Josh Friedman Calls Graeme Manson An "Idiot" For Not Consulting Him On 'Snowpiercer'

We know that Josh Friedman (‘War of the Worlds’,’The Black Dahlia’) was pushed out as the showrunner of TNT’s ‘Snowpiercer‘ but it sounds like he is unhappy at his replacement. With Graeme Manson (‘Orphan Black’) now at the helm, it looks as if Friedman was expecting some kind of communication as to where the series was meant to go.

Of course, with TNT and Friedman parting ways on what appears not to be on the best of terms it almost seems unlikely that the new showrunner would seek out his input on how to take things going forward.

According to Friedman:

 


 

 

“If you’re asked to rewrite someone or take over their show it seems like good sense and good karma to reach out to that person first and a) find out what the circumstances of their departure are and b) thank them for doing the work you’ll be profiting from.

You should buy that person a nice meal or a bottle of alcohol if they’re up for it. Your money was earmarked for them at one time. And more than likely, what may be a good job for you was a passion project for them. Put another way: if you were to take over a show, I’d originated and worked on for two years and didn’t reach out to me before taking the job you’re either an idiot, a coward, or a vichy motherfucker.”

So, while it was cute that he added “in theory” at the end of it so as to show there might not be any hard feelings, it doesn’t seem like this was the best way to start a dialogue. While I completely understand being anywhere from frustrated to angry about a passion project being taken away from a creator, you can’t always expect the replacement to reach out on it. They might have their own vision or a strict guideline from the studio as to what is expected from their work. Also, hoping for things to change by calling someone “in theory” an idiot, a coward, or a vichy motherf**ker probably isn’t going to get them talking to you now.

I love Josh Friedman’s previous work and am eager to see what he puts together going forward. However, I suspect none of his future projects are going to be aimed at TNT.

Do you think Josh Friedman is going overboard with his response or did he want to work on this show enough to allow for this anger to be on display? Is it fair of him to call out Graeme Manson on this who already has to be in this position or should he have his anger directed primarily at TNT? Share your thoughts below!

Source: The Hollywood Reporter