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Calif. Justices Consider Words Of TV Writers

By Mike McKee

The justices of the California Supreme Court recently seemed inclined to keep their fingers out of the creative process that helped breathe life into the characters on the TV sitcom “Friends.” The court had been asked to rule whether the show writers' sexually crude comments and simulations while hashing out TV scripts could constitute sexual harassment serious enough to cause a hostile work environment, especially for women and minorities. Lyle v. Warner Brothers Television Productions, S125171.

The six justices on hand for oral arguments appeared uncomfortable with the thought of forcing writers to curb their thoughts, words and actions, even if they often push the boundaries of sexual harassment. (Justice Ming Chin, recovering from surgery, was absent, but will participate by reviewing tapes of the arguments.) “This case is unique, is it not, in that it arises in the context of this creative environment?” Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdegar inquired.

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