination block this fall. The comedy is based on a live-action Australian sitcom and is being spearheaded by Mitch Hurwitz (Arrested Development), and written and produced by former Simpsons scribes Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein.The voice cast includes Arrested Development alumni Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Henry Wrinkler.
The letter reads:
To Our Fellow Writers:
We are writing to you regarding a new Fox primetime animated show called Sit Down, Shut Up, produced by Sony. We, the udersigned, are all members of the WGA who have written for animation, and created and run animated shows. And we’e done it under a WGA contract. Sony is refusing to give the writers a WGA contract for their work on the show and the writers are refusing to accept employment without one.
Sony should know that we applaud the actions of these writers. We would not work on this show and we will dissuade all other writers from taking these jobs if they are offered. We are all part of this fight, and we must stick together. We support the writers of Sit Down, Shut Up who stood up and spoke out.
Rich Appel, co-creator.showrunner, The Cleveland Show
Jonathan Aibel, former showrunner, King of the Hill
John Altschuler, creator/showrunner, The Goode Family
Mike Barker, executive producer, American Dad
Glenn Berger, former showrunner, King of the Hill
David X. Cohen, showrunner, Futurama
Jim Dauterive, co-showrunner, King of the Hill
David A. Goodman, showrunner, Family Guy
Al Jean, producer, The Simpsons
Dave Krinsky, creator/showrunner, The Goode Family
Seth MacFarlane, creator, Family Guy, American Dad, The Cleveland Show
David Mirkin, former showrunner, The Simpsons
Mike Reiss, former showrunner, The Simpsons
Mike Scully, producer, The Simpsons
Chris Sheridan, showrunner, Family Guy
Sam Simon, executive producer, The Simpsons
Garland Marie Testa, co-showrunner, King of the Hill
Matt Weitzman, co-creator, American Dad
David Zuckerman, former showrunner, Family Guy
