Producer sues ex-agent over 'Work'
TV producer David Russo has sued his former agent in Los Angeles Superior Court for $5 million, claiming she stole his idea for a reality show centered in a gym, which eventually became Bravo's Work Out.
Russo alleges in the lawsuit filed Wednesday that Amy Shpall, a former UTA agent who is an executive producer on Work Out, was privy to his concept for a reality show called The Gym and worked with him to develop the show. Also named as defendants are Work Out executive producer Bruce Toms, production company Mentorn USA, NBC Universal and UTA.
Shpall and Toms are repped by WMA and could not be reached for comment.
A UTA spokesman said the company had not seen a copy of the lawsuit but did confirm that Shpall has not worked at the agency since 2004. A rep for London-based Mentorn could not be reached for comment.
Russo, whose executive producer credits include Hey Paula!, Magic Johnson's Who's Got Game and Combat Missions, claims that in 2004 he shared several drafts of his treatments for The Gym and his ideas to create a brand name and platform to merchandise health and fitness products with Shpall.
Russo alleges in the lawsuit filed Wednesday that Amy Shpall, a former UTA agent who is an executive producer on Work Out, was privy to his concept for a reality show called The Gym and worked with him to develop the show. Also named as defendants are Work Out executive producer Bruce Toms, production company Mentorn USA, NBC Universal and UTA.
Shpall and Toms are repped by WMA and could not be reached for comment.
A UTA spokesman said the company had not seen a copy of the lawsuit but did confirm that Shpall has not worked at the agency since 2004. A rep for London-based Mentorn could not be reached for comment.
Russo, whose executive producer credits include Hey Paula!, Magic Johnson's Who's Got Game and Combat Missions, claims that in 2004 he shared several drafts of his treatments for The Gym and his ideas to create a brand name and platform to merchandise health and fitness products with Shpall.
- 12/28/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CBS programs Sloan as new reality head
Chris Sloan has been named head of reality and alternative programming at CBS. Sloan, who joins the network as vp alternative programming, will oversee the development and production of all of CBS' alternative programming, including reality series and game shows. He'll report to CBS Entertainment president Nancy Tellem when he starts his new position after Labor Day. "Chris' experience and out-of-the-box thinking will help build upon CBS' leadership position in the reality and alternative programming area," Tellem said. Sloan, who had been vp production at TLC since 2003, replaces Ghen Maynard, who left his post as CBS senior vp alternative series development and creative strategies in May to join NBC as head of comedy and drama development. While he was at TLC, Sloan oversaw all of the cable network's programming, including the series Trading Spaces, Trading Spaces: Home Free, Overhaulin', Bodywork and Faking It. Before TLC, he was senior vp reality programming and specials at USA Network, where he oversaw and developed all nonscripted programming. At USA, Sloan helped develop the series Nashville Star, The Real Cannonball Run and Combat Missions.
- 8/18/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Barron to lead reality effort at UPN
Following the success of its summer reality hit America's Next Top Model, UPN is stepping up its reality development, tapping Larry Barron as vp alternative programs. In the newly created position, Barron will oversee the development and day-to-day production of UPN's alternative and reality programming, reporting to Ghen Maynard, senior vp alternative series development and creative strategies at CBS, who also oversees alternative programming for sister network UPN. "Since Ghen brought 'America's Next Top Model' to UPN, we have become more aggressive in our pursuit of high-quality reality and alternative programming," UPN entertainment president Dawn Ostroff said. "With Larry's background and experience as a producer, we now have a terrific in-house alternative executive to make UPN even more competitive in this genre." Barron was a network consultant on Top Model and served as co-executive producer on Fox's Paradise Hotel. His producing credits also include Jerry Bruckheimer's Emmy-winning CBS series The Amazing Race, Tony and Ridley Scott's American Fighter Pilot and Mark Burnett's Combat Missions.
- 10/29/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sloan exits post as USA senior vp
Chris Sloan, senior vp alternative programming at USA Networks, has left the cable channel to pursue other production opportunities, according to a spokesman at the company. No immediate plans for a replacement have been implemented. In his tenure at USA, the reality programming he oversaw has been met with mixed results. The primetime military-themed series Combat Missions and late-night game show Smush were underwhelming additions to USA's schedule, but he also shepherded such high-profile specials as The American Film Institute Life Achievement Award honoring Tom Hanks and the upcoming A Motown Christmas. Sloan will stay on in a production capacity with Nashville Star, a music reality series scheduled to premiere on USA in March.
- 12/5/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.