Archive through September 24, 2002
MoveCloseDeleteAdmin

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

Dee723

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:04 am EditMoveDeleteIP
What55 I believe you and I believe the rumors too. It'll be interesting to see what comes of this.

Goddess146

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:07 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I find it fascinating to watch non-lawyers argue with lawyers about the law. LOL

If this lawsuit actually happens, it might be a good time to play "pile on" and sue CBS over the live feeds false advertising.

Bbfanatic

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:12 am EditMoveDeleteIP
thanks WHAT, just seeing if you had heard anything new

Jagger

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:20 am EditMoveDeleteIP
It would be great if there was a lawsuit and CBS decided to pay each hg the 500,000, just to keep it out of the court system.

Itsallgood

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:23 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Not posting my opinion on this one. It's just a RUMOR. (per title)

Now, if it becomes FACT, that's a different story! LOL

Phillymom

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:25 am EditMoveDeleteIP
What, I appreciate that you pointed out in both your posts that you have no way of knowing for certain if this information is true.

I think, in the ensuing debate, the main point of What's post regarding the BB3 "rumored" lawsuit was lost. What wrote: "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." If, indeed, Lisa was chosen to be a BB contestant without going through the application process, and then offered something in return, that's a real problem.

I don't know if Lisa was picked or if she interviewed for the show; I've read both views on these boards. If she was picked without going through the process, I can see how that might raise suspicions in the other HGs eyes. Quite frankly, I have trouble with the idea that they didn't have enough applicants that they had to go searching for people to do the show. So I'm trying to figure out the sequence in my mind ... they want a particular type to do the show, then they somehow spot or hear about Lisa, they approach her, they really want her to be on the show, they offer her some extra incentives ... Possible? Sure. Likely, I don't know.

Itsallgood

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:26 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Goddess146...will you represent us please??? LOL

Good Idea! I'm in line!

Lipservice

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:35 am EditMoveDeleteIP
"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."

The contract that exists between the producers and contestants is that the GAME will be played a certain way. Anything that MATERIALLY CHANGES the way the game is played (ie. - votes are influenced by the producers; one contestant is given game info that the others are unaware of, etc.) would be grounds for a lawsuit - even if it couldn't be proved that the outcome was affected.


"Well explain to me folks.. if it's illegal for them to 'rig' a show.. how would they get away with The Mole? I mean they hire someone specifically to throw off the various contestants and cost them money and so on."

This illustrates the first point - the GAME is set up that one contestant is the MOLE and has a job to do within the game - it's not rigged. If they were to suddenly make TWO contestants MOLES then the others could cry foul.

I'm curious as to why so many here are insisting that the FCC regulations governing game shows don't apply to BB3? I've never seen anything that would imlpy that this show is excempt, either on these boards or anywhere else, even though some have insisted they have seen such a thing on other sites. I won't believe it until I see some proof.

Wigglepuppy

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:36 am EditMoveDeleteIP
What a bunch of whiners. Roddy probably put them up to it. Maybe that's why the evicted hamsters have all talked to him on the phone...these dorks are just too much. The fact is you *sign away your rights* to Shapiro. If you can't handle it, don't audition, and don't accept an invite to audition. All their "careers" in show business will effectively be over - it's called a blacklist, and their names will be on it.

Avrey258

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:38 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Was wondering if someone could clarify something for me? I read in the feeds a few days ago where Lisa said something to Danielle about the diary room asking her (more than once) why she would want to evict Jason, I believe she said instead of a liar? I this true?

Anyways, I am curious about how much leading the diary room actually does.

Breezy

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:38 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I noticed an earlier reference to lawsuits filed by Krista and Mike from an earlier BB show. Does anyone have any information they would be able to share with us?

Also, although they were engaged at one point, I heard that they never got married.

I would love to hear of any updates that anyone might be able to provide on these topics. Thanks.

Lurknomore

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:45 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Goddess...just cause some of us don't have law degrees doesn't mean we are ignorant of the law. :)

Goddess146

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:48 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Itsallgood, I am not a lawyer and I don't play one on the boards. <wink>

Crazydog

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 11:55 am EditMoveDeleteIP
There are two Goddesses on this board, Goddessatlaw is a lawyer, not Goddess146.

Bohawkins

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:08 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
For those interested, here is the US code which applies to Game shows.

DOCID:usc47-189]
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 16, 1996]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 16, 1996 and February 24, 1998]
[CITE: 47USC509]


TITLE 47--TELEGRAPHS, TELEPHONES, AND RADIOTELEGRAPHS

CHAPTER 5--WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION

SUBCHAPTER V--PENAL PROVISIONS; FORFEITURES

Sec. 509. Prohibited practices in contests of knowledge, skill, or chance


(a) Influencing, prearranging, or predetermining outcome

It shall be unlawful for any person, with intent to deceive the listening or viewing public--
(1) To supply to any contestant in a purportedly bona fide contest of intellectual knowledge or intellectual skill any special and secret assistance whereby the outcome of such contest will be in whole or in part prearranged or predetermined.
(2) By means of persuasion, bribery, intimidation, or otherwise, to induce or cause any contestant in a purportedly bona fide contest of intellectual knowledge or intellectual skill to refrain in any manner from using or displaying his knowledge or skill in such contest, whereby the outcome thereof will be in whole or in part prearranged or predetermined.
(3) To engage in any artifice or scheme for the purpose of prearranging or predetermining in whole or in part the outcome of a purportedly bona fide contest of intellectual knowledge, intellectual skill, or chance.
(4) To produce or participate in the production for broadcasting of, to broadcast or participate in the broadcasting of, to offer to a licensee for broadcasting, or to sponsor, any radio program, knowing or having reasonable ground for believing that, in connection with a purportedly bona fide contest of intellectual knowledge, intellectual skill, or chance constituting any part of such program, any person has done or is going to do any act or thing referred to in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection.
(5) To conspire with any other person or persons to do any act or thing prohibited by paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this subsection, if one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of such conspiracy.

(b) ``Contest'' and ``the listening or viewing public'' defined

For the purposes of this section--
(1) The term ``contest'' means any contest broadcast by a radio station in connection with which any money or any other thing of value is offered as a prize or prizes to be paid or presented by the program sponsor or by any other person or persons, as announced in the course of the broadcast.
(2) The term ``the listening or viewing public'' means those members of the public who, with the aid of radio receiving sets, listen to or view programs broadcast by radio stations.

(c) Penalties

Whoever violates subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title V, Sec. 508, formerly Sec. 509, as added Sept. 13, 1960, Pub. L. 96-752, Sec. 9, 74 Stat. 897; renumbered
Sec. 508, Dec. 8, 1980, Pub. L. 96-507, Sec. 1, 94 Stat. 2747.)

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 503 of this title.

Goddess146

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
There is a big difference between Goddess146 and Goddessatlaw. She is a true Goddess at law. I am just a Goddess at 146. She is smart and witty. I am just an opinioned b!tch (just ask Sanfranjoshfan). :-)

(and I don't know how to do graphical smiley faces.)

Ocean_Islands

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The only problem with quoting the above laws is that we are not certain that BB3 fits under the category of 'game shows' and if not this does not apply.

Mystery

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL Goddess! Just remove the nose. :)

Kellirippa

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
when it comes to the emmy's they aren't classified as game shows

Bohawkins

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The FCC code which some think might apply also to Big Brother is as follows:

A licensee that broadcasts or advertises information about a contest it conducts shall fully and accurately disclose the material terms of the contest, and shall conduct the contest substantially as announced or advertised. No contest description shall be false, misleading or deceptive with respect to any material term.

47 C.F.R. Section 73.1216

Beocca

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:26 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
All's I can say is if this is true and not a rumor.,.., What Babies!!!!! They were given a chance of a lifelife time and were paid huge stipeneds (last I heard it was 2000$ a week), didnt have to do a damn thing all summer. got paid to have fun , do nothing and get tv exposure all summer, they were nobodies and now they are household names, and they are crying that this game wasnt fair?? There are some people that would prolly spend the summer in the house for free!
WHA!!!!!!!WHA!!!!!WHAAAAAA!!!!!

Bohawkins

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:33 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Ocean Island... you can read that US code, and get a rather comfortable feeling that it would apply to Big Brother in spite of any agreements between the participants, or any disclaimers (which I haven't seen) advertised.

Most interesting is that it is unlawful to... deceive the viewing public. They, in effect, have a contract with us, the viewers. The AS contract with participants cannot negate that obligation.

The only reason I posted the US code, and the FCC rule was, in my experience, I have observed that in order to have discussions about the law, it's very nice to be able to study what the law says. It makes for a more intelligent conversation.

Mrbubble

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I just read this entire thread.

1st: Has anyone actually seen and read the BB contract? People keep saying you give up your life and your rights to ASP when you sign it. I'd like to see it myself?

2nd: If Lisa was offered more than the others to get her into the house, does that really matter? If I'm going for a job and I know the comapny really wants me, I'm going to get top dollar. Maybe even more than the guy in the next office doing the same thing. There is no law that says her pay has to be the same as the other cast members.

3rd: Two years ago when survivor broke up the tribes, there was a big stink. Last year, Jeff announced that the split was predetermined (scripted) to happen before the show went into production. If all the contests were designed before BB went into production, then the argument that they were made to create a certain outcome won't hold water. (Are they changing the dates on the scripts at ASP as we speak?)

4th: If all of this is true, you know that ASP is making deals (payoffs)with each of the EHG's to cancel the suit. (LOL, I can hear Julie saying, would you sign the paper for $20,000? $25,000?) They have to get the show on and over no matter what.

What's my point of all this? I don't have one. I just wanted to get in to all the shouting before the show is over.

Silksmoke

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I thought the stipend was $750.00/week.

At any rate, I'm not certain this rumor is true, although I can imagine some of the evicted houseguests complaining about how they were portrayed on the show. (the show that was nearly completely focused on Gerry and his hygiene/eating habits/physic etc. comes to mind)

I would also believe that Chiara is still bemoaning the fact that Amy came back in while she was unable to compete (in spite of the possibility stated earlier that she would have been quite satisfied if Eric had been the returning houseguest)

Marcellas is also complaining I'm sure, but that seems to be his general nature IMO.

Guess we will just have to wait and see.

Bohawkins

Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:56 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Here is language from paragraph three from the Survivor agreement (from the archives of the L.A. Superior Court, in reference to the Stacey Stillman suit). I am sure the BB agreement is at least this specific.

3. I have received, read and understood the Series rules… and the description of the Series activities…and I agree to follow and obey such rules (as they may be changed modified or amended by Producer in its sole discretion from time to time… I understand that Producer reserves the right, in its sole discretion to change… add to, delete from, modify or amend the terms, conditions and rules affecting the conduct of the contestants on the Series, the Series activities, the elimination of contestants from the Series and the granting of prizes.