Reality TV May Become The Next Front In The Hollywood Labor Movement
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Amid the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, another Hollywood group is pondering unionization. Reality TV stars have brought forward complaints against poor conditions on set including, participants being fueled by alcohol, deprived of mental health care, exploitation of minors, and sexual violence cover-ups, among other things.
Former Real Housewives star Bethenny Frankel urged other reality stars to join the strike movement to fight for better working conditions for reality show participants. Frankel’s lawyers are suing NBCUniversal to address the “grotesque treatment” and nondisclosure agreements. Because the shows are unscripted, reality stars are often required to remain quiet about major events. However, these NDAs are subject to abuse and can prevent reality show participants from calling out the mistreatment of workers.
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The nature of reality shows attracts some people with Hollywood dreams who see these shows as their pathway to an acting career. Employment lawyer Ann Fromholz explained, “They’re always going to find someone willing to sign whatever they need them to sign because they think it might be the way to get into the entertainment industry. Maybe that’ll be their big break. That possibility is attractive to enough [that some] people are willing to sign whatever agreement is put in front of them.”
She continued, “Almost assuredly, if there’s a union and a collective bargaining agreement in place, those types of agreements would not be acceptable.” Unionization would be difficult due to the broad range of reality shows. Since most reality stars are appearing as themselves, there is some debate about whether they should be covered by SAG-AFTRA. However, some reality performers are already a part of the union. Regardless, many believe that reality performers should be able to raise issues without fear of losing their jobs. With the writers and actors still on strike, studios are relying on reality shows and game shows to fill their schedules. If reality stars join the strike, the studios will have almost nothing to release in the next television season.
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Source(s): The Hollywood Reporter, Collider
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