{"id":26596,"date":"2023-08-04T09:36:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T16:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.creativespikedigital.com\/lftc\/?p=26596"},"modified":"2024-10-31T16:38:38","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T23:38:38","slug":"nbcuniversal-offers-circumspect-response-to-sordid-dark-underbelly-of-reality-tv-allegations-porn-sexual-violence-booze-abuse-claimed-as-lawsuit-looms-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.creativespikedigital.com\/lftc\/news\/entertainment\/nbcuniversal-offers-circumspect-response-to-sordid-dark-underbelly-of-reality-tv-allegations-porn-sexual-violence-booze-abuse-claimed-as-lawsuit-looms-update\/","title":{"rendered":"NBCUniversal Offers Circumspect Response To \u201cSordid & Dark Underbelly\u201d Of Reality TV Allegations; Porn, Sexual Violence, Booze Abuse Claimed As Lawsuit Looms \u2013 Update"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(Updated, 1:10 PM with NBCU statement) <\/strong>In Hollywood\u2019s current labor climate, Bethenny Frankel<\/a>\u2019s desire for a reality TV stars union may seem like a sideshow. However, as NBCUniversal<\/a> learned this week, the Real Housewives<\/a> <\/em>vet and her lawyers want to put the matter centerstage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease be advised that the day of reckoning has arrived,\u201d exclaims a distinctly not understated letter sent on August 3 to NBCU top in-house lawyer Kimberley Harris from attorney Bryan Freedman<\/a> in conjunction with fellow lawyer Mark Geragos (read it here<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advising the Comcast EVP and NBCU General Counsel that they are representing a \u201csignificant number of individuals\u201d from the so-called unscripted space, the attorneys blast the media giant for alleged \u201cgrotesque and depraved mistreatment of the reality stars and crewmembers.\u201d They pound the drum even harder with affirmations that the \u201csordid and dark underbelly of NBC\u2019s widely consumed reality TV universe has remained under wraps for far too long.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now this is the kind of language Tinseltown lawyers love to use to strike fear in the hearts and wallets of their targets. And, most of us would assume that it\u2019s obvious that \u201csordid\u201d is literally the soul of reality TV. However, underneath the hyperbolic phrases there is a very real point to Freedman\u2019s letter, an opening stage so to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Declaring virtually every piece of paper and gigabit the company has ever had about reality TV shows like the Real Housewives<\/em> franchise has to now be preserved as possible evidence for a lawsuit, the lawyers also state that \u201cwhile our investigation is still ongoing, we have reason to believe that cast members and crewmembers on NBC reality TV shows have been subjected to disturbing mistreatment by NBCUniversal and\/or its employees, contractors, and third-party affiliates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building off Frankel\u2019s union aims, the list of such mistreatment that Freedman lays out is both specific and wide-ranging \u2013 \u2013 a.k.a. perfect for a future lawsuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A warning shot that probably has already caused shrapnel, the bullet points NBCU and Bravo<\/a> are facing here include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n