Writers Guild West Launches Attempt to Unionize MTV's 'Ridiculousness' Amid Strike

As thousands of its members remain on strike, the Writers Guild of America West is attempting to organize staffers at MTV’s long-running comedy show devoted to viral Internet videos, Ridiculousness. On Wednesday, July 12, 11 full-time “creative consultants” (the WGA West did not offer specific job titles but said many had that phrase associated with their roles) on the Rob Dyrdek-hosted show filed a petition for a National Labor Relations Board election in an attempt to organize with the western branch of the writers’ union. According to the union, the staffers initially asked for voluntary recognition from management after a number signed union cards, a request that was denied. The WGA West said in a statement that the staffers are seeking “parity with their peers in the industry and respect for their work” with the union drive. The union considers Ridiculousness comparable to pre-existing covered projects including America’s Funniest Home Videos and Tosh.0, and its creative consultants comedy-variety writers. The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to lawyers representing Purple Shark, LLC, a subsidiary of Dyrdek and Shane Nickerson’s Superjacket Productions, for comment. Multiple attempts to get in touch with representatives for the companies did not yield a response as of
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