Former composer for Fox’s The Simpsons is suing the network, and by extension Disney, for discriminated termination due to age and disability.
Alf Clausen | Via Deadline
What’s happening:
- Deadline is reporting that former The Simpsons composer, Alf Clausen has filed a lawsuit against Disney, Fox, and Gracie Films for age discriminated termination.
- The 78 year old musician was fired from The Simpsons in 2017 and he’s alleging that his termination was due to ageism and a perceived disability.
- According to the lawsuit, Clausen is seeking enough damages to cover the cost of the suit, as well as anything in addition the court would deem fair. He’s also demanding a trial by jury.
- Clausen claims the stated reason of “taking the music in a different direction” was “false” and that his termination was unlawful.
- As for the ageism claim, Clausen says he was replaced by someone “substantially younger in age, who was not only paid less, but was not disabled.”
- Deadline points out it’s odd that Clausen’s attorneys don’t actually state what disability Clasuen has.
- During his time on The Simpsons, Clausen wrote and conducted music more than 550 episodes of the animated series.
- At the time of publication, 20th Century Fox Television did not respond to Deadline for comment on the suit.
- The entire lawsuit can be read here.
What they’re saying:
- Clausen’s lawsuit reads: “Plaintiff has been informed and believes and thereon alleges that defendant treated plaintiff in the herein alleged manner, in conscious disregard for his rights and safety, rendering its acts and omissions despicable.”