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The always refreshingly blunt Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter took to his blog this morning to respond to a $5 million lawsuit against FX filed by former Oz actor Chuck Zito, a self-proclaimed former leader of the NY chapter of Hell’s Angels, who claims that Sons Of Anarchy was based on an idea he pitched to the cable network 6 years ago. In his lengthy post, titled Douchebaggery Is The Greatest Form of Flattery, Sutter refers to Zito as “half-talent” trying to extort money from FX with his “bogus claim.”
“Here’s the problem with his plan,” Sutter writes. “When it comes to parting with cash, there’s one badass outlaw that makes Zito look like a pussy — his name is Rupert, and Rupe don’t sway. Trust me, Chucky could firebomb our lot and Fox wouldn’t fork over a fucking dime to this guy. That’s why I love them… my parent company is as stubborn and aggressive as I am.
So here’s my bi-monthly reminder to every delusional bitch who thinks that they’ve come up with the idea for SOA –
HAVING THE FUCKING IDEA IS NOT THE SHOW. THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE TV DRAMAS PITCHED IN THE LAST TEN YEARS. NONE OF THEM HAS MADE IT TO SERIES, EXCEPT SOA. BECAUSE THEY SUCKED. The same way there were dozens of mob family pitches before the Sopranos and crime scene pitches before CSI.”
Other highlights of Sutter’s rebuttal of Zito’s lawsuit:
“I had a love of the subculture but was not an “outlaw biker”. The same way Damon Lindelof was never marooned on a supernatural island. I did what a good writers does. Research. Then I used a tool that is foreign to all these idiots claiming ownership — it’s called imagination.”
“I guarantee you, the only similarity between Zito’s pitch and SOA is that they wear cuts, do illegal things and ride Harleys.”
“Oh, and by the way, once, in 2004, I was in the lobby of AMC and complained to someone’s assistant that there was a guy in the parking lot acting like a “mad man”. Fuck… AMC and Matt Weiner stole my idea. Clearly I came up with the concept for Mad Men.”
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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I FUCKING LOVE this guy!
Preach, brother, preach – I too have HAD IT with people who fart in the elevator and claim that something is their idea. YOU WRITE IT, then! Oh, that’s right, you tried to conjure up even a single scene heading and sat there staring at a blank page for two weeks before giving up and trying out for American Idol – because your talent is so massive, it’s without boundaries.
If these people could write, they would. If they could sell an idea, they would. If they could deliver richly arced characters and plot lines that distinguish a show amongst the thousands of shows that have come before, they would have no reason to sue.
A “created by” writing credit is not an entitlement for having a thought. It is something one must earn by, well, actually writing.
We have this conversation all the time. If you can’t be bothered to flesh out a pilot and a show bible, you can’t really be upset someone didn’t believe in your pitch.
Quick Trim
I’m pretty sure it was the Linsons that came up with this idea. Why aren’t they getting the credit?
You, Mr. Sutter, are a ballsy and brilliant man. Good for you for telling the truth, and so well.
We have this conversation all the time. If you can’t be bothered to flesh out a pilot and a show bible, you can’t really be upset someone didn’t believe in your pitch.
It’s not like Chuck Zito is a big time producer or writer who can afford that luxury. Sour grapes and legal fees go hand in hand I suppose.
Well said.
Brilliant Retort –
Jules: [Jules shoots the man on the couch] I’m sorry, did I break your concentration? I didn’t mean to do that. Please, continue, you were saying something about best intentions. What’s the matter? Oh, you were finished! Well, allow me to retort. What does Marsellus Wallace look like?
Brett: What?
Jules: What country are you from?
Brett: What? What? Wh – ?
Jules: “What” ain’t no country I’ve ever heard of. They speak English in What?
Brett: What?
Jules: English, motherfucker, do you speak it?
Brett: Yes! Yes!
Jules: Then you know what I’m sayin’!
Brett: Yes!
Jules: Describe what Marsellus Wallace looks like!
Brett: What?
Jules: Say ‘what’ again. Say ‘what’ again, I dare you, I double dare you motherfucker, say what one more Goddamn time!
*Brad
Frank Whaley as Pulp Fiction (1994) …. Brett
Always refreshing to see seasoned writers give a good smack-down to, well, pretty much any person who claims they are writers.
Not sure anyone in town would call him “seasoned”…
More like spoiled.
Someone get a straight-jacket on Kurt Sutter. He redefines arrogant, self-righteous behavior. If Zito’s $5M lawsuit is without merit the arbitrator or courts will rule accordingly… it’s called his day in court.
Yes, just what we need, another person clogging up the court system for a baseless suit so they can have their “day in court”. Ever think why the courts are so overloaded is because everyone demands their day in court whether it’s warranted or not?
I’ve met Zito before in the past. We frequented the same gym for awhile. I guarantee you he had no fully formed idea for anything. He always struck me as a bit of a star fucker looking to latch on to anyone on their way up. Very much like those Sopranos supporting character actors here in NY. They all come off cheesy and desperate when they meet anyone who is actually creative.
I think Zito gets his advice from listening to Howard Stern who also goes on the air every single day spouting how he is ripped off and stolen from and how everything, including American Idol, was originally his idea.
This is garbage and I hope FX runs Zito’s legals fees up high enough to bankrupt him.
If he was so enraged about being stolen from why did he wait until season 2 of the series to do this?
“If he was so enraged about being stolen from why did he wait until season 2 of the series to do this?”
Because it is potentially more lucrative to sue a successful show than a failed one.
Sutter has balls and takes no shit. Hollywood needs more men like him instead of these latte sipping mani pedi having pansies that are out there. Good for u Kurt! Fuck him and his lawsuit
Kurt Sutter, you’re my hero!! You fracking rock. I would love to work with you anytime!!
i work on SONS.
this only makes me more proud of my association with this man.
and confirms that i am working with the coolest bunch of guys in town!
the music on the show is amazing Bob. Keep us mind for season 3 bro!
‘Gimme Shelter’ played over the end of the season 2 finale was a transcendent experience. SOA is one of the best shows on television, and I hope you guys stay on air for as long as Kurt wants to do it.
I knew this guy had balls ever since I found out he wrote that season 2 arc for his own wife…I mean, wow.
What’s that on your nose…
Second the motion … “What’s that on your nose… (Bob Thiele).
I’m calling bullshit because most people who comment on forums get fucking fired if they’re not the head writers and weren’t interviewed
Awesome.
The irony of this is that when HBO was simultaneously developing a biker gang pilot, called 1%, written by Michael Tolkin, no one was strutting around like a little rooster crying about HBO taking his idea like Kurt Sutter.
Michael Tolkin’s Pilot was based upon Sonny Barger’s book. HBO filmed the pilot and did not air it because of a suit filed by Barger. Don’t you idiots read the trades? Barger is the biggest name in the Hells Angels Motorcycle club. A living legend.
I dunno if I’d call Murdoch an outlaw, but as the man who cuts Glenn Beck’s paycheck, he’s definitely unethical. Nevertheless, I have to side with the “outlaw” who pays Glenn Beck to call our Commander in Chief a Nazi over the outlaw who used to sell drugs to kids. Sorry Zito, but you’re not going to find a lot of people on your side in this claim.
SOA is one of the most badass shows on TV. Kurt is the man.
Nicely done, Kurt Sutter. Too often, writers wait for their lawyers or agents to respond to crap like this. Actual plagiarists should burn in hell. Just like the weasels who file frivolous lawsuits.
Can’t find anything good to say about Rupert, though.
Huge fan of Sutter. Read the post earlier today. He’s 1000% right.
I find this whole response to the Zito guy a bit suspicious…..
Doth protesteth too much, Sutter!
This settles it. I have a hopeless crush on Kurt Sutter.
love the show, but can’t stand sutter. arrogant, immature, classless. be a man, not a stereotype of what a “man” is.
…said the “man” posting anonymously. Well played.
Is writing an open letter to someone who filed a nuisance lawsuit against you really all that bad-ass? It seems to me that if Sutter truly wanted stay in the power position, he wouldn’t dignify a guy like Zito with a response. Kinda thin-skinned, isn’t it? The verbal equivalent of throwing a punch at a guy who insulted you at a bar.
Then again, if you read Sutter’s twitter, you know he’s also publicly pissy no one’s nominated him for an Emmy yet…
more like the verbal equivalent of throwing a punch at a guy who stood up on the bar and called you a lying thief. thin-skinned? the guy is taking him to court for five mil over some bullshit, not trash-talking him on twitter. let’s get real, here.
Zito may be a loser like all the other fucking people in La who try to get something for nothing but Sutter, don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back.
I don’t think he is patting himself on the back, even if he is so what, he earned it. There is nothing wrong with being proud of your accomplishments and then protecting those accomplishments from a pozer. He has every right to defend himself and his work from leeches. Don’t be a hater man, it’s coming accross like your a little jealous.
Sutter is right on the facts of his argument, but having worked with him since the start of the show — him calling Zito a douchebag is a little like the pot calling the kettle black.
Sutter is a smart guy, but extremely insecure, and wants so badly to thought of a “tough guy” it’s almost funny. If you’ve ever spent time with the guy, you definitely come away with the impression he has a serious chip on his shoulder — almost like “why the fuck did it take you so long to realize how talented I am?”
Why do you think he casts himself as a badass biker in his show — because he couldn’t hack it as an actor — and you can just smell the desperation coming off him. Just ask him about The Shield, and you would think Shawn Ryan had nothing to do with its success.
He’s right in this instance, but that doesn’t preclude him from being a douche himself.
Nice.
There were multiple biker gang pitches going around a couple years ago. This was one happened to get made. Who knows why? There was enough Shakespeare in it to make it FX friendly? Regardless, you’re never as good as your best review or as bad as your worst.
How do you guilty till proven innocent asswips know Sutter is right without seeing any of the evidence. Is this America or a kangaroo court of brown nosers? Sutter’s mad cause he wasn’t nominated for an emmy? lol Give me a break. You need good writing like NCIS or Mad Men or Curb your Enthusiasm…David’s improv outlines are more compelling. Drea D Mateo is the best thing on the show…She’s as real as it gets.
NCIS? good writing?
omg I am dying here.
Regardless of that ball of laughs, I think what annoys most people is the amazingly large number of lawsuits based on claims of this sort. Ultimately, who gives a shit if Sutter is a douche? The more important issue is the annoying tendency of people to sue for believing that because some idea ran through their heads once, they are entitled to something for it.
Listen Mr. A Writer…you sound like a bitter schill for Sutter. Take your kneepads off. You could never have the balls to fill Zitos shoes so you are jealous that Zito is what the balless wanabe biker Sutter tries to write about. He talks like a tough guy but if he ever met Zito face to face his balls would shrivel up into his vagina as everyone is a tough guy behind his computer. Not Zito. He walks the walk and backs up his talk. Why don’t you read his book and get educated. Look at the back cover and you’ll see Mr. Zito with the President of the United States…Rupert who? Everybody bleeds…unless maybe they’re from Mars. Is Sutter from Mars? I believe his mouth writes a check his ass can’t sign. Oh I forgot, Sean Penn wrote the forward to his book, Street Justice. Sutter couldn’t scratch his ass as a writer or a filmmaker…in fact what films did Sutter ever write? None to date. Most tv writers are hacks and write drek for the sheep. He is no Tommy Schlami. Jerry Springer had better ratings then SOA…get the picture? It’s all garbage. It seems Zito has got under Sutters skin. Usually a sign of guilt. Did you steal Zito’s idea Sutter? How would you even know what it was if it just got filed? Did you get served with a complaint? Review all the evidence against you? NO, YOU COULDN’T HAVE POSSIBLY DONE THAT CAUSE DUE PROCESS OF LAW DOES NOT WORK LIKE THAT. A COMPLAINT IS ONLY THAT AND EVIDENCE IS NOT PRESENTED AT FILING. All of your ranting makes you look like a 3rd grade moron. Once the evidence is reviewed the public will see if you were right or a fraud. Lastly, if you read Mr. Zito’s book, you would never address him disrespectfully like you have publically in your response to this action against you. It’s not personal…only business (didn’t you see the Godfather?)
I did what a good writers does. =
Let me guess, have someone else write it for you, Don Simpson?.
Nice typo. This guy is about as tough as Scott Caan, (in every one of his movies).
I really enjoy the show and Sutter is very talented. That said he might have asked Jean Claude Van Damme what happened when he pissed Chuck off before he spouted all this. JCVD ended up at the wrong end of that beat down.