Producer Threats Halt '20/20' Investigation Into 'Biggest Loser'?

The Wrap today reports that a 20/20 investigation into NBC reality hit The Biggest Loser was quashed after producers made it clear to past contestants that unapproved cooperation with the newsmagazine could subject them to legal action.

The news follows a New York Times article that investigated whether unhealthy weight-loss techniques are used on the show, although TW says 20/20 made the decision to put its report on hold in mid-November, which was at least a week before the NYT published its story.

Producers at 20/20 had tentatively lined up at least three contestants they believed were willing to discuss their experience on camera, a person familiar with the investigation told TW.

Loser producers are said to have contacted past contestants to remind them of the confidentiality clauses in their contract and the requirement that they go through proper publicity channels before talking to reporters.

The Nov. 25 NYT story said the paper had obtained a copy of an email sent to contestants which indicated they could be fined from $100,000 to $1 million if they broke the rules of their contracts.

An ABC spokeswoman confirmed to TW that the newsmagazine had been looking into Loser and that the show currently has no plans to air an investigation. However, she declined to discuss details of the investigation or the reasons why no report on Loser is scheduled.

TW contends that nondisclosure agreements are standard for most reality series and even some scripted shows and notes "it's understandable producers would want to control interviews with talent since they're trying to protect a multimillion-dollar brand...In the case of reality shows, there's also the issue of disgruntled ex-contestants: More than a few of their complaints have turned out to be without merit, possibly attempts by publicity hungry ex-players looking to extend their moment in the spotlight."

Priyanka Chopra bags best actress at Apsara Awards

Mumbai, Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra bagged the best actress award for Madhur Bhandarkar’s “Fashion” at the Apsara Film and Television Producers Guild Awards here Friday evening.

Priyanka’s father Ashok Chopra received the award on her behalf.

“Oh, I am so happy for her. She has done it again. And getting an award from the patriarch and creators of the film industry is a great thing,” Ashok Chopra told IANS.

Hrithik Roshan was presented the best actor award for Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Jodhaa Akbar”.

The fourth edition of the Apsara Film and Television Producers Guild Awards, which honour excellence in cinema and television was held at a five-star hotel here.

Aamir Khan won two awards – best film and best director – for his directorial debut “Taare Zameen Par”.

Actor Imran Khan, Anil Kapoor, Kangna Ranaut, director Yash Chopra, screenwriter Amole Gupte and Prasoon Joshi attended the event. Oscar-award wining actor Sir Ben Kingsley was also present.

The fourth edition was postponed last year as a mark of respect to the victims of the 26/11 tragedy. The awards for 2009 will be distributed by the Producers’ Guild of India Dec 20.

The Guild jury, including Ravi Chopra, Ketan Desai, and Vashu Bhagnani, had chosen the winners.

Lawsuit filed against “Paa” in Patna court


Patna, A lawsuit has been filed in a court here charging Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan with violating the disabilities act through his latest film “Paa” in which he plays a 13-year-old boy suffering from progeria, which accelerates the ageing process.

Big B has been accused of poking fun at people with disabilities.

The case has been filed by Patna High Court lawyer Shruti Singh in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate under The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. It has also been filed against “Paa” director R. Balkrishna.

“I filed a case in the court demanding a probe into whether ‘Paa’ violated the act or not,” Singh said Saturday.

“My stand is simple: If it violated the disability act, the authorities should act against the producer and actors of the film for making a joke of disabled people,” she added.

She said the court will hear the case next week.

According to Singh, the act is guided by the philosophy of empowering people with disabilities and their associates. The act endeavors to introduce an instrument for promoting equality and participation of people with disabilities on the one hand, and eliminating discrimination of all kinds on the other.

Aamir Khan didn’t have to apologise – Shahrukh Khan


New Delhi, (BollywoodWorld.com) It seems that Shah Rukh Khan has buried the hatchet with Aamir Khan ever since the “Ghajini” star apologised to his children for making fun of him. Shah Rukh said he has no hard feelings for his colleague.

“We often visit each other’s home and we have love and respect for each other. I don’t think there was any need for him to apologise because it is not really a big thing for me. Both of us don’t take these things seriously but it is the media that exaggerates the whole situation,” Shah Rukh said via tele-conference here Thursday from Mumbai.

Aamir tendered an apology to Shah Rukh’s kids for hurting their sentiments before taking a pot shot at the latter when he mentioned his wife Kiran in an answer to a reporter as “Kkk… Kiran” – a dialogue made famous by Shah Rukh in his 1993 hit “Darr”.

“I’ve offered my heartfelt apologies to Shah Rukh’s kids, not to Shah Rukh but to his kids,” Aamir had recently said.

The two superstars have often taken digs at each other.

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