Reality TV producers believe they are being overlooked in Bethenny Frankel’s fight for unionization and have demanded their plight be heard alongside the complaints of “exploited” stars.
Former Real Housewives of New York alum Frankel, 52, is leading the charge against NBC Universal and Bravo, alleging that on-set talent has been subjected to “grotesque and depraved” treatment and that they deserve residual wages.
Last month, she was among a string of unnamed television personalities who sent a letter bomb accusing the network of “covering up sexual assault, endorsing revenge porn, exploiting minors and refusing mental health treatment.”
Current and former stars also claimed they are “mentally, physically and financially victimized,” with NBC saying they are “committed to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace for cast and crew on our reality shows.”
Leading the way: Former Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel, 52, has spearheaded the movement, which she has dubbed the “reality reckoning”
A recent follow-up letter from the celebrities’ attorney Bryan Freedman claimed “draconian terms of NBC’s contracts” and that the “scale and scope of the misconduct is greater than previously believed.”
DailyMail.com has heard from Bravo reality TV producers past and present who stand in solidarity with Frankel’s mission, but feel they are being overshadowed and left out of the conversation in the fight for better rights.
“I think it’s the right time for some kind of change, but I think the message is being lost,” said a frustrated producer, who has worked on several Bravo shows, including Real Housewives of Dallas.
“We want better wages and health care, but when you release a 60-page document with all these allegations about sleep deprivation and alcohol feeding, it feels very different.”
A former Bravo producer, who has since left reality in favor of a different TV genre, agreed, telling DailyMail.com that they hope the production teams are being listened to.
“I hope Bethenny will hear the call when she’s here pleading,” they said. “I’m not saying I don’t want to take away the talent needs in any way, but I hope she can help the production side of it as well. I mean, we’ve all been screaming into the void for years.”
“She’s very concerned about talent,” a third producer added. “And talent is very spoiled and very fairly compensated on the Bethenny Frankel stage.”
While reality stars claim they’ve been exploited by reality networks, including claims they’ve been denied food, producers told DailyMail.com their behind-the-scenes horror stories — including the talent’s nasty treatment.
Damned allegations: NBC has been accused by the stars of the reality show of a series of disturbing cover-ups
Bravo alum: Network executives have been accused of victimizing reality stars ‘countless times’. Pictured (LR) the cast of the NBC hit show Real Housewives of New York City Ramona Singer, Jill Zarin, Lu-Ann DeLesseps, Bethenny Frankel, Alex McCord
“I think cast members, especially people like Bethenny, who aren’t the nicest of people, sometimes forget that we’re people too,” said one producer.
“When we come to do a show, we leave our lives behind. I’ve been called a lot of derogatory things for not doing or not doing something.”
“There’s a sense that you’re entitled to it,” another who worked on The OC’s Real Housewives told me, revealing that reality stars have spat out lines like “I don’t have to do this, if I don’t want to!” and “without me you don’t have a show!”
Another shed light on the “toxic culture,” saying they eventually left the reality television world because of the unsustainable work-life balance.
“I almost had a meltdown because I was told I could leave at twelve if I came early, and then twelve came. I got ready to go and was told to stay,” they said.
“And for me, as a new mom, who had left my house before my baby even woke up… I was excited to get home before he went to bed so I could see him for maybe 30 minutes.”
“(Network bosses) don’t care,” they added. ‘They don’t care**. Unfortunately it is (a toxic culture). I was early in my career working 15 to 20 hours a day. It’s also just not sustainable.’
Speaking Out: Bravo producers told DailyMail.com that they feel left out of the conversation
Overlooked: They claimed reality stars are ‘coddled’ while also pointing out they’ve been treated unfairly
However, producers agree with Frankel when it comes to the unionization of the reality sphere and believe that networks have been capitalizing on talent and crew for decades.
“I absolutely agree with Bethenny,” said one. ‘I think it will take a long time. At the moment we are working in an unprotected segment of the industry. There are no remains, there is nothing to be honest. They’re like lab rats in a social experiment.
‘It’s all appearances. I understand that capitalism is at its best, but it’s pure profit. When you end up bringing a reality show to a network, they want to own your show. They own people’s intellectual property and take over people’s creative ideas, because they don’t create anything at all.
And it’s not just Bravo shows. Thank God Bethenny lit the match. This is happening nationwide. This is happening across the board.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, another told DailyMail.com, “You have to strike while the iron is hot. Right now everyone is clamoring for content and everyone is being listened to. People are being listened to. And when it comes to changes, while there is a mechanism for change, you have to cast your vote.’
In its current form, SAG-AFTRA, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, has been on strike since July 14 after failing to reach an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The union represents about 160,000 actors in the US and has expressed concern about pay and the use of artificial intelligence.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has also been on strike since May 2.
Hollywood on strike: SAG-AFTRA has been on strike since July 14 after failing to reach an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)
Earlier this month, SAG-AFRA announced that they are supporting television personalities in organizing unions and fighting production companies.
In a statement, they said: ‘SAG-AFTRA has entered into discussions with Bryan Freedman at Freedman + Taitelman, an LLP law firm brought in by Bethenny Frankel on the topic of reality artist treatment.
‘SAG-AFTRA is the Union representing reality artists. Depending on the structure of the production and the artists involved, we may cover these artists under our Network Code Agreement.
“We stand ready to join Bethenny Frankel, Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos, along with reality performers and our members, in the fight and are tired of studios and production companies trying to bypass the Union to get the talent. that they depend on to advance their careers. Product.’
SAG added that they encourage reality artists and members to get in touch “so that we can work together to protect the reality artists who end the exploitative practices that have developed in this area and to create a new path to cover the Union.’