‘Ridiculousness’ Writers Achieve First Contract After Unionizing Under WGAW



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Ridiculousness writers have achieved their first contract after unionizing under WGAW.

Quick Facts

  • The writers of MTV’s Ridiculousness have secured their first contract after organizing under the Writers Guild of America West.
  • The deal covers all writing staff, including creative consultants, supervising producers, and the showrunner.
  • The agreement includes minimum compensation, residuals, pension and health benefits, full season employment guarantees, and regulation of AI-generated written material.

The writers of MTV’s Ridiculousness have successfully bargained their first contract after organizing under the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW). After the writers voted to organize last year, the union announced Wednesday that they had achieved a deal covering all writing staff, including creative consultants, supervising producers, and the showrunner. WGAW President Meredith Stiehm expressed pride in welcoming them into the union. The deal includes minimum compensation per the WGA Minimum Basic Agreement, residuals in basic cable and other reuse markets, WGA pension and health benefits, full season employment guarantees, regulation of the use of AI-generated written material, a grievance and arbitration procedure, and holiday pay. Additionally, all staffers will receive retroactive back pay, pension and health contributions, and residuals from October 23 to the present.

The writers also expressed their excitement about the new contract. Ridiculousness writer Ryan Conner stated, “We’re all thrilled with what we’ve won by sticking together and to finally be recognized for the value of our contribution to the show.” The writers held an election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in September 2023 to unionize under the WGA, seeking better working conditions, including improved pay and residuals.

Ridiculousness, hosted by Rob Dyrdek, has aired over 1,200 episodes across 34 seasons since its launch in 2011. The clip show is known for featuring various viral videos, with Dyrdek and his panelists mocking and reacting to them. The show has also spawned spinoffs, including Amazingness, Deliciousness, Adorableness, and Messyness.

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