American triumph leads to extraordinary wealth. Michael Jordan wins six championships while Mark Zuckerberg creates social media, earning billions.
And their teammates, whose contributions were meaningful and necessary. Success pays.
Not Hollywood. When you write for a program that breaks records, there is no windfall. Just a $259.71 check.
It doesn't matter if Netflix and NBCUniversal's Peacock's show you helped create generates 3.1 billion viewing minutes in one week, establishing a Nielsen record. No matter if it's 40% of Netflix's Top 10.
"Identity Crisis," my "Suits" episode, earned $259.71 in streaming residuals last quarter. Last quarter, NBCUniversal paid the six original "Suits" writers under $3,000 to stream our 11 Season 1 episodes on two platforms.
It's great that Netflix has expanded the show's audience this summer. Every writer and actor hopes their work lasts. I'm grateful to have been in "Suits"' engine room for eight of its nine seasons.
But $259.71 for writing a large audience show? Writers and actresses strike for this. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher called this method "un-American" because of this.
Entertainment bosses say they're paying writers historically. Even a 100% raise on a $259.71 check doesn't cover most rents.