Boot Camp Lawsuit
The ClubHouse: Boot Camp: Boot Camp Lawsuit
Grooch | Tuesday, April 10, 2001 - 07:33 am  I guess every reality show needs its own lawsuit: CBS sues Fox over ``Boot Camp'' By Janet Shprintz and Josef Adalian HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - CBS and the producers of ``Survivor'' are suing Fox Broadcasting Co. over the new Fox reality series ''Boot Camp,'' which CBS claims is a blatant rip-off of its non-scripted megahit. The complaint, filed late Monday in federal court in Los Angeles, alleges that ``Boot Camp'' violates federal copyright law and California state law by copying significant elements of ``Survivor'' to capitalize on the CBS series' success. CBS insiders said the suit comes only after attempts to discuss the Eye network's problems regarding ``Boot Camp'' with Fox executives proved unsuccessful. ``This is a serious attempt to stop anyone, both now and in the future, from ripping off the family jewels,'' one CBS insider said. The lawsuit alleges ``Boot Camp'' producer LMNO Prods. initially pitched the show to CBS Television chief Leslie Moonves on June 15, 2000. According to the complaint, LMNO head Eric Schotz and creative affairs executive Bill Paolantonio proposed the idea for ``Boot Camp'' to CBS as a reality-based program designed to capitalize on the success of ``Survivor.'' Drill instructors, rather than other contestants (as on ``Survivor''), would decide who gets voted off the show. After CBS turned down the pitch, according to the complaint, LMNO modified the show to be even more like ``Survivor,'' with contestants doing the voting. In addition, LMNO hired Scott Messick, a producer of the first ``Survivor,'' as director and executive producer of ``Boot Camp.'' Fox and LMNO did not return calls seeking comment. Among the many similarities between the shows mentioned in the complaint are that both put non-actor contestants in harsh conditions and require them to work together as a team to accomplish difficult tasks. ``Boot Camp'' also copies the ``Survivor'' technique of interspersing private interviews with contestants discussing their strategies and reactions to the other contestants. ``The only thing missing (from 'Boot Camp') are the quality and the ratings,'' another CBS source said. As evidence of copying, the complaint cites several articles that appeared after Fox broadcast the first episode of ``Boot Camp'' in March. Daily Variety said the show borrowed shamelessly from ``Survivor.'' Fox is facing legal heat related to another of its reality series -- two contestants from the network's ''Temptation Island (news - Y! TV)'' are seeking damages stemming from the way they were removed from the program. CBS also has had to deal with legal issues concerning ``Survivor,'' including a lawsuit from former contestant Kelly Wigglesworth. CBS has countersued Wigglesworth. Reuters/Variety REUTERS |
Leap | Tuesday, April 10, 2001 - 09:31 am  Do you think that is a mistake regarding Wigglesworth? Don't they mean Stacey? Or, is there another lawsuit that I am unaware of? |
Moondance | Tuesday, April 10, 2001 - 12:56 pm  Lawyers must love Reality TV! |
Penpoint | Tuesday, April 10, 2001 - 09:15 pm  What a stupid lawsuit! It's as silly as if "Frasier" sued "Titus" because they used the relationship of two brothers and their father in a situation comedy, or if "60 Minutes" sued "20/20" for using their magazine format! |
Puttergirl | Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 01:15 pm  Every reality show since Survivor has been a rip-off of it!!! So what? |
Max | Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 01:28 pm  Yup. You'd think they would be flattered! They still get the best ratings (due to the best promotional program in TV) of all the shows, so what is their beef? GREED! |
Seamonkey | Thursday, April 12, 2001 - 01:55 pm  Catherine Crier will discuss this suit at 5pm (eastern and pacific).. Court TV. One of four stories. CourtTV |
Moondance | Monday, April 16, 2001 - 11:47 am  BTW ... not sure if this has been discuss but the producer of Boot Camp was one of the directors last year for Survivor so that is one of the reasons for MB suing |
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