A Harmless Pursuit?

June 23, 2009

"The Wrap" reminds us that 11 people have died by their own hand thanks to their participation on reality shows. Don't believe me?

What defenses do the children employed on these shows have to ward off the known consequences of this sort of work when none of them had a choice or were capable of informed consent?

Who is close-at-hand to provide guidance and support to these children? Their parents, who sold them for a song?

What provisions have the networks and production companies made for dealing with the predictable consequences of fame visited on kids?

Teen suicide rates are already stratospheric. If experts are not put in place now…and I'm not talking about local therapists, or company psychologists who have a way of shifting the blame away from the 'suits' who sign their paychecks…bad things are almost certain to happen.

Permit me to reissue my warning to those who employ minors on reality shows. On the day these kids come of age and are thus in possession of their full rights, including the Right to Disaffirm any and all 'contracts' entered into on their behalf, there is going to be Hell to Pay.

A Minor Consideration is not going to go away, and our lawyers kick ass. The choice is simple: Either set the example or be the example.

Paul Petersen for AMC