Reality TV star and executive producer Lisa Vanderpump recently expressed her thoughts on the unionization of reality TV during an episode of The Envelope podcast. Vanderpump, known for her role on Vanderpump Rules, mentioned that she is content with her earnings over the years and is unsure about how a union can represent individuals who are often plucked out of obscurity.
Vanderpump stated that advocating for a reality star union could potentially change the business of reality TV. One of the advantages of reality shows, according to Vanderpump, is that they are often produced at a lower cost compared to scripted shows. She questioned how a union could be formed for individuals who are typically unknown before appearing on these shows.
The call for unionization was initially sparked by Bethenny Frankel, who urged onscreen reality talent to join the effort during a work stoppage alongside striking SAG-AFTRA members. Frankel voiced her concerns about the exploitative nature of the industry, mentioning that reality TV has generated millions of dollars but the stars are not adequately compensated for their work. She specifically called for stars from shows like The Hills, Vanderpump Rules, Jersey Shore, The Bachelor, and The Bachelorette to earn residuals.
Vanderpump also responded to the criticism raised by a cast member of The Real Housewives of New York, who revealed that she was only paid $7,250 for her first season of reality TV. Vanderpump said that she has always been happy with her earnings and considers the first season of a reality show to be like an audition, with subsequent success depending on how individuals make the most of it.
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During the podcast, Alex Baskin, executive producer of Vanderpump Rules, expressed his view that unionization is worth considering due to the repetitive nature of running these shows. However, he agreed with Vanderpump that the immediate cessation of participation in reality TV shows may not be the solution, given the lower production costs that these shows offer.
SAG-AFTRA, the performers’ union, confirmed that they have been in contact with Frankel’s legal team, who sent a litigation hold letter to NBCUniversal citing mistreatment of reality stars and crew. The union mentioned that, depending on the production and talent involved, reality stars can be covered under their Network Code Agreement. SAG-AFTRA expressed their willingness to support Frankel and other reality performers, urging them to reach out to their Entertainment Contracts Department to work together in protecting the interests of reality stars and ending exploitative practices.
In conclusion, the debate surrounding unionization in reality TV continues to gain momentum. While individuals like Lisa Vanderpump are happy with their earnings, there is a growing call for fair compensation and better treatment for reality stars. The potential unionization of reality TV could significantly impact the industry, altering production costs and casting processes. The support from SAG-AFTRA is an indication that change may be on the horizon, as efforts are made to protect the rights and interests of reality performers.
