The comments made by a comedy writer in a private WGA (Writers Guild of America) Facebook group were made public after a meme that one of the administrators flagged as “epically horrible, racist, self-martyring” was posted. The writer claimed that he was just trying to get a laugh about suicide with the meme.
The incident occurred on August 9 when a writer posted a comment to mark the 100th day of the WGA strike, saying, “Happy 100th day to all who observe.” Tim Doyle, a well-known writer, producer, and showrunner, responded with a black-and-white image featuring a man hanging from a tree in what appeared to be a lynching. Keith Powell, one of the group administrators and a writer-director-actor known for his role on “30 Rock,” immediately called out Doyle for his racist and offensive post. The Facebook post was then shared on other platforms, leading to calls for Doyle to explain himself.
Powell spoke to THR about the incident and stated that Doyle took several days before posting an apology to the 1,700-member group and privately apologizing to Powell. Powell sees this incident as indicative of a larger issue within the industry, where writers of color are ignored, belittled, and not acknowledged by those in positions of power. He believes that this incident highlights a system that needs to be broken, where people like Doyle have been able to thrive despite their insensitivity.
Doyle, in an interview, expressed his remorse for the post, explaining that he was attempting to make a joke about the ongoing strike but failed miserably. He stated that he was bored at the moment and made a poor choice in clip art to accompany his joke about killing himself after 100 days on the picket line. He claimed to have Googled “cartoon man hanging from a tree” and that image came up. However, several of Doyle’s friends who were people of color contacted him about the post, which made him realize the gravity of his mistake.
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Doyle acknowledges that his delayed apology was due to being unaware of how it had been received online as he had logged off after having eye surgery. He admits that his imagination did not take him to the place where others would interpret the image as offensive. He wants to emphasize that his intentions were not to hurt or anger anyone, but rather to add humor to the ongoing conversation about the strike.
Powell argues that someone of Doyle’s age and stature should be aware of the history of lynching in America and the implications of posting such an image. He believes that Doyle’s actions are indicative of showrunners who act insensitively and ignore criticism of their behavior. The Facebook group has a set of rules for behavior and etiquette, and Doyle’s image was considered a strike against him. He has been told to be more considerate and thoughtful in his future posts and has agreed to do so.
In conclusion, this incident has shed light on the issue of insensitivity and ignorance within the entertainment industry. It emphasizes the need for systemic change that allows for equal representation and acknowledgement of writers of color. The incident has sparked discussions about accountability and the responsibility of those in positions of power to educate themselves and listen to others’ perspectives.
