Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comThe Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comPerri “Pebbles” Reid, the founder and former manager of all-girl R&B group TLC, filed a $40 million defamation lawsuit against Viacom on grounds that the recent VH1 film “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” constituted defamation. However, Viacom argued that then film falls under the docudrama category and, as a result, does not constitute defamation.
The back-and-forth begs the question, where is the line drawn between docudrama and defamation?
Viacom issued a memo which sought to explain that the docudrama genre of film does not constitute defamation, and that, due to the fact that “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” falls within that category, it is not defamatory, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The company also presented numerous pieces of evidence – including letters, news articles, raw film and publishing contracts – which prove that the movie does not cast Reid in a false light.
Reid stated that she is upset over numerous aspects of her character in the film, such as scenes when the manager forces members of TLC to sign a contract and pays group members only $25 per week. She says that these scenes are false, and as a result defamatory.
However, the Viacom memo named films such as “Selma,” “The Social Network,” “Ray,” “Walk the Line,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It?,” as similar films within the docudrama genre. The document states that “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” is similar to the aforementioned movies in its style and depiction of characters. It goes on to note that since the narrative is told from the perspective of the surviving members of TLC, the scenes depicted are not so much fact as personal accounts of various situations.
The memo goes on to state that just because the film does not depict the members of TLC reading the contract given to them by Reid, that does not mean they didn’t actually do so. Additionally, it goes on to state that the $25 weekly salary was clearly temporary as shown in the film.
Viacom goes on to argue that the court must examine an allegedly defamatory statement in the context in which it was published. In this case, the context is a docudrama, and as a result, the scenes which Reid alleges to be defamatory must be looked at within the context of that drama, as opposed to a documentary or newspaper article, both of which purport to espouse fact.
Docudrama films heighten tension and work to create dramatic scenery out of not always dramatic real-life events. As a result, there is nearly always bound to be at least one individual upset over how he or she is depicted in one of these movies.
If your docudrama is facing a lawsuit, or you are displeased with the way you were portrayed in a film, it is important to look at the instances of alleged defamation within the context of the genre, as well as pore over source material used for the movie.
If you are having trouble determining whether a depiction in a movie may be considered defamation, speak with an entertainment law attorney to learn more.
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Secured transactions form the backbone of a wide range of business dealings, including business loans, mortgages, and inventory financing. Because the stakes are often high and relatively minor oversights can have drastic consequences, lenders and borrowers should thoroughly understand how to form an enforceable security agreement that protects their legal rights. What Is a Secured […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Cashing a check marked “paid in full” can be a risky endeavor, particularly if you don’t fully understanding the legal implications. If you are owed more than the amount of the check you accept and deposit, you may waive your right to collect the full disputed amount. That is why you should consider either rejecting […]
Author: Dan Brecher
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) significantly impacts federal taxes, credits, and deductions. A key change relating to Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) allows greater tax-free gains for investments in startups and other qualifying small businesses. Company founders and other investors should understand how the enhanced tax strategy works or risk missing […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Corporate consolidation involves two or more businesses merging to become a single larger entity. The result is often a stronger and more competitive company that can better navigate today’s competitive marketplace. What Is Corporate Consolidation? Corporate consolidation closely resembles a basic merger transaction. The primary difference is that a consolidation creates an entirely new business […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Business law plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of running a successful enterprise, from negotiating a commercial lease to drafting employee policies to fulfilling corporate disclosure obligations. Understanding what is business law and your legal obligations can help your business run smoothly and build productive relationships with clients, business partners, regulators, and others. […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Corporate transactions can have significant implications for a corporation and its stakeholders. For deals to be successful, companies must act strategically to maximize value and minimize risk. It is also important to fully understand the legal and financial ramifications of corporate transactions, both in the near and long term. Understanding Corporate Transactions The term “corporate […]
Author: Dan Brecher
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!