The Real Housewives Of New Jersey Contract Leaked, Exposes Reality Show Secrets
September 23, 2013 by Lindsay Cronin
How real is reality TV? The reality, in reality shows, has long been brought into question. Are scenes re-shot? Are scenes staged? Are the stars fed lines? Is the drama authentic? These are all questions fans, and others, would love to know and in a new publication, they are getting their first look at what is really going down behind the scenes.
In a leaked contract for Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey obtained by Radar Online, fans are being exposed to the “appearance release form” which basically states that anything a participant does or says can be spun in any direction that producers see fit.
“The rights granted herein shall also include the right to edit, delete, dub and fictionalize the Footage and Materials, the Program and the Advertisements as Producer sees fit in Producer’s sole discretion,” the form reads.
Also in the document, it is stated that the company can not be held responsible if the participating party is injured, defamed or if “personal, private, surprising, disparaging and embarrassing” details of their life are revealed — or lied about. So, if you go on a reality show and someone says something humiliating about you, you can’t sue production.
The form, in total, contains 17 terms which participants must agree to before they will be filmed for any scene — regardless of how important that scene may be to the show. Below are just a few:
- They will not be paid for participating.
- The show may expose them to “public ridicule, humiliation or condemnation” and may portray them in a false light.
- They must wear “clothing, costumes, accessories and/or makeup” at the discretion of producers.
- Their appearances on the show are “not a performance and is not (considered) employment. I acknowledge that I am a volunteer.”
- Footage of them may be “exploited throughout the universe at any time, in perpetuity… without any compensation to me whatsoever.”
A separate portion of the document reads, “I agree that I will never sue Producer, Sirens Media, LLC (“Sirens Media”), NBCUniversal Media, LLC, Network or anyone because I do not like the manner in which Producer or its licensees or assignees took or used the Footage and Materials or used the Footage and Materials in the Program.”
“Any breach by me of any of the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement would cause Producer and Network irreparable injury and damage that cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated by damages… therefore, I hereby expressly agree that Producer and Network shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief.”
In conclusion, the participant must agree to pay $50,000 “per breach plus disgorgement of any income that I may receive in connection with my breach as liquidated damages in the event that I breach any of the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement.”