What a ‘Love Is Blind’ labor board filing means for reality TV union efforts

What a 'Love Is Blind' labor board filing means for reality TV union efforts

As someone who has spent countless hours binge-watching reality TV shows, I must say that the situation surrounding “Love Is Blind” is rather unsettling. It’s not every day that you hear about lawsuits and allegations of inhumane working conditions on a show you once enjoyed watching for entertainment.

In 2020, the Netflix series ‘Love Is Blind’ gained rapid popularity by exploring if genuine love could develop between individuals who hadn’t met face-to-face. However, it has also emerged as an intriguing example of the burgeoning push for labor rights in reality TV production.

On Wednesday, the National Labor Relations Board filed a charge against the reality TV show, alleging that its participants have been incorrectly categorized as independent contractors instead of employees entitled to specific worker protections. If recognized as employees, the labor board asserted, the show’s producers broke several labor laws, such as using illegal contract terms concerning confidentiality and non-compete clauses.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m excited to delve into the latest developments regarding the unionization efforts of unscripted talent, specifically focusing on the ongoing labor complaint involving the popular reality show “Love Is Blind.” For those unfamiliar with this intriguing turn of events, here’s a breakdown of key questions and answers:

What a 'Love Is Blind' labor board filing means for reality TV union efforts

Television

For Subscribers

Reality TV stars say they’re subject to grueling conditions and low pay. A union could change that

From a devoted cinephile’s perspective, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the spotlight on reality television is intensifying, and I couldn’t agree more with the stars from Bravo’s ‘Real Housewives’, ‘Love Is Blind’, and ‘The Challenge’. It’s high time for this industry to adapt and evolve.

Oct. 27, 2023

What is ‘Love Is Blind’?

The Netflix dating show produced by Kinetic Content debuted right before Valentine’s Day in 2020, captivating viewers with its unique concept of singles seeking love through conversations with a partition. In essence, the series features 15 single men and 15 single women who communicate without seeing each other, hidden behind a glimmering blue barrier known as a “pod”.

Following numerous conversations, individuals with strong bonds ultimately arrange their first in-person encounters before embarking on a trip to Mexico for a holiday. Subsequently, these couples re-enter normal life, cohabit and introduce one another to family members and friends. If they manage to stay fond of each other after these experiences, the partners exchange marriage vows. Among those who have chosen to marry in the show’s domestic adaptation, many are still married, and some have started families. It is not unusual for some participants to use their newfound fame or attention to pursue additional reality TV roles or independent projects.

What does the complaint say?

In the lawsuit filed against “Love Is Blind,” Renee Poche and Nick Thompson, who were once contestants on the show, allege that the producers violated several labor laws. They claim that the producers labeled cast members as non-employee participants instead of employees. This categorization, as stated in the lawsuit, restricts contestants from participating in collective bargaining and denies them employee protections under the National Labor Relations Act, such as protection against unfair labor practices.

Don’t reality TV contestants get paid?

Indeed, cast members on reality TV shows often get paid for their screen time, but unlike actors in scripted television, there aren’t many universal guidelines regarding pay due to a lack of industry-wide union representation. This results in a wide range of compensation across different formats. Notably, frequent faces on series like “The Real Housewives” can secure six-figure salaries per season and haggle for higher wages based on their prominence within the reality TV scene. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the amount earned varies depending on the specific type of show. For instance, contestants in competition shows tend to receive larger payouts as they progress further, while other reality stars might only get small weekly or daily allowances during filming.

As stated in the NLRB complaint’s referenced participation agreements, the contestants on “Love Is Blind” were given a weekly stipend of $1,000 for up to eight weeks, amounting to a maximum payment of $8,000. Additionally, they granted producers the rights to film them around-the-clock, that is, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Television

For Subscribers

Franchises took over reality TV. Now they threaten its success

Reality TV has increasingly leaned on established formats or franchises, mirroring a trend seen in productions like the Marvel Cinematic Universe or scripted series, as the industry tends to favor safer, tried-and-true options over taking risks.

Oct. 16, 2024

Hasn’t ‘Love Is Blind’ been sued a bunch already?

Over the past four years, the show has faced an increasing number of legal disputes and claims of misconduct from ex-participants. One class-action lawsuit brought by Season 2 participant Jeremy Hartwell alleged that the production team breached labor laws in numerous ways, such as not providing required rest periods and underpaying wages. In his lawsuit, Hartwell asserted that during filming of the ‘pods’ segment, producers supplied alcohol excessively while withholding food and water, all while offering rates lower than the minimum wage in Los Angeles County. Ultimately, a settlement worth $1.4 million was agreed upon and distributed among 144 former cast and crew members, accounting for attorney fees.

A recent Insider report from April 2023 highlighted additional claims of mistreatment. In this report, several participants from the Netflix series openly discussed their experiences within the show, asserting that they faced “psychological battles.

In response to accusations made in both a lawsuit and an Insider report, Kinetic Content has refuted all claims. In an interview with Variety, Chris Coelen, CEO of Kinetic and executive producer of “Love Is Blind,” defended the production’s work environment. He explained that cast members had access to psychological support throughout filming, as two psychologists were stationed in the control room during filming in the pods. Additionally, he stated that after the pod sessions, a hotline was available for a specialist who could be reached 24/7. Coelen also addressed the report’s assertion that cast members would face a $50,000 fine if they left the show prematurely. He clarified that this clause was never implemented and had been removed from contracts in more recent seasons.

In another legal action, Tran Dang, who competed on Season 5 of the series, took Kinetic Content and Delirium TV to court for accusations of sexual assault, wrongful confinement, and negligence. This year, Poche, a participant from Season 5, has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, claiming she was fined $4 million for violating her contract by discussing her experience on the show in public (her filing states she received $8,000 for her role on the program).

Television

The production company behind ‘Love Is Blind’, Kinetic Content, is speaking out against claims that they create an unfair work environment on the set of the Netflix series.

April 19, 2023

What has Netflix or the production companies that make ‘Love Is Blind’ said about the complaint?

As of now, there’s been no official response regarding the matter from Netflix or the other production companies involved – Kinetic Content and Delirium TV. Netflix declined to comment on Thursday.

So what happens next, legally speaking?

In case no agreement is reached prior, the case involving potential violation of the National Labor Relations Act by “Love Is Blind” producers will be heard by an administrative law judge at the NLRB. This hearing is set for April 22, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If the judge finds that the producers have breached the law, they may be ordered to implement remedies to rectify the situation caused by unfair labor practices. These remedies could include making back payments to employees.

Following this ruling, it may be contested before the country’s top administrative board. Additionally, further challenges in a federal court, including the Supreme Court, might also be considered.

What happens if ‘Love Is Blind’ contestants are classified as employees?

If “Love Is Blind” contestants are considered workers rather than participants, they will have certain protections under the National Labor Relations Act. This includes the ability to collectively act for better wages and working conditions, participate in activities like strikes or demonstrations, and discuss their pay with one another – privileges that aren’t guaranteed as mere participants.

Making this particular decision regarding “Love Is Blind” could establish a pattern for other show producers, and if successful, it might inspire and strengthen efforts to organize reality TV performers into a union.

2024-12-13 04:01

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Marks a Return to the Series’ 8-Bit Side-Scroller Roots in 2025