Starring in reality tv is not for everyone. It is important to remember that part of the reason why is the transition to public life and how participants are legally allowed to handle it.
Allison Barnard, a wellness coach for reality tv cast members based in Los Angeles, broke down the perils of stardom via such a program on New Hampshire Public Radio’s Word of Mouth segment. The guest spot followed a profile in Broadly. NHPR tweeted a link to the segment.
The reality TV ‘social experiment’
Barnard explained that she grew up when reality TV programs were just catching on with audiences, and then witnessed the very public struggles of the participants several years down the road. While not every cast member deals with these issues, it is important for participants to understand just what they are getting into.
Part of the issue is the agreements people sign prior to starring in these shows. Barnard called reality TV a “social experiment” while noting that it is nearly impossible to behave normally in the situations these sorts of programs call for. These circumstances shape characters that may not exist in real life, though viewers will be led to believe they do. There is little that cast members can do to fight this perception due to the contracts they sign.
A careful approach to contracts is necessary
These agreements typically give producers free reign to edit film in an effort to create more dramatic situations, and cast members are legally barred from explaining their side of the story. In other countries, Barnard explained, some reality shows actually begin with disclaimers informing the audience that some of the situations depicted are dramatized or scripted. She noted that often this is enough to separate the false personas of participants from their real selves.
However, in the US, these disclaimers aren’t typically used, making it more difficult for the audience, and oftentimes the stars themselves, to separate the TV character from the real person. Contract provisions prohibiting disclosures about what goes on during filming and giving producers permission to create dramatized situations only enforces the emergence of the false persona.
What to do if you’re considering appearing on reality tv
Reality TV participants, or people who will soon be cast members, should go over their contracts with experts to learn more about non-disclosure clauses and similar provisions. In addition, they should prepare for what may come both during and after filming.
If you’re signing a reality TV agreement soon, but would like to learn more about provisions within the agreement, as well as what you can do to make the transition to public life easier, speak with an entertainment attorney.
Corporate Consolidation and Antitrust Issues in Mergers
Corporate consolidation involves two or more businesses merging to become a single larger entity. The result is often a stronger and more competitive company that can better navigate today’s competitive marketplace. What Is Corporate Consolidation? Corporate consolidation closely resembles a basic merger transaction. The primary difference is that a consolidation creates an entirely new business […]
Business law plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of running a successful enterprise, from negotiating a commercial lease to drafting employee policies to fulfilling corporate disclosure obligations. Understanding what is business law and your legal obligations can help your business run smoothly and build productive relationships with clients, business partners, regulators, and others. […]
Corporate Transactions: Best Practices for Successful Deals
Corporate transactions can have significant implications for a corporation and its stakeholders. For deals to be successful, companies must act strategically to maximize value and minimize risk. It is also important to fully understand the legal and financial ramifications of corporate transactions, both in the near and long term. Understanding Corporate Transactions The term “corporate […]
How to Conduct a Fair and Legal Employee Termination in 2025
Ongoing economic uncertainty is forcing many companies to make tough decisions, which includes lowering staff levels. The legal landscape on both the state and federal level also continues to evolve, especially with significant changes to the priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) under the Trump Administration. Terminating an employee is one of the […]
Admin Dissolution for Annual Report: What You Need to Know
While filing annual reports may seem like a nuisance, failing to do so can have significant ramifications. These include fines, reputational harm, and interruption of your business operations. In basic terms, “admin dissolution for annual report” means that a company is dissolved by the government. This happens because it failed to submit its annual report […]
Antitrust laws are designed to ensure that businesses compete fairly. There are three federal antitrust laws that businesses must navigate. These include the Sherman Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Clayton Act. States also have their own antitrust regimes. These may vary from federal regulations. Understanding antitrust litigation helps businesses navigate these complex […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
