MTV's 'Ridiculousness' Workers Unanimously Vote To Unionize

TV & Film

Sep 15

Ridiculousness poster — Image Source: IMDb

Reality television is often assumed to be no-holds-barred, unscripted chaos. Ally Maynard, MTV’s Ridiculousness consulting producer explained the reality behind “reality” television at the Nonfiction Coalition West Coast Solidarity Picket on August 15 at Paramount Studios. “As reality writers, a lot of people don’t know, these shows are scripted. Unscripted reality television is scripted. We’re sick of studios being allowed to use unscripted TV to plug the gaps when scripted shows unionize. Next time a strike happens, if we have to do this again years down the road, unscripted, they’re not going to be able to rely on that anymore.”

A WGA West spokesperson said back in July that the staffers were looking for “parity with their peers in the industry and respect for their work.” Ryan Connor, Ridiculousness staffer and organizing committee member said in a statement that he as well as his colleagues voted in favor of joining the Writers Guild of America West by the widest possible margin, 100%. This result really matters given the scare tactics used by the company in an attempt to disempower us and break our unity.” Connor went on to say that they “expect the NLRB will certify the election results next week, and we call on the company to do the right thing and give us a fair deal.”