When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
05-25-09 | 12:06 AM
#1
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When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
I'm wondering how common this type of thing is, since writers of television shows often reveal they get names and character's traits from real people in their own lives.
http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_New...9481243098467/
http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_New...9481243098467/
LOS ANGELES, May 23 (UPI) -- Two real estate agents allege in a Los Angeles County lawsuit a "CSI" producer named two morally challenged characters on the TV series after them.
Real estate agents Scott and Melinda Tamkin allege in a Los Angeles County Superior Court defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuit that "CSI" producer Sarah Goldfinger created corrupt characters using their names, the Los Angeles Times said Saturday.
The agents allege in the suit that Goldfinger cost them potential business and embarrassed them "by creating from whole cloth characters engaged in a reckless lifestyle of sexual bondage, pornography, drunkenness, marital discord, depression, financial straits and possibly even murder."
The characters from the "CSI" episode, "Deep Fried and Minty Fresh," were named Scott and Melinda Tamkin, but were portrayed as conniving real estate agents who engaged in sadomasochism, the report said.
The Reporter said the Tamkins previously dealt with Goldfinger on an unsuccessful house sale four years ago.
The $6 million suit also names CBS, Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Goldman, Sachs Capital Partners as co-defendants.
Real estate agents Scott and Melinda Tamkin allege in a Los Angeles County Superior Court defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuit that "CSI" producer Sarah Goldfinger created corrupt characters using their names, the Los Angeles Times said Saturday.
The agents allege in the suit that Goldfinger cost them potential business and embarrassed them "by creating from whole cloth characters engaged in a reckless lifestyle of sexual bondage, pornography, drunkenness, marital discord, depression, financial straits and possibly even murder."
The characters from the "CSI" episode, "Deep Fried and Minty Fresh," were named Scott and Melinda Tamkin, but were portrayed as conniving real estate agents who engaged in sadomasochism, the report said.
The Reporter said the Tamkins previously dealt with Goldfinger on an unsuccessful house sale four years ago.
The $6 million suit also names CBS, Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Goldman, Sachs Capital Partners as co-defendants.
05-25-09 | 02:17 AM
#2
DVD Talk God
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
The worst case scenario from this is that CBS will probably let Goldfinger go. Actually she isn't even a "official" staff member of the show and isn't under contract. She's labeled as a "Consulting Producer" which is only a part-timer who helps out with the show occasionally.
05-25-09 | 02:59 AM
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Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
She was originally an executive story editor, then a supervising producer. Perhaps she limited her role on the show herself, so if she is let go it wouldn't be that big of a deal to her.
05-25-09 | 03:51 AM
#4
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
I didn't get upset when they named the ripped firefighter "Kevin Nelson" on Private Practice, and therefore they shouldn't be upset either!
05-25-09 | 09:45 AM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
I'd actually be more likely to do business with real estate people that were into kinky sex and S&M, but that's just me. 
05-25-09 | 12:43 PM
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
Hm. Wonder why this slipped by. Legal departments are supposed to spend all night and day researching names - for exactly this reason. And any names that pop up have to be changed, or that person has to sign a waiver. It's just part of the production process, I thought.
Second, I guess the housing business must really be in the dumps if someone has to lower themselves like that. I mean, really, I know CSI is popular for CBS. But how many people would actually ever relate the two? Those real estate agents must have some inflate egos to think anyone gives a shit about them. Our maybe it's just LA-folks douchbaggery. I hope they get nothing.
Second, I guess the housing business must really be in the dumps if someone has to lower themselves like that. I mean, really, I know CSI is popular for CBS. But how many people would actually ever relate the two? Those real estate agents must have some inflate egos to think anyone gives a shit about them. Our maybe it's just LA-folks douchbaggery. I hope they get nothing.
05-25-09 | 12:50 PM
#7
Moderator
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
This doesn't happen at all. Otherwise everybody on TV shows and movies would be named Fkddlfkrr Smoorkely.
05-25-09 | 01:03 PM
#8
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
I can see basing your characters on real people, but it seems like the ultimate in laziness to not even bother to change the names.
If you just wrote some asshole characters that were like people you knew but with different names, how many people would actually try and say it was really them?
If you just wrote some asshole characters that were like people you knew but with different names, how many people would actually try and say it was really them?
05-25-09 | 01:43 PM
#9
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
Hm. Wonder why this slipped by. Legal departments are supposed to spend all night and day researching names - for exactly this reason. And any names that pop up have to be changed, or that person has to sign a waiver. It's just part of the production process, I thought.
Second, I guess the housing business must really be in the dumps if someone has to lower themselves like that. I mean, really, I know CSI is popular for CBS. But how many people would actually ever relate the two? Those real estate agents must have some inflate egos to think anyone gives a shit about them. Our maybe it's just LA-folks douchbaggery. I hope they get nothing.
Second, I guess the housing business must really be in the dumps if someone has to lower themselves like that. I mean, really, I know CSI is popular for CBS. But how many people would actually ever relate the two? Those real estate agents must have some inflate egos to think anyone gives a shit about them. Our maybe it's just LA-folks douchbaggery. I hope they get nothing.
05-25-09 | 02:03 PM
#10
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
You sir have impugned the honor of the Smoorkely name. The charges against my Great Uncle Fkddlfkrr were eventually dismissed by the Welsh High Court. You'll be hearing from my attorney (as soon as he gets a phone).
05-25-09 | 06:41 PM
#12
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
It is unlikely that they have anyone that actually told them that they were not going to hire them because of this one episode.
Not to mention, the real estate market sucks right now, so any decline in business is likely due to the economy and housing market, not this single episode of a TV show.
05-25-09 | 09:27 PM
#13
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
Except that it is going to be very difficult for these plaintiffs to prove they have suffered damages. How can they prove that anyone decided not to use them as real estate agents because of one episode of CSI where their names were changed in the episode that aired?
It is unlikely that they have anyone that actually told them that they were not going to hire them because of this one episode.
Not to mention, the real estate market sucks right now, so any decline in business is likely due to the economy and housing market, not this single episode of a TV show.
It is unlikely that they have anyone that actually told them that they were not going to hire them because of this one episode.
Not to mention, the real estate market sucks right now, so any decline in business is likely due to the economy and housing market, not this single episode of a TV show.
05-26-09 | 03:39 AM
#14
DVD Talk Hero
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
I don't know about TV. But that's how it's done in movies. Going through the list of names, and looking for real persons is just a step in pre-production. Maybe TV budgets don't allow for such a thing. Or maybe that producer just asked someone to shut up and a-ok it.
05-26-09 | 11:00 AM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
The worst case scenario from this is that CBS will probably let Goldfinger go. Actually she isn't even a "official" staff member of the show and isn't under contract. She's labeled as a "Consulting Producer" which is only a part-timer who helps out with the show occasionally.
05-26-09 | 12:40 PM
#17
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
Over the years none of the "Morally Challenged Characters" names have stayed in my head longer than 24 hours, much less changed any business dealings of mine.
05-26-09 | 01:35 PM
#18
Suspended
05-26-09 | 01:56 PM
#19
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: When inspiration leads to defamation: CSI writer being sued!
I'd think they'd at least screen names for married couples and similar occupations. I mean, in this case the husband and wife's names and business were the same...
