So, you want to be a reality show contestant? If you do, make sure you read through your contestant application. You'll find some important information there. Things you'd want to know before signing your name. Here's Fox's application for the coming season of American Idol (you'll need to have Adobe's PDF reader installed to view the document).
I'll highlight a few points:
"I grant to Producers and its successors, licensees and assigns, the irrevocable right, but not the obligation, with or without my knowledge, to film, tape and/or photograph, record, exhibit, edit and otherwise use my appearance, name, likeness, voice, singing voice, conversation, sounds and biographical data on or in connection with the Program in any manner in Producer's sole election and discretion, which use shall not entitle me to receive to receive any compensation whatsoever."
In other words, if you're the worst singer in the world, you're giving American Idol the right to replay your humiliating audition over, and over, and over, and over, until the end of time. And if they put together one of those "worst of" DVDs, and replay your audition footage...no money for you!
Suppose you're a musician and you audition for American Idol...and you make it! You're on television! What's that? You want to perform an original number on the show? Sure, go for it! Just keep this in mind:
"In the event I perform original music on the Program written or controlled by me, I hearby grant to Producer, without charge, the rights necessary to perform such music on the Program and the rights required to exploit the Program and the ancillary rights therein, inclusive of the music, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, or for any other purpose, throughout the universe in perpetuity."
In other words...American Idol can play your music forever without paying you royalties. Good deal, huh?
Article comments
1 - Mark Sahm
Shhh, Scott... don't tell the masses the fine print. Anyone who goes on American Idol deserves every last detail of that contract. :)
Nice article though. It illustrates that TV networks can capitalize on idiots' lust for fame just as easily as the music industry does.
2 - Scott C. Smith
I suspect that folks will still sign the application, even if they know what it entails, because it's worth it all for a few minutes of fame...right?
3 - rodJoh.
Well, after 4 seasons I would assume people are already aware of all this, but still its sorta creepy to read this kinda stuff.