Kurt Sutter On DirecTV-Fox Nets Carriage Dispute: 'They Can't F–K With 'SOA'''

Kurt Sutter, the colorful creator and showrunner of  FX’s biker drama hit Sons of Anarchy, is never one to miss an opportunity to defend the honor of his show and his network. He’s gotten into hot water in the past for speaking a bit too passionately on Twitter, so he took down his account. Now Sutter has leaped into the fray on his personal blog, Sutter Ink, to voice his displeasure with DirecTV for what he perceives as the satcaster holding Fox’s cable networks (including FX) hostage in a carriage dispute that could result in the nets being dropped by DirecTV on November 1. FX enlisted Sutter to film a promo urging fans to weigh in but didn’t let him use his prepared, profanity-laden script. But that didn’t stop Sutter from posting on his blog the entire promo writeup that includes lines like, “DirecTV is shutting down all conversation and using their customers as leverage. In the process, you’re getting fucked over.” Sutter also took time to praise FX chief John Landgraf. “If it weren’t for that guy,” Sutter wrote, “I’d be selling star maps and handjobs in front of the Motherlode.”

Here’s the full text of Sutter’s typically passionate post:

I just did a promo that will air before Tuesday night’s episode. It’s aim is to mobilize fans against DirecTV. But they refused to let me speak honestly, I had to follow an FX legal script that felt like complete bullshit. I’m sure it will serve it’s purpose, but I feel compelled to let SOA fans know what I WANTED to say.

First off, I am well aware that I am working for the right-handed smoking man. Truth is, every large entertainment company is an extension of some corporate behemoth. FX is no exception. The thing that keeps me there is that they care as much about the creative process as they do their bottom line. That’s not only rare, it’s pretty much nonexistent everywhere else in Hollywood. That bubble is floated by John Landgraf. If it weren’t for that guy, I’d be selling star maps and handjobs in front of the Motherlode. I also have no delusions that Fox has a big horse in this DTV race. Like all big corporate deals, the Goliaths are fighting for bigger chunks of the pie and in the process, the Davids who feed off of the crumbs, are getting screwed. But if you look at the facts, you’ll see that DirecTV is applying orange rules to an ever apple-ing world and using their large customer base as leverage. Basically, fucking over the customers that already pay a lot of money for their service.

Here is the script they wouldn’t let me use —

SOA (:45)

HEY, I’M KURT SUTTER, CREATOR OF SONS OF ANARCHY.STARTING NOVEMBER 1ST, DIRECTV IS PULLING FX FROM YOUR BOX.

THAT MEANS YOU’LL MISS THE LAST FIVE EPISODES OF SONS THIS SEASON. PERHAPS FIVE OF THE MOST CRITICAL EPISODES OF THE SERIES.

I KNOW FOX HAS A HORSE IN THIS RACE, BUT THEY’RE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH. DIRECTV IS SHUTTING DOWN ALL CONVERSATION AND USING THEIR CUSTOMERS AS LEVERAGE. IN THE PROCESS, YOU’RE GETTING FUCKED OVER. THEY’RE RUNNING ADS WITH THEIR CORPORATE SHILL TELLING YOU HOW MUCH “THEY CARE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS”; THAT DUDE’S GOT ONE SINCERE HAND ON HIS HEART WHILE THE OTHER GREASES YOUR UNSUSPECTING BACKSIDE. BECAUSE THEY’RE ABOUT TO FLIP YOU OVER AND FUCK YOU UP THE ASS TILL YOU BLEED.

GO TO KEEPMYNETS.COM OR call 866-KEEPMYNETS TO GET THE REAL STORY.DO IT NOW. LET ‘EM KNOW THEY CAN’T FUCK WITH YOUR SONS OF ANARCHY.

THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT, BITCHES.

SOA (:15)

SOA FANS, LISTEN UP…

STARTING NOVEMBER 1ST, DIRECTV IS PULLING FX FROM YOUR BOX.

GO TO KEEPMYNETS.COM OR call 866-KEEPMYNETS TO GET THE REAL STORY.

DO IT NOW. LET ‘EM KNOW THEY CAN’T FUCK WITH YOUR SONS OF ANARCHY.
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT, BITCHES.