The Writers Guild of America wants to boycott Ozzy Osbourne’s new show.

On Wednesday, the WGA warned all of its members not to work on Ozzy’s upcoming comedy/variety show on Fox.

The reason?

The show’s producer, FremantleMedia North America, has offered writers a “sub-standard contract.”

They want the writers to be treated as if they’re working on “half-scripted” shows, which would cut down on the show’s writing fees.

According to the WGA, writing for The Osbournes: Loud and Dangerous, would usually be covered under the guild’s basic agreement.

However, Fremantle, wants to treat parts of the show as “reality content” which isn’t covered in the agreement. Fremantle had indicated that the writers would not be responsible for writing that part of the show, which the WGA has refused.

While some shows produced by Fremantle have been covered by the guild contract, many others - like American Idol - are not.

Last summer, the WGA even went on a bus tour, which they called the American Idol Truth Tour, and followed the show’s audition all over the country to talk to the public about what they say are substandard working conditions for writers and staff.

David Shall, Fremantle’s general counsel and executive vp of business operations, is accussing the WGA of running a campaign of “defamation and negative propaganda” against them.

Shall said they contacted the WGA in good faith to hire writers for their Osbourne show.

But the WGA has chosen to have its members boycott the show and any writers found working for them could face a fine.

Boycott it, we say!

This new Osbourne show is just like all the other variety shows of the past - like Carol Burnett. It should have the same contract for the writers!

[Image via WENN.]

Original post by Perez Hilton