Contestant sues reality show, claims she was shocked and humiliated

A woman who claims she was duped into believing she was a contestant on a “Making the Band”-type series is suing E! and others involved in “Reality Hell”, a show that tricks people into thinking they are participating in new reality shows.

The woman suffered “mental and emotional anguish, fright, horror, nervousness, grief, anxiety, worry, shock, humiliation, shame, embarrassment and fear” when she learned there was no “girl band” show and that the other contestants were actually actors, according to a suit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The woman, Malena Brush, is seeking unspecified financial damages from the network, a casting agency and others on a dozen grounds, including intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and false imprisonment. The show has not yet aired, according to the suit.

Her lawyer wrote in the suit that Brush was “instructed ... to engage in humiliating activities” at her home during a filming session for what she was told was a “behind-the-scenes backstory.”

According to the suit, she later spent eight hours at a recording studio surrounded by people she was told were other members of the singing group and “recording studio personalities.” During this time, her attorney wrote, those employed by the show “proceeded to harass, embarrass, heckle, insult and offend” Brush.

When she learned she had been duped, she tried to leave the studio, but had no transportation home, according to the suit. “Under duress” she agreed to a videotaped interview so she could leave, the suit contends.

A spokeswoman for E! declined to comment, citing a network policy not to comment on litigation. Representatives from Sam Rhima Casting, a casting agency named in the suit, did not return messages. 

Announcing “Reality Hell” last month, a network executive told Daily Variety, "So many people are drawn to reality shows for their small taste of fame and ironically, this show gives it to those willing participants who are just very much excited to be part of the reality process. I can tell you the joy they get from when they find out they're on ['Reality Hell'] has been very fun for us."

-- Harriet Ryan 

Comments

[John Bard]

Fantastic idea, I love it! Let's see these wannabees suffer any and every humiliation in order to get their fifteen minutes. Serves them right, screen this episode now!

[CSD]

If you are entering any reality show willingly, you have already humiliated yourself and need nor further assistance there. Suing over this shows that you are not only humiliated, but stupid beyond belief. Go crawl under a rock and cry yourself to sleep.

[sandman]

Reality shows ARE entertaining....and fun...and provide a mix of disbelief and voyeurism that we all seem to crave....but...BIG BUT....anytime you base your show on a negative, duplicitous premise....reward nasty, inhumane behavior and really believe (Network Executive-BIMBO/BUBBA!) that this is OK...you deserve to be sued if someone has been hurt and shamed. Risky business.....

I hope the contestant takes all that you have left in your AIG accounts....and I hope that you can sleep at night....hard creative ass and all!

Why don't you do something on gratitude...or leadership or rage turned into love..or something....

[kristin]

Just about every reality show humiliates the contestants. Give me a break.

[roy]

That's what happens you try to be a star.

[curtisthecurtis]

That's why you should be careful what you wish for...sometimes it comes true...

[Peter Swiadon]

A contestant on a Reality show is suing because she was humiliated? Has she never seen one of these shows? That's what they are about: humiliating people. I hope the judge has the sense to throw this one out of court.

[Mufon]

This could be the start of a new concept, melding reality shows with courtroom drama. You go on a reality show of some type, look foolish, then sue and it transitions to a courtroom drama.

[jane doe]

i hope she wins.

[Louie]

She could have walked away at anytime, she's the one who wanted to be a "reality star". No sypathy here.

[cccnp]

I'd nail these people to a wall..

A contract that contradicts everything it was supposed to be..

I hope she gets the max from the tv douche bags.

[hunkman]

You have to be kidding. Lets start by saying "reality" shows are not REALITY! They are a show. The fact that one person said they are voyeuristic, and intentionally humiliate people is pathetic. We as a society have sunk to the point that we "love to see others humiliated and suffer" to make our own lives seem more important or valuable. That is disgusting, we should not make "celebrities" of people for being petty, poor, dumb, or rude. I am ashamed that the human race has gotten to the point that "reality" is mixed up with fiction and humiliation is entertainment....What ever happened to supporting, caring, respecting, and helping each other. We would be much better off if we all did that, and not laugh at the suffering or shortcomings of others.

[JewelD]

Wow - cynical, cold-blooded and mean-spirited...

I hope she wins BIG time. It's called FRAUD.

E is a nasty network/ producer- anyone I know who has worked there has been overworked and abused - no surprise they would come up with this too.

Go get 'em girl!!!

[kooo]

HAHAHAHAHA! Apparently, this girl has never seen the show "Punk'nd" or "Candid Camera"... I bet if she was recruited to be one of the "actors" on this show, she would've signed in a heart beat... Poetic justice aint it?

[Rog]

I am so damn sick of reality shows and the lowest common denominator mentality of those who participate or watch. Television has many worthwhile, fun shows like 24, Lost, Mad Men, Entourage, etc. --But, the low cost of reality for the networks makes it so easy to produce. In the not too distant future, the early 21th Century media will be ridiculed for its viewable content. In the meantime, we have "Reality Hell," and its disgusting ilk. (Cut my thoughts down to 140 characters and Twitter that!!!)

[Donna]

This will probably be thrown out of court because I'm sure these shows make you sign something saying you can't sue them. What an idiot..... seriously. You didn't get your 15 minutes of fame, get over it.

[IlliniWatcher]

@Mufon: Great idea! It could start on the Fox Reality Channel and finish on Nancy Grace.

Yeah, I'm in agreement with another poster - some of this stuff has just gotten out of hand. Bill Maher stated it best in his book "New Rules" - we're willing to do unspeakably horrible things to each other for money, and faked reality shows - nothing other than extended practical jokes - falls into that category.

It reminds me of "The Jenny Jones Show" from years ago when they did an "ambush" show on secret crushes. The show's producers thought it would be oh-so-funny to have a straight guy come on the show thinking he'd be told a chick had a crush on him, only to find out it was a guy. They did it. A gay guy admitted his crush to the straight guy. The straight guy flipped out and murdered him. The show was sued and tried to evade responsibility but wound up looking very bad. That's the last time we collectively asked the "have reality shows gone too far" question.

While it is true that a certain type of individual is drawn to reality shows (exhibitionists) not all reality shows are the same, or have the same quality. Some are unquestionably trashier than others. "The Amazing Race" - good. "The Apprentice" - not so much.

I hope the woman suing prevails. Respect and civility are at an all-time low in the U.S. We don't need any other ways to degrade each other, and the production company behind this needs to eat it.

[ST]

Yes. Sue them. They are making money by humiliating people. They should pay. Don't blame the victim.

[Elver Gon]

All you people saying she deserves it, I just wonder if your son or daughter were trick into something like this would you feel the same? she didn't enter a money contest, she was going after a music career, now that will hurt someone emotional and mentally especially when everyone was in it.

[Wolverine]

I think if a person willingly volunteers to be a participant on a reality show, knowing full well that those show manipulate and humiliate, and the sign whatever contract they sign, they have zero grounds to decide that they are not okay with the result, and then sue. It's a waste of the court's time, and this girl is just clearly trying to make some money. That's the real problem. People think reality shows are shortcut to fame and fortune, and when people don't get that fame or fortune, they try to figure out other ways to capitalize on the experience they chose to endure.

[somebodystolemynamefatboy]

Fifteen minutes of fame, ANOTHER fifteen minutes, AND a bag of loot. Is this a great country or what.

[frank]

get a LIFE!

[Natalie DeJohn]

Ah man, this was my idea! I should have jumped on it. I thought it would be hilarious to watch people compete in a fake girl band competition. How did I miss this?

[David Jacobson]

Anyone who still thinks that being on a reality show will not make them look like idiots is just that and more.

[Lola Beene]

You guys have no idea what it's like to be promised that you have a chance to reach your dreams---- then do whatever it takes----- then be told it's all a joke... this TV show exploits people and is wrong.