Jussie Smollett has lost his job on Empire. Yesterday, two very interesting statements were made. This morning, Wendy Williams, did some pretty piss poor reporting on the subject. I watch her show every day but never rely on it to be accurate regarding Entertainment News. Because, it usually isn’t. Today she said Jussie Smollett was going to be paid to stay home. This is not true. AT ALL.
Let’s start with what was released to the press yesterday. First, Fox said the following:
“By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett’s option for season six, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to Empire.”
What Does That Mean?
If this were a RHOA full-time contract, then he would be holding a peach and would be guaranteed to be on all the episodes. (This is why we will probably be stuck with scenes with LVP on RHOBH for the rest of the season). Jussie Smollett’s contract with Fox/Empire is more like Marlo Hampton’s RHOA contract. He is paid well. But with no episode guarantee.
Then a statement from Jussie Smollett’s camp was released that said:
“We’ve been told that Jussie will not be on Empire in the beginning of the season but
he appreciates they have extended his contract to keep Jamal’s future open. Most importantly he is grateful to Fox and Empire leadership, cast, crew and fans for their unwavering support.”
Think of this as something more similar what Thomas Ravenel said when he was also “not fired” under similar circumstances. His options were exhausted at the time. So they just didn’t offer him a new one. Plus, Jussie Smollett’s version got to add that he has “unwavering support.” You know, except for the no job part and how we are about to see all the evidence of his guilt in his upcoming civil case. But sure, loved by one and all. Just without a job. And facing serious legal action for allegedly faking a hate crime. Other than that, things are great.
When Is A Pick-up Letter Not A Pick-up Letter?
So think of Jussie Smollett as a Marlo Hampton. Bravo picked Marlo up for next season and gave her an episode rate and guaranteed her a minimum number of episodes. Fox exercised their option to “pick-up” Jussie for the upcoming season of Empire, but did not give him a guaranteed number of episodes.
NEED EVEN MORE JUSSIE SMOLLETT DRAMA? TT’S GOT THE TEA!
This gives Fox the first rights to all of his broadcast television exclusively. But he only gets paid if he does an episode and that episode is completed to be aired. So he is under an employment contract with FOX. So technically he was not fired. They just aren’t going to put him on any episodes. On the other hand, technically he is not employed. Because they have no work for him right now. I am pretty sure they are going to kill of his character.
So since FOX didn’t fire him, he can’t sue them. Jussie Smollett gets to say he isn’t fired. Basically Fox/Empire were in a very bad place. And this was their legal ticket out of it. So, that’s how Jussie Smollett lost his job on Empire.
Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
Jussie can snatch Nene’s peach ! We need a gay housewife!
OMG! Bravo would so give him a contract! Being a horrible person is like a prerequisite! I hope eventually they bring someone in to make the station about a good shit agaiin like Actor’s Studio and the GOOD version of Project Runway..
Some day there will be a documentary called “How Andy Cohen Was The Downfall of Bravo” but first there must be a show about how CAA ruined TV for us all!
I’ll bet they give us a Bethenny interior design show before that. Heifer has so many properties now I’m not sure why they haven’t shown her go through the process of selecting, buying, modifying, and decorating at least one yet.
https://tamaratattles.com/category/bethenny-fredrik/
you’re welcome.
LOL WHAT?! How did I miss that show?
She recently inked a deal with Mark Burrnett to do some show. I want to say it will be a flipping houses type of thing.
Hhmmmm……
Interesting.
I want my Mexican dynasties recap!
I want it too, sweetie. I just need time to actually ENJOY it while all hell is not breaking lose. Don’t spoil me bro.
Good for Fox, he’s a deluded asshole.
Exactlt
TT why don’t you have your own talk show I can only imagine how awesome that would be
Lisa, the at would be awesome!
I have a face for radio. Plus I am planning another chapter…
Podcast!
Yes! A Podcast! TT would be amazing!!
They can’t have an enforceable exclusivity provision without payment or other form of consideration. He doesn’t have a pay AND play contract which is very rare but he would have the more typical pay OR play contract. SAG/AFTRA has pretty firm requirements regarding enforcement of exclusivity provisions which prevent an actor from working in the field without some form of compensation for that exclusivity. Housewives are not covered by SAG/AFTRA and therefore a production company doesn’t have to adhere to Guild provisions which supersede anything contracted between the parties to the extent a production company wants to offer talent less than what a Guild contract would provide.
Of course I have not seen specific contractual provisions and it is very inexpensive in the scheme of things to pay enough money to extend a contract and typically there would be a length of time in which the production company has the right to determine whether to pick up an option for the next production season.
As stated above, exclusivity without payment for a SAG/AFTRA signatory is completely outside the norm.
They picked him up on an OPTION. The OPTION was part of the initial contract he was paid on. I’m sure IF he is offered other things, they will not exercise their FIRST RIGHTS which is not the same thing as exclusivity. First rights is not exclusivity. I think they would be THRILLED TO BITS if someone else hired him and waive first rights tell him to go for it.
He’s done in the industry. The option pick up was agreed upon by both parties. ALL OF THIS IS OUTSIDE THE NORM, dear.
I haven’t seen the contract so I can only go by what SAG/AFTRA requires.
Once you pick up an option you have to pay the performer what was contractually agreed upon. You don’t have to use their services – and you can prevent them for performing for a third party but you CAN NOT pick up the option of a SAG/AFTRA performer and not pay them while also enforcing exclusivity provisions.
Again, I haven’t seen the terms but based on my experience with SAG/AFTRA talent, it is often easier and cheaper to pay him and preserve options and negotiate a buyout of some kind and then release confusing press releases.
There is no comparison between a reality performer and a SAG/AFTRA performer in terms of what can be agreed upon. SAG/AFTRA does not permit contracts which do not conform with their minimum requirements. For example, you can’t even make a performer exclusive unless you guarantee them a certain number of episodes each production year.
Again, the parties might be stating something is what it is not so that egos and relationships are performed but you can’t pay a SAG/AFTRA nothing and then deny them the ability to take other jobs – in essence that is a form of slavery :-).
The issue of whether Smollett can actually get jobs in the industry is different – he might be able to resurrect his career doing theater or even film since film is less driven by likability than television.
None of this is a defense of Smollett who did an awful disservice to true victims of hate crimes and Chicago certainly retains its reputation as a city of utter corruption as one can only wonder what kind of fix was in in order for the charges to be dismissed with a financial hand slap.
DAMN! Somebody likes to hear themselfs type!
As a point of general interest I actually found jujulwbee’s comments pretty interesting
Really? I found they missed the point entirely. Different strokes I guess.
I just wonder if he will turn to doing music now. The music industry is far less interested in the artists criminal pasts than tv. There are tons of working musicians with drug,gun violations,,assaults and even murder charges that are making tons of money and working today as we speak. I feel like if he would admit to his crime and show true remorse he could resurrect his career in time. But he is going to have to do some kind of show of respect for the people that he has hurt by his actions in order to be forgiven.
TT thank you for breaking it down a way I can understand… housewives contact style.
Thanks for reading it! I feel like most people believe the WW version.
Oh Jussie. All that talent that will never be put to use again unless it’s at a wedding or a bat-mitzvah, perhaps a graduation party. I will never understand what he did and why. Thanks for the on point breakdown as always TT.
I think he will come back. He just needs to admit what he did and show remorse, maybe some kind of rehab or treatment, which he may do when he is desperate enough. America has a short memory.
Rehab for what? Being a dick?
Please let dick rehab be a thing
He will make something up like they all do. I am bipolar … I’m addicted to pain killers … Whatever
America can be very forgiving & give anyone a second chance. . IF you take responsibility, are truly remorseful, apologize and follow up with those you’ve hurt/wronged. That takes humbleness. Jussie has not embraced any of that. Until he does he won’t come back.
So will Jamal go away to college? Join the Army? Run away with somebody’s husband?
I have a feeling he will die on his honeymoon. A sad call home will be placed. Or if the go the happy route, true love wins and they are going on a very extended honeymoon.
Well, I think we all saw this one coming. I was kind of hoping they wouldn’t because his character, and Cookie’s are my two faves on that show, but given the rumors that he did it to promote his career, and increase his salary I suppose they’re more or less obligated.
Now on the Empire front I guess Andre gets to live because Jamal posthumously donates his heart to him? And if so wouldn’t it be ironic if the cause of Jamal’s death leading to his heart going to save his brother was a gay hate crime against his onscreen character?
Fox should hire Jussie to do a TV show about his staged crime starring, who else, Jussie. Hire those 2 hardware shoppers to play themselves. NeNe could be Kim Foxx.
I don’t know why people are so concerned with him showing remorse so he can resurrect his career or win back fans. He committed a crime and got away with no jail time. He’s had enough of the luck in this world! There are enough wonderful actors who are good people working their butts off to get 10% of the success he had. Let them take his place on the public stage. He can retire to a condo somewhere and do in store appearances at all the Tags stores 😹
Nice breakdown TT, this was really helpful to me. I think his Empire character and his new husband will return to Europe never to be seen again except for the occasional phone call.