Negative Vs. Fear Factor
OK, so on Tuesday "Shane" from NBC called to set up an interview with my girl and I for the TV show Fear Factor.
"Why did 'Shane' from NBC call you J***?" you ask? Well, a week or two ago a friend of mine sent me a link to a search for "Freaks & Geeks" to be on a TV show. They wanted pictures so I sent them one picture of me yelling at a banana (longtime readers know the one) and one of me playing with some of my many toys. You see, I had both categories covered.
So it ended up being "Freaks Vs. Geeks" for the aforementioned danglin' by your shorts, kangaroo testicle eatin', millipede lovin' "reality" show.
The guy on the phone sounded every bit like you'd expect a reality show producer (or assistant) to sound like. He was super jazzed about everything. He wanted me to have a female counterpart. He wanted us to set up a videophone interview on Thursday night.
For that purpose, I needed a speaker phone and a videocamera. I had neither. Since I had been planning on getting an entry level Mini-DV camera for a while I had already researched which model I wanted, (and it happened to be on sale) so that wasn't a problem. I didn't want to also buy a new phone and I didn't know anyone with a speaker phone, so that was a problem.
In the meantime, Shane was going to email me some documents and paperwork for me to look over and sign before the interview. As I was trying to figure out how to get a speaker phone, my girlfriend read over the application. Aside from the 18 million stupid questions, there was also a ridiculously oppresive legal aggreement. We would have had to turn over all rights to our souls "in perpetuity" to NBC just to do the interview.
Now, I think I would sell out for a certain amount of money, but I wasn't about to do so just for the chance to be on a show I don't watch.
I'm not saying I haven't been known to watch a reality show or two. I was into Survivor for a couple seasons. I don't watch it, but I'd do that one where they drop you off in a foreign country and you have to get back home. Hell, I've been on The Price Is Right, (well, in the audience anyway) but Fear Factor really isn't my bag.
You can (and will) call "sour grapes" on me, but check out this text:
Please sign and date the following NAME AND LIKENESS RELEASE AND TRANSFER OF RIGHTS:
By submitting the application I hereby consent to the recording, use and reuse by the Producers of the Program (defined below), NBC West, LLC, Endemol Project, Inc., Endemol Entertainment USA Inc., Lock and Key Productions, Pulse Creative, and any of their respective licensees, assignees, parents, subsidiaries, or affiliated entities and each of the respective employees, agents, officers and directors (collectively "Releasees") of my voice, actions, likeness, name, appearance, biographical material, and any information contained in my application to be a contestant in the Program or in any materials submitted by me in connection with my application (collectively "Likeness") in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide in perpetuity, in or in connection with the reality-based television series currently entitled "Fear Factor" (the "Program"). I agree the Releasees may use all or any part of my Likeness, and may alter or modify it regardless of whether or not I am recognizable. I further agree that Releasees exclusively own all right, title, and interest (including, without limitation, all copyrights) in and to any video that I have provided in connection with my application and any other materials that I have provided or may provide in connection with the Program (the "Materials") including, without limitation, the right to edit, alter or modify the Materials and to use all or part of the Materials and my Likeness in any and all media now known or hereafter devised worldwide, in perpetuity. I represent and warrant that the Materials (specifically including, without limitation, any videotaped material) will be free from any pornographic or graphically violent material, will contain no nudity, and will not contain any content that is contrary to law or which places any of the participants appearing on or off camera at serious risk or harm. I further agree that Releasees may use my Likeness and the Materials in connection with any promotion, publicity, marketing or advertisement for the Program. I grant the rights hereunder whether or not I am selected to participate in the Program in any manner whatsoever. I release Releasees from any and all liability arising out of its recording or use of my Likeness and/or the Materials. I agree not to make any claim against Releasees as a result of the recording or use of my Likeness and/or the Materials (including, without limitation, any claim that such use invades any right of privacy and/or publicity). I understand that I will not be paid any money for giving Releasees these rights, or for signing this agreement.
So there you have it. I'm not sure who won, but in the end, I'm not on Television.
Thank you
OK, so on Tuesday "Shane" from NBC called to set up an interview with my girl and I for the TV show Fear Factor.
"Why did 'Shane' from NBC call you J***?" you ask? Well, a week or two ago a friend of mine sent me a link to a search for "Freaks & Geeks" to be on a TV show. They wanted pictures so I sent them one picture of me yelling at a banana (longtime readers know the one) and one of me playing with some of my many toys. You see, I had both categories covered.
So it ended up being "Freaks Vs. Geeks" for the aforementioned danglin' by your shorts, kangaroo testicle eatin', millipede lovin' "reality" show.
The guy on the phone sounded every bit like you'd expect a reality show producer (or assistant) to sound like. He was super jazzed about everything. He wanted me to have a female counterpart. He wanted us to set up a videophone interview on Thursday night.
For that purpose, I needed a speaker phone and a videocamera. I had neither. Since I had been planning on getting an entry level Mini-DV camera for a while I had already researched which model I wanted, (and it happened to be on sale) so that wasn't a problem. I didn't want to also buy a new phone and I didn't know anyone with a speaker phone, so that was a problem.
In the meantime, Shane was going to email me some documents and paperwork for me to look over and sign before the interview. As I was trying to figure out how to get a speaker phone, my girlfriend read over the application. Aside from the 18 million stupid questions, there was also a ridiculously oppresive legal aggreement. We would have had to turn over all rights to our souls "in perpetuity" to NBC just to do the interview.
Now, I think I would sell out for a certain amount of money, but I wasn't about to do so just for the chance to be on a show I don't watch.
I'm not saying I haven't been known to watch a reality show or two. I was into Survivor for a couple seasons. I don't watch it, but I'd do that one where they drop you off in a foreign country and you have to get back home. Hell, I've been on The Price Is Right, (well, in the audience anyway) but Fear Factor really isn't my bag.
You can (and will) call "sour grapes" on me, but check out this text:
Please sign and date the following NAME AND LIKENESS RELEASE AND TRANSFER OF RIGHTS:
By submitting the application I hereby consent to the recording, use and reuse by the Producers of the Program (defined below), NBC West, LLC, Endemol Project, Inc., Endemol Entertainment USA Inc., Lock and Key Productions, Pulse Creative, and any of their respective licensees, assignees, parents, subsidiaries, or affiliated entities and each of the respective employees, agents, officers and directors (collectively "Releasees") of my voice, actions, likeness, name, appearance, biographical material, and any information contained in my application to be a contestant in the Program or in any materials submitted by me in connection with my application (collectively "Likeness") in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide in perpetuity, in or in connection with the reality-based television series currently entitled "Fear Factor" (the "Program"). I agree the Releasees may use all or any part of my Likeness, and may alter or modify it regardless of whether or not I am recognizable. I further agree that Releasees exclusively own all right, title, and interest (including, without limitation, all copyrights) in and to any video that I have provided in connection with my application and any other materials that I have provided or may provide in connection with the Program (the "Materials") including, without limitation, the right to edit, alter or modify the Materials and to use all or part of the Materials and my Likeness in any and all media now known or hereafter devised worldwide, in perpetuity. I represent and warrant that the Materials (specifically including, without limitation, any videotaped material) will be free from any pornographic or graphically violent material, will contain no nudity, and will not contain any content that is contrary to law or which places any of the participants appearing on or off camera at serious risk or harm. I further agree that Releasees may use my Likeness and the Materials in connection with any promotion, publicity, marketing or advertisement for the Program. I grant the rights hereunder whether or not I am selected to participate in the Program in any manner whatsoever. I release Releasees from any and all liability arising out of its recording or use of my Likeness and/or the Materials. I agree not to make any claim against Releasees as a result of the recording or use of my Likeness and/or the Materials (including, without limitation, any claim that such use invades any right of privacy and/or publicity). I understand that I will not be paid any money for giving Releasees these rights, or for signing this agreement.
So there you have it. I'm not sure who won, but in the end, I'm not on Television.
Thank you
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