“Kal Penn Approves This Message” Now a Guild-Covered Comedy/Variety Series

NEW YORK, NY (September 18, 2020) – The Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) today announced that KAL PENN APPROVES THIS MESSAGE will be a Guild-covered Comedy-Variety series.

After reports that the new politically-themed Comedy/Variety series KAL PENN APPROVES THIS MESSAGE was being produced non-union, Writers Guild members, along with the series creator/host Kal Penn and Industry Entertainment worked with the production company, Embassy Row, who agreed to become a Guild signatory and sign a contract to cover the series. Now, writers’ work on the series is covered under the WGA’s Minimum Basic Agreement.

Lowell Peterson, Executive Director of the Writers Guild of America, East, said, “‘We are grateful for the support and solidarity that WGAE members, Kal Penn and Industry Entertainment showed in making sure KAL PENN APPROVES THIS MESSAGE is a Guild-covered Comedy/Variety series. Kal Penn, in particular, stepped up to show himself as a staunch ally to trade unions.”

The Series is set to premiere on Tuesday, September 22nd, at 10:30pm ET/PT on Freeform.

ABOUT THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, EAST
The Writers Guild of America, East, AFL-CIO (WGAE) is a labor union representing writers in film, television, news and new media. The Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers’ views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America, East, visit wgaeast.org.

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