Showrunner Tim Doyle Censured After WGA West Panel Finds Him Guilty of Posting Racist Image on Facebook

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Veteran showrunner Tim Doyle has been publicly censured by the Writers Guild of America West after a guild panel found him guilty of posting a racist image on Facebook last year.

“The Writers Guild of America West (“WGAW”) initiated charges against member Tim Doyle under Article X of the Constitution and Bylaws of the WGAW (“Constitution”),” guild leaders wrote in a message to members sent Thursday. “The charges alleged that on August 9, 2023 Mr. Doyle posted, on a Facebook group for WGAW members, an image that members perceived as a racist and offensive depiction of a lynching. Mr. Doyle was charged with engaging in conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the Guild and unfair dealing with other members in violation of Article X.A., Section 1 of the Constitution.”

The guild’s trial committee found “that Mr. Doyle’s August 9, 2023 posting constituted conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the Guild and unfair dealing.” On the strength of the trial committee’s report, the WGA West board determined that “Mr. Doyle’s conduct warrants public censure.”

Doyle could not immediately be reached for comment. The WGA West’s email message stating the censure for Doyle sparked a range of reactions among writers and others on social media.

Doyle’s post caused outrage in August 2023 at a time when thousands of TV and film writers had been on strike for more than three months. He apologized in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, saying he was “very sorry” and asserting that his intention with his “silly joke” was misconstrued.

The image at the heart of the case has been described as a black and white drawing of a man hanging upside down from a tree, which evoked a lynching in the minds of many readers who were quick to slam Doyle.

The WGA’s practice of conducting private investigations and disciplinary actions against members has long been controversial among the membership. After the 2007-2008 strike, then “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno was grilled during a trial about jokes that he made on-air during the strike but he was ultimately cleared of wrongdoing.

Doyle’s long list of TV credits include comedies “Rules of Engagement,” “Last Man Standing,” “Dr. Ken,” “Speechless” and “Better Off Ted.” Most recently he served as showrunner and creator of “Schooled,” the short-lived spinoff of ABC’s family comedy “The Goldbergs.”