A California appeals court has ruled that a group of Hollywood screenwriters can proceed with 23 class action age-bias lawsuits against the major studios, television networks, talent agencies, and production companies. The lawsuits, filed by the Writers’ Guild of America, allege that the studios, networks, and production companies crafted a “youth-oriented corporate culture that indiscriminately favors youth over age and experience” to attract younger viewers and, consequently, more advertising revenue. And, because talent agencies knew about this policy and practice, they refused to represent or refer older writers for writing jobs, the writers charged. In Hollywood, where the stakes are high and the paychecks are fat, the damages could be huge if the employees prevail.