Sit Down dispute settled
The contract issues on Sit Down Shut Up have been resolved with all but two writers sticking with the project.
Creator Mitch Hurwitz and co-showrunner Josh Weinstein are staying. The writers on the US adaptation of the Aussie sitcom have ended a five-week walkout that put the future of the series in jeopardy.
Co-showrunner Bill Oakley has declined the deal and departed the series. The scribes who have agreed to the new contracts have to sign them by Friday.
Sony indicated they are “happy that the writers have agreed to return to work.”
At the heart of the dispute was which union, WGA or IATSE, should have jurisdiction over the show.
According to a letter sent out by the returning writers, the show will still be produced under the jurisdiction of IATSE but their contacts will include WGA-comparable terms in such key areas as residuals, new-media script fees and merchandising rights.
The original series about self-centred teachers had a short run on Network TEN with a cast including Stephen Curry, Marg Downey and Kane Taylor.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
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So, who has the rights to Sit Down, then? My guess is 10 although I could be wrong.
It would make sense though since they could air a 2 hour block of animated shows come next year.