Re: Ashley and J.P - General Media Discussion - Thread #3

[ironcat]

I thought there was something about a TV wedding in the contract they sign before going on this show?

LM, yes, I remember reading if the lead and F1 marry within 1 year of the AFRC, ABC has the option to televise the wedding. Not sure if that's still the case. Now, maybe with Ali's injury, they will adjust/extend that timeline, or maybe there is no timeline anymore.

I think this is correct, but want to further clarify that the couple can of course choose not to have their wedding televised if they don't want to, even if ABC wants to. And also, ABC has the exclusive rights, meaning they can't "sell" the wedding (video or photos) to any other media outlet who might offer them a better deal, within the stated timeframe.

Regarding having a Monday wedding, as somebody mentioned, just because it would be broadcast on a Monday night, since it won't be live, but will need to happen and be filmed (and then edited) a few weeks prior to airing, the wedding can be scheduled for any day of the week they choose.

[Thomigirl]

I'm not buying what Life & Style is selling.

[atem]

I'm not buying what Life & Style is selling.

Me either. I think people should tweet Ashley and JP to clear it up like with the FALSE story that she was dropping her dental career to be in fashion.

[chaslom4]

There have been a few people tweeting them and asking if it's true. Nothing from JP or Ashley yet.

[Archer23]

I thought there was something about a TV wedding in the contract they sign before going on this show?

LM, yes, I remember reading if the lead and F1 marry within 1 year of the AFRC, ABC has the option to televise the wedding. Not sure if that's still the case. Now, maybe with Ali's injury, they will adjust/extend that timeline, or maybe there is no timeline anymore.

I've always heard that it's two years, which seems to be backed up by the contract language:

I. Wedding Ceremony: I further agree that if I and the Bachelor (or, if I am the Bachelor, I and any of the Bachelorettes) get married and have a marriage ceremony of any kind during the two year period following the date of the initial broadcast of the Series episode in which the Bachelor reveals his decision regarding the final Bachelorette, Producer shall have an exclusive and irrevocable right to photograph (moving and/or still), film and/or videotape any such wedding ceremony (the “Wedding Ceremony”) (hereinafter the “Wedding Exclusivity Period”). I hereby grant to Producer all rights in the Wedding Ceremony as if the same had been included as a regular Series episode and all other applicable paragraphs of this Agreement shall apply thereto. In the event Producer elects to exercise such rights, Producer shall pay the married couple the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) per hour of televised programming, subject to such Wedding Ceremony being the majority of content of such televised programming. In the event the Wedding Ceremony is not the majority of content of such programming, Producer shall have the rights described above without any additional compensation paid me (other than that, if any, set forth in this Agreement with respect to my participation in the regular Series episodes.) In the event that any such Wedding Ceremony takes place after the expiration of the Wedding Exclusivity Period, then Producer shall have the exclusive first right and last refusal to negotiate with regard to the acquisition of all rights to and in the taping, filming and/or photographing of the Wedding Ceremony on terms and conditions no less favorable to Producer than the above terms and conditions. If we cannot come to mutually acceptable terms within a reasonable amount of time, then I am free to negotiate with others for the acquisition of said rights provided, however, that Producer has the last right of refusal to acquire said rights by matching the financial terms of any third party offers.

I'm not buying what Life & Style is selling.

Me either. I think people should tweet Ashley and JP to clear it up like with the FALSE story that she was dropping her dental career to be in fashion.

Heh. Ashley is still refuting that rumor, as recently as yesterday evening.

[tigertiz]

Wow - so it's two years. And the Producer has the absolute right to film it, period. It's not up to the couple to decide I guess. They'd get about $ 20,000 if it were a two hour tv event. If I were them, I'd set a date that was 2 years out and only then try to negotiate a better deal. The network ought to pay for the whole wedding, honeymoon and more. It's a pittance of the ad revenue for the "show".

[Guest]

Thanks, Archer. I thought 1 yr, but it looks like the contract says 2 yrs.
Well, that's also good for Ali and Roberto.

Well, JP and Ashley already have a trip to Vomo, paid by ABC that they could use for their honeymoon, if they wish.

The gown is not included in the $10,000 per hr. of television, and it's a designer gown. The Bride's gown is a big part of the expense. Plus I think alot of perks are thrown in there for incentives to do it, even if not specified in the contract. (flowers, etc.) Wasn't Molly's gown over $30,000 or something like that? jmo "sum paid to the couple" is just to televise it and not the total wedding costs, is how I interpret that contract. jmo

[ironcat]

Wow, I have to admit I'm shocked that it does sound like the couple has absolutely no say in having a private wedding within the first 2 years, according to that contract. I always thought they had a choice to not televise it. Maybe someone on the board who is a lawyer and can better understand the "legalese", can confirm that there is no loophole there.

If this is the case, I wonder why the couples are even asked whether they will televise their wedding (and criticized by some fans for considering it!) if the decision isn't even up to them but is totally at the discretion of ABC (unless they wait 2 years).

[atem]

Do you guys think the show makes the couple at least give tweets of their lives whether they want to or not? Like, 'you must give some tweet supporting the show' ha!

[Guest]

I was off, Molly's gown was $45,000 and she had Neil Lane jewels too. ABC spent alot more than $10,000 per hr. televised, with all the extras provided. It's well worth it to go the ABC televised route.

http://www.celebritybrideguide.com/molly-malaney-and-jason-mesnick-wedding/

http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2010/02/jason-mesnick-and-molly-malaney-married/

[Archer23]

Wow, I have to admit I'm shocked that it does sound like the couple has absolutely no say in having a private wedding within the first 2 years, according to that contract. I always thought they had a choice to not televise it. Maybe someone on the board who is a lawyer and can better understand the "legalese", can confirm that there is no loophole there.

If this is the case, I wonder why the couples are even asked whether they will televise their wedding (and criticized by some fans for considering it!) if the decision isn't even up to them but is totally at the discretion of ABC (unless they wait 2 years).

I'm a lawyer. I've read the provision several times, because I expected it to address what happens if the couple decides they don't want the wedding televised. But since it doesn't address such a situation and, in fact, talks about an "irrevocable right" to film or photograph the wedding, I think that means it gets televised if ABC wants, and they essentially get to treat it like a regular episode of the show, i.e. with ITMs, voiceovers, storylines, etc. I guess ABC figures that if you were willing to go on the show, you're willing to have your wedding televised, but I think the whole thing is a little ironic. Conceivably, the purpose of the show is to end up with a couple who wants to marry each other (stop laughing!). Yet, if a couple wants to get married privately, without all the hoopla, they have to wait it out for 2 years.

And to answer your question, Atem, the contract does say that for a year after the season ends, the participants are required to participate in publicity and promotional activities as requested by the producers, but I doubt that extends to social media. (The producers can ask, but I doubt the contestants could legally be required to tweet, post to facebook, etc.). The contract is draconian, but I can't imagine any judge in America would uphold a contract provision like that one.

Anyway, in case anyone is interested, here's a link to the 2006 version of the contract: www.tinomartinez24.com/PARTICIPANT_AGREEMENT-1.pdf. I doubt it's been significantly revised since then, though it may have been. It's a pdf, instead of a webpage, so it will probably download automatically, and I hope it works. The most interesting part of the contract to me is section I.B., titled "Knowledge of Series Nature and Content and Agreement to Comply with All Rules, Directions, and Instructions," which includes this language, which is bolded:

I understand that the Series is an unscripted and/or reality series that may involve the element of surprise. I have been informed and understand that I should be prepared for anything, at any time during the production of the Series and that the Series may involve “twists” and that that Producer may make misrepresentations intentionally or unintentionally concerning the Series and/or any element or aspect of the Series. Said misrepresentations may be made by, without limitation, Producer, Host, other Series Participants, Producer’s affiliates and/or other parties connected to the show. Being so informed, I voluntarily agree to participate in the Series.

[anders]

Wowsers - that quite a contract they sign. The benefits of a televised wedding are huge, but Ash and JP seem less likely to want it televised. I never got the feeling they were after the attention - but if they do it for the funds then I understand.

I don't imagine they're exactly in a rush to get married anyway. She went from Brad's season to her own season, to being engaged, to finishing up her schooling all within a year - I can imagine they're just happy to be together.

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