Reality TV Stars Bite Back. Sued for $1.0 Million by Producers

"The Big Loser" is already the name of a reality TV series, but many other reality shows really do end up with big losers when actors seeking their fifteen minutes of fame in Hollywood are cancelled or disqualified from reality shows by the producers. Often the losers on these shows come back to the set to stalk and threaten the cast and crew, or sit at home firing off libelous and slanderous internet blogs in an attempt to destroy the reputation of the shows, producers and cast. Dallas Tanner, producer, creator, and director of "Destination X" an adventure reality show announced that their production company had to get restraining orders and file civil and criminal complaints against several members of the tv production who were cancelled off their reality show. Tanner claims that when he was directing and filming his show in Hawaii in December, several cancelled members who were kicked off the reality show and who did not make the cut to complete the reality series, threatened the producer, threatened cast members and even contacted a local violent gang in Hawaii attempting to extort the producers. According to the attorneys representing Tanner, several cast members attempted to extort and blackmail the producers of the show by threatening to ruin the reputation of Tanner and show by posting libelous and defamatory comments on internet blogs unless Tanner agreed to bring two of the cast members back on the show and pay them thousands of dollars. According to criminal prosecution expert Michael Shapiro, the several rejected cast members blackmailed and extorted Tanner, threatening to destroy the reputation of show, walked off and stole thousands of dollars in wardrobe from the show, and then proceeded to post vicious and false internet blogs online libeling the producers and directors. According to Shapiro, many actors who are cancelled off of reality shows, or who have contractural disputes with the producers often feel angry and their anger has caused them to break the law. "Just because you feel rejected or cheated, does not give you the right to break criminal laws and threaten, extort and libel someone"-Shapiro stated. According to Shapiro, unfortunately these threats and even the posting of defamatory internet blogs can lead to severe legal action being taken by producers to protect themselves, their cast and their reputations. Under the circumstances, such remedies for producers in the past have included obtaining restraining orders against the spurned actors and losers of the shows when they ignorantly break defamation and libel laws and sometimes even can be arrested for extortion and blackmail in certain cases. Shapiro feels his client Tanner's case is very solid, as they have uncovered evidence that spurned members went as far as breaking anti-terrorism laws when the disgruntled cast contacted a notorious gang to go and threaten the cast and crew while filming. Shapiro stated" Hollywood courts are very aware of these sort of cases and in the past have awarded millions of dollars to Hollywood producers and directors who depend on positive audience response for their shows, but who's sponsors and audience can be misled by false, and misleading information about the shows, the show's producers and the contents of the show that is posted online by the losers on reality shows. In the case of some reality shows, they have even had their harassers arrested for black mail and extortion when former crew members or associates threatened to destroy their reputation unless they were paid off." Tanner stated " Sometimes people who are failures and get rejection, turn all of that negative energy in the wrong direction, unfortunately if they threaten me, our cast or crew, we will take it very seriously and we will prosecute". The producers are seeking damages in excess of $1.0 million from the scorned participants who were cancelled off the show and from an outside former associate and employee of the producers who violated libel and defamation law. Shapiro added that an additional party or two who did not work on the show, but acted outside of the production might be added to the restraining order, defamation lawsuit and criminal complaint pending an ongoing investigations. Shapiro's and his team is heading up on behalf of Tanner, a complete investigation and evidence is being turned over to both Superior court in Los Angeles as well as the Local District Attorney's office for further criminal prosecution.