TV Writers

But hiring experienced writers to guide new-show creators comes with risks

The star and creator of the hit HBO show on set in New York

Once obscure, head writers of TV shows are becoming stars in their own right

Earl Pomerantz has a really fascinating post on the question of ageism in the hiring of TV writers (Via Will). He notes that despite the recent victory by older TV writers who won a settlement from a major agency, it’s just not a simple question of discrimination: when advertisers and networks are mostly interested in reaching younger viewers, and when the style of television has changed, there’s a legitimate argument to be made that younger writers can best deliver what the networks/advertisers want. Of course, as he also goes on to argue, the networks and advertisers are being short-sighted by bypassing the older viewers who still like their product for the young viewers who aren’t that into network television.