Writer Tim Doyle Criticized by WGA West Over Offensive Facebook Post

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Veteran producer Tim Doyle has been publicly criticized by the Writers Guild of America West after the guild’s committee found him guilty of posting a racist image on Facebook last year.

“The Writers Guild of America West (“WGAW”) has initiated charges against member Tim Doyle under Article X of the WGAW Constitution and Bylaws (“Constitution”),” union leaders wrote in a letter to members sent Thursday. “The charges allege that on August 9, 2023, Mr. Doyle posted, to a WGAW members’ Facebook group, an image that members deemed to be a racist and offensive depiction of a lynching. Mr. Doyle is accused of engaging in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the union and unfair treatment of other members in violation of Article XA, Section 1 of the Constitution.”

The WGA Trial Committee found that “Mr. Doyle’s publication on August 9, 2023, constituted conduct detrimental to the interests of the WGA and unfair treatment.” Based on the Trial Committee’s report, the WGA West Council determined that “Mr. Doyle’s conduct merited public censure.”

Doyle could not immediately be reached for comment. The Writers Guild of America email to West blaming Doyle sparked a backlash among writers and others on social media.

Doyle’s post sparked outrage in August 2023 at a time when thousands of television and film writers had been on strike for more than three months. He apologized. In an interview with The Hollywood ReporterHe said he was “very sorry” and insisted his intention with his “silly joke” had been misunderstood.

The image at the heart of the case was described as a black-and-white drawing of a man hanging upside down from a tree, which evoked in many readers a sense of lynching, and they were quick to criticize Doyle.

The Writers Guild of America’s practice of conducting special investigations and taking disciplinary action against members has long been controversial among its members. After the 2007–08 strike, then-“Tonight Show” host Jay Leno was questioned at length during a trial about jokes he made on air during the strike, but was ultimately acquitted of any wrongdoing.

Doyle’s long list of television credits includes the comedies “Rules of Engagement,” “Last Man Standing,” “Dr. Ken,” “Speechless” and “Better Off Ted.” He most recently served as showrunner and producer on “Schooled,” the short-lived ABC family comedy series “The Goldbergs.”