age discrimination

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.

New Hampshire technology manger Joseph Hewett is suing Donald Trump and reality TV show producer Mark Burnett for age discrimination. At 49, Hewett was rejected from a 2005 run of The Apprentice based on his age. He is hoping to gain class-action status for his suit so that thousands of other rejected Apprentice applicants can join him as plaintiffs in the case.

In other news, The Real World is being sued by my grandma; my dog is filing a suit against America's Next Top Model; and my tone-deaf neighbor is taking Simon Cowell to court. Reality show rejects, let's get a couple of things straight. Nobody owes you a place on reality television. Last time I checked, it wasn't among our inalienable rights - life, liberty and the pursuit of unchecked narcissism. "You" make the cover of Time, and it goes straight to "your" head. As a rule, not meeting Donald Trump is probably a good thing so count your blessings before the Don fires back and calls you all "fatties" or something.