I love this article because I despise the pseudo-reality tv shows that pander to the dumbing down of Americans who live vicariously through others. It reminds me of the phony wrestling shows, Jerry Springer and Fox news. Not only do these shows exploit the participants, the audience, they are also exploiting the employees behind the scene.
It’s all about MONEY.
Wake up America. Stop watching this shit.
Reality TV writers claim Calif. labor law breaches
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A dozen writers who work in the booming arena of “reality” television have sued networks and production companies for what they say are violations of California labor law governing overtime wages and meal breaks.
The suit seeks class-action status for reality TV staffers who toil anonymously to create dramatic tension — and the artifice of spontaneity — with such job titles as story editor, story producer, story assistant or segment producer.
The suit claims those workers routinely work more than 80 hours a week without overtime, are denied work breaks for meals and are required to falsify their time cards.
“These violations of California law are no mere accounting errors,” said Daniel Petrie Jr., president of the West Coast branch of the Writers Guild of America. “They are deliberately designed to deny these writers the basic rights and legal protections of fair wages.”
He said the suit underscored the “sweatshop” conditions the WGA says are rampant in the burgeoning realm of reality shows, which generally can be produced more cheaply and quickly than scripted shows.
Unscripted programs starring B-list celebrities or supposedly ordinary folks competing for romance, money and 15 minutes of fame have taken up a growing share of prime time in recent years. Many such shows are among the most popular on U.S. television.
“Reality shows” are FAKE. But the dumbed down populace hearts FAKE: Fake news, Fake problems, fake issues, fake presidents, fake religion etc., etc.
