Old writers (over 40) settle age discrimination suit against networks, talent agencies

To be honest, I never thought this lawsuit would get anywhere when I first heard about it several years ago. Writers of a certain age suing TV networks, production companies, and talent agencies? Yeah, good luck with that.

But it turns out I was wrong. The various companies have settled an age discrimination suit brought by 165 veteran writers (yes, over 40!) of some of your favorite TV shows, including M*A*S*H, Maude, Knot's Landing, All in the Family, Kojak, Falcon Crest, and many others. The plaintiffs get $70M.

The lawsuit charged that the networks, studios, and agencies (which included ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The WB, UPN, Columbia Tri-Star Television, Dreamworks TV, Touchstone, Spelling Television, Carsey-Warner, Regency, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, UTA, the William Morris Agency, and others) didn't hire them because of their age (and when they did hire them didn't push their work enough).

As a 44 year-old writer, this makes me happy.

[via TV Tattle]