A lawsuit has been launched against the TV series, SEAL Team, as well as the CBS network for allegedly having discriminatory hiring practices in their writers’ room. With that being said, the individual who has launched the legal case has done so because as a “white, heterosexual male”, he claims he has been discriminated against.
SEAL Team: More Details On Discrimination Lawsuit Launched Against Show & CBS
The individual behind the lawsuit, who’s name is Brian Beneker, was an established script coordinator who alleges that he has worked for years to become a staff writer on the show but was passed over for the job because he’s a “heterosexual, white” man.
He’s worked for the SEAL Team since March 2017 and filed the case this past February. The lawsuit notes that he was denied the staff writer’s position repeated as CBS hired and promoted a number of individuals ahead of him who did not have the screenwriting credits and experience, but were part of “favored” hiring groups; those who were nonwhite, female, or part of the LGBTQ community.
Mr. Beneker notes that he started looking for staff writer employment in June 2019. Over the years, the show hired others, which he refers to as:
“Black male” – Season 3
“Black female” – Season 3
“White female” former writer’s assistant – Season 5
“Black female” writer’s assistant – Season 6
“White, lesbian, female” writer’s assistant – Season 6
“White” “female” writer’s assistant – Season 7
Beneker alleges that there is “a rule” to hire 40 percent BIPOC candidates within the writers’ room; claiming the rules mean “heterosexual, white” males require more qualifications than some candidates applying for the same roles. He’s asking for a full-time job as a producer, as well as financial damages, as compensation.
SEAL Team: CBS’s Stance On The Lawsuit
The network is requesting that the legal case be dismissed. They allege they have a constitutional right under the First Amendment to choose writers whose work will shape CBS’s artistic enterprise.
CBS also notes that “limiting” their ability to select their writers of choice, as Mr. Beneker is looking to do, is unconstitutional and impairs the network’s ability to shape its message.
The network also alleges that two of the six examples fall outside the statute of limitations, and the other three hire examples fall under the same race as Beneker, regardless of sexual preference or gender.
CBS also claims that two of the six instances fall outside the statute of limitations. They also add that the three others don’t count because they are hires of the same race, regardless of gender or sexual preference.
What do you think of the lawsuit against SEAL Team and CBS? Stream the show, Seasons 1-6, on Paramount+, and stay tuned to this site for the best TV updates and news.