Wage and Hour Settlements for Reality Television Employees

Did you work for Next Entertainment, Inc. on any of these reality television shows?

• The Bachelor
• The Bachelorette
• Are You Hot?
• Trista and Ryan's Wedding
• The Two-Timer
• The Will
• The Starlet
• The Real Gilligan's Island

Did you work for Rocket Science Laboratories, LLC on any of these reality television shows?

• Trading Spouses
• Joe Millionaire
• The Next Joe Millionaire
• My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé
• My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss
• Renovate My Family
• Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay
• Married by America

If the answer to either of the above questions is "yes," you may have rights affected by the class action lawsuits, Sharp v. Next Entertainment, Inc. or Shriver v. Rocket Science Laboratories, LLC.

These two lawsuits arise from allegations that television production companies and networks violated California wage and hour laws on these television shows.  Specifically, the lawsuits alleged that the companies failed to pay overtime wages to employees working on these shows, or to provide employees with meal and rest period breaks.  The lawsuits also alleged that the companies failed to issue accurate wage statements, and to keep complete and accurate payroll records. 

These lawsuits were filed for a class of story development employees who worked on one or more of the above-listed reality television shows.  In the lawsuit against Rocket Science Laboratories, LLC, the class also includes editors and employees who performed editing services on the shows. 

These cases have been settled by the parties.  The defendant companies have agreed to pay an amount to each eligible member of the class who submits a timely claim form.  If you believe that you are an employee who may be entitled to recover under this settlement agreement, please review the documents attached below, and submit a Claim Form no later than April 14, 2009. 

If you worked for Next Entertainment, Inc., please submit your Claim Form to this address:

Claims Administrator (CA5233)
P.O. Box 2876
Portland, OR 97208-2876

If you worked for Rocket Science Laboratories, LLC, please submit your Claim Form to this address:

Claims Administrator (CA5209)
P.O. Box 2730
Portland, OR 97228-2730

If you would like to learn more about these lawsuits and the settlement agreements, to open and print out a Claim Form, or to determine whether you are a member of the plaintiff class and entitled to benefits under the settlement, please review the following documents:

• Sharp v. Next Entertainment, Inc., 163 Cal. App. 4th 410 (2008) (Court of Appeal Decision)

For the Sharp v. Next Entertainment case:

• Complaint
• Settlement Agreement
• Class Notice
• Claim Form

For the Shriver v. Rocket Science Laboratories case:

• Complaint
• Settlement Agreement
• Class Notice
• Claim Form

If you have any questions, you may contact Class Counsel.

Class Counsel
Jean Shin, Esq.
Rothner, Segall & Greenstone
510 S. Marengo Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101

e-mail:jshin@rsglabor.com
telephone: (626) 796-7555
facsimile:  (626) 577-0124