Warning: The Hollywood Reporter story I’m linking to here contains graphic comments about Joan Rivers’ continuing problems with union members involved in her “Fashion Police” show on the E! network. In a nutshell, Rivers was nearly expelled from the writers union over allegations she was creating material for her program while the union was on strike. Then there appeared to be a settlement. And now, pro-union forces are organizing against her again. Union members — as usual — are striking because they want more money and more benefits.
In an email to The Hollywood Reporter, a group called Friends of the Fashion Police Writers – which identifies itself as being composed of the striking writers plus supporters – asked, “Is WGAE President Michael Winship aware of the interview and Joan’s replies? Does Michael Winship plan to schedule a new hearing for Joan Rivers regarding possible disciplinary action and/or expulsion for lying to him and the WGAE? And if not, why not?”
The email added, “Joan Rivers is a hypocrite and must held accountable for the lies she tells while her writing staff continues to suffer.”
And this is all happening because Rivers evidently wrote for her own show. There was a time when unions played a legitimate role in improving working conditions that really were appalling and unjust in some industries. That time is well behind us. Today’s union movement exerts its muscle on things like going after Joan Rivers.
