Writer vs. Writer

Writers being writers, they like to, you know… write.
Which is generally a good thing.
Unless it’s a bad thing.
Like emails back and forth over a dispute about creative issues….
between Judd Apatow and Mark Brazil (creator of “That ’70s Show”)…
with the latter claiming the former stole a comedy sketch from him.

Judd starts out with this one:

Mark,

I am writing you because I left a message but did not hear back. I understand that you were upset about me not calling you to ask if Topher could do our show. Since Fox executives were talking to Topher about it, I thought it was cool with you. Also, since I hadn’t written it yet, I wasn’t at the point of asking if it was possible to have him do it. I would have called your show then. I didn’t realize it would create a problem. I never wished to offend you. If there is some protocol for people on Fox doing guest shots on other Fox shows, I didn’t know what it was. Regardless, I’m sorry that this resulted in such a mess. If you are mad at me about this or something else from our past, please tell me. I only remember us having fun in the early nineties and it troubles me that it seems like you have a beef with me.

Best regards,

Judd Apatow

A few emails later, Mark comes back with this:

Judd,

The show I wrote was also over-the-top and it let down the fourth wall. Since it’s registered at the WGA [Writers Guild of America], you could compare the two. And as an Exec Producer, we both know you have input into every sketch. As for no one seeing the show, everyone knows everything in Hollywood. There are no secrets. Personally, I feel you’ve made a career out of being a sycophant to Carrey or Shandling or Roseanne, and when you weren’t kissing ass you were stealing from lesser-known comics or leeching off other people’s ideas (“Celtic Pride,” “Cable Guy”). I noticed how outraged you were to not get a writing credit on “Cable Guy” until it came out and was panned. You dropped that cause like the showbiz weasel you are. You may not think you’re a thief, but most comics know otherwise. And again, you know that too. Have you ever read “What Makes Sammy Run”? I think you’d like it. Get cancer.

Love,

Mark

It goes on. And on. And on. The lengthy and heated exchange was originally posted in Harper’s magazine in 2002 with the byline “by Judd Apatow and Mark Brazil,” so I’m hoping that means they kissed and made up.

Reminds me of something a producer once told me: “Hollywood is a very small town. If you screw someone, it may take awhile… but they will screw you back.”

I’ve been bombed by that version of Hollywood karma a few times myself…

H/T to Jason B for forwarding me the link.

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