'Ridiculousness' Writers Ask For Fair Compensation, Get Ghosted by Host and EP Rob Dyrdek
It’s time for the ridiculousness writers to get the contract they deserve, @robdyrdek. wgastrong pic.twitter.com/C8xJHc7N35
- Writers Guild of America West (@WGAWest) January 19, 2024
"On January 4, 2024, the writers of Ridiculousness asked host and executive producer Rob Dyrdek for his support for a fair contract," a video posted to Twitter explained. Ryan Connor, a writer on the show since 2013, added that they "just wanted to ask him for his support in our efforts of getting our first union contract."
Apparently, around 10 of the show's writers stormed Dyrdek's office, but were turned away. When they then called and left messages, "no one answered." Writer Lauren Blackwell pointed out that while they "love Ridiculousness" and "want this show to continue on for years to come, we just would like to be compensated fairly."
When the show first started in 2011, the staff was writing 30 episodes a year. With the success of the show, that's since been bumped up to 336. "All we're looking for is a fair deal," said the writers. "We deserve."
According to THR, the staffers unionized under the writers' strike resolution in September, but the Ridiculousness production has not responded to their negotiation attempts.
"We are currently compensated at a rate well below our peers writing for WGA-covered shows like Ridiculousness," passed out leaflets read. "While our workloads have increased substantially, our compensation has been stagnant."
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