Fremantle Responds to American Idol Truth Tour
The Los Angeles Times ran an article today with a response from Fremantle, the producers of American Idol, toward the American Idol Truth Tour (sponsored by the Writer's Guild of America). The Tour asserts that Fremantle does not pay its employees overtime, forces them to work 16 hour days and 7 day weeks, and that no health coverage is given for this work... basically all violations of California Labor Laws. Fremantle executive vice president of business operations David Shall responded that the claims are not true and that "our position is that most of our reality shows and a good chunk of our game shows don't need writers." Good job saying that writers aren't important. See if any work for you again. And that statement says nothing about the labor law violations or the fact that this includes more than writers. Nice job trying your always lame "innocence by omission" tactic, Fremantle. We'd like a quote saying, "We do not violate California Labor Laws" just so it can be used against you in court later. Thanks much.
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I was at the SF auditions 2 days ago and the employees were handing us all flyers saying exactly this as we walked into the venue. Not really going to get far with 7 thousand people that would rather lose a leg than give up a shot at idolness.
Freemantle pretty much sounds like it sucks though. I guess I should be grateful I got rejected. :)
ATTENTION: Although this article mentions American Idol and writers, which may cause you to put two and two together and think that it's about the American Idol writers, this article is NOT about the American Idol writers!!!
NOTE: Everyone who decides to put two and two together is dumb and can't read.
Edit: Finally, the issue is clear!