Archive through September 24, 2002
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: Archive ONE: Possible Legal Problems: Archive through September 24, 2002

What555456

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 07:53 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I cannot vouch for whether this is true or not, but I pass it on...

I just got back form having breakfast with a guy who works in the CBS network Offices here in LA. He is not corporate executive level, but has a position where he often knows what is going on.

Apparently, one of the reasons for the FOTH yesterday is because of a lawsuit that may be filed as early as today by some of the HG's (this year's and previous year's).

The suit apparently has three parts to it.

First, they are saying that BB has broken FCC regulations for game shows by providing too much information in the DR. It is not so much that they provided the information, but that the information was skewed to benefit one HG over another.

Second, they argue that BB has broken FCC regulations because of the way they edit the TV Shows, which fail to portray the HG's as they really are, but rather as BB wants to show thgem for entertainment purposes. They are arguing that because certain pirzes are awarded which may help one HG over another and the final winner may be decided by the viewers, BB has again illegally skewed the outcome of the game.

The third part is being filed only by the HG's from this year. They argue that BB's selecting Lisa without requiring her to compete for a spot like everyone else, then giving her loading questions in the DR makes her ineligible to win based on FCC regulations.

The suit, if filed today or early tomorrow, will also seek an injunction to stop CBS from naming a winner this year until the suit is decided. Apparently, yesterday, the attorneys in LA and NY were spending the day watching live feeds, DR interviews and tryin to figure out what was promised to Lisa to get her to join the cast.

So, perhaps this will not have an ending tomorrow as we expect.

Again, I have no idea if any of this is true. But I thought I would pass it on.

Grannygrunt

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:02 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Makes you wonder about all the stuff Lisa said she would tell Dani when this was over. Maybe not be true but sure fans the gossip hotlines. Wish there was some way to find out for sure. Is there any way to check the courthouse for legal records of filings?

Kitty54

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:03 am EditMoveDeleteIP
WOW!!! Now this will be interesting. I hope it's true. It certainly will keep us on the boards, for more info.

Cmc209

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:03 am EditMoveDeleteIP
WOW! Sounds like there are some former HG's who are holding a grudge against CBS.

I think this possible lawsuit needs to be classified as a loony lawsuit. Hello people - you signed your life away on the dotted line and knew what you were getting into. Before you know it, Tonya will file a lawsuit for emotional damages because her boyfriend dumped her because of her actions on BB.

Read this for some humor:

http://www.mlaw.org/_pages/loonylawsuits.html

Maris

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:04 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Well if Dani loses you can imagine she will be right up there with that lawsuit. Its nothing but sour grapes. They ought to just admit they are losers and suck it up.

Whit4you

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:04 am EditMoveDeleteIP
What's the link for the smoking gun? If there were going to be any suits filed - they'd have uncovered it by now I think :)

Laluna

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:07 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Here's the link Whit...don't see anything there...yet.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/

Twiggyish

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Coming from you What, I believe this completely. In that, it could be a possibility. It makes me wonder at some of the things we've seen and heard.

Bernie

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I wonder how this year's HG's managed to get this going so quickly, if it's true? And what prompted them to do so. Verrrrry interesting!
IF it's true - but I almost hope it is, LOL!

Mcmurtrey

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:09 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Big Brother is NOT a game show...

It doesn't need to follow the same strict rules.

Haven't we gone over this already?

Kellirippa

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:10 am EditMoveDeleteIP
If lawyers were somewhere in a boardroom watching BB3 DR tapes, why would that result in 5 hours of FOTH on the live feeds??

Klm72

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:10 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hmmmm.... interesting.

If true, and if an injunction was placed and the winner not announced here are some scenerios-

No winner, ever. BB3 ends ubruptly and BB America fades off into oblivion. SOmeday someone might casually turn their head at a curous angle and say "hey, whatever happened to that show, the Orwellian one that had the internet cameras?"

Lisa's spot being removed; the next runner up taking her place in the final 2. That would be Jason.

Lisa's spot being removed, Dani named winner by default.

Lisa's spot being removed- ALL ex-HG allowed to compete in a one time cntest for the coveted finals 2 position with Dani.


All of the above is highly unlikely but just tossing out some "what if" scenerios!

Chiparock

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I haven't searched the entire Smoking Gun site. The link is: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/

Betty

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow, does that mean Dani has to stay locked in the house until this is decided? lololololol!!!

Think it's www.thesmokinggun.com or something close.

Crazydog

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I think it should be meritless. It always strikes me as funny how former contestants complain when somehow they don't win. It's as if simply appearing on a show makes them entitled to the money. The producers can do whatever they want to. So what if Lisa did not go through the normal application process? Neither do 50% of all reality show contestants.

What555456

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Cmc

I asked about the issue of contracts and the rules saying BB can change the rules, etc. He poiinted out any contract can be sued over, no matter how ironclad it is (True -- we all knw this). He also said they are arguing that BB can change the rules, but they cannot do it in a way which allows BB itself to decide who gets helped and who gets hurt.

Maris

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:12 am EditMoveDeleteIP
They made enough money off this show they just pay player one and two, in the interest of expeditiously resolving the issue without admitting any guilt.

Bye bye BB4. Then again, they may just get choirboy to testify for the defense. Better yet, go to trial. Put it to the jury and let them decide whether Dani deserved to win. Maybe the jury gets to see everything that was on during the FOTH. Packing my bags now, relocating to Ca.

Bbfreak

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I think this is a rumor, It is in their contract that they can't sue CBS or the other houseguests FOR ANY REASON. That's why Krista's Lawsuit got thrown out.
I am sure the contract that each houseguest signed is IRON CLAD, Even Danni read yesterday from the rule book:
"Big Brother can change the rules as they see fit" <PP Here, But I heard her read it>
There will be a winner tomorrow.
There is no way CBS with their team of lawyers would leave a loophole as loose as that.
Manipulating the game is a matter of interpretation, who is going to interpret it?
CBS is, I am positive they have their butts covered.

Mcmurtrey

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:14 am EditMoveDeleteIP
NOT A GAME SHOW.

Gidget

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:15 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow I was watching Quiz Show over the weekend and thinking so many of the same things.

Unfortunately this could bring an end to any future BB. OR it could make it immensely popular.

If this is not a game show, what is it?

Csnog

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I have said for a long time that the DR was a seed of trouble. It should be for blowing off steam and them a quote for TV. The HG's need a place to unravel.

Lisa said she was chosen the Sunday before entering the house. Mmmmmmmmmmm

Kellirippa

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
The players are never refered to as contestants, they are called house guests...

Klm72

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Now hold on a moment- what if it is somehow proven BB DID coach Lisa from the get-go. Arn't the ex-HG valid in feeling cheated out of having any kind of a fair chance?

(NOT saying this actually happened, or even that it was likely to have happened- just saying that if it DID happen then I'd be pretty darned pissed too after wasting a whole summer away from my loved ones and earning potential to learn it had always been impossible to win as the winner had been chosen by CBS before day 1)

Twiggyish

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:17 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I don't think lawsuits end shows like BB. Somehow, they eventually get settled. On a positive note, this will bring about changes which can only improve the show.

Denecee

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 08:17 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Maris-Dani could still win, but if this thing is rigged all the HG who were not in on it should be suing. I want both Lisa and Dani to win but it's up to the EHG.