For those who like to file lawsuits, the chance to file one against a TV network regarding a television series must be a huge draw. Larry Klayman, a man who has filed legal salvos against the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, and has also filed a class-action lawsuit against the Ground Zero mosque, may now pursue a lawsuit against the NBC series Outlaw.
Jimmy Smits stars in the series as a Supreme Court Justice who takes a stand against the establishment, and in an unprecedented move, quits the highest court in order to hopefully bring about some changes. It didn’t connect with many viewers, was cancelled after only a handful of episodes, and the remaining installments are now airing on Saturday nights. The series co-stars David Ramsey, Ellen Woglom, Carly Pope, and Jesse Bradford.
Klayman contends that three years ago, he got together with a group that included producer Cary Brokaw, former L.A. Law writer John Romano, and Fox Television Studios executive Dave Madden. They met with executives at NBC and pitched a series that was about someone very much like Klayman, a public-interest lawyer on a crusade. According to him, NBC was interested because their West Wing series already had a character based on him, Harry Klaypool. He even claims that “Outlaw” was amongst his suggested titles for the series.
Klayman claims that making the main character a Supreme Court judge was NBC adding its own twist to his idea. Other than that, he feels it was identical to the series he pitched. He doesn’t remember the names of the executives he met with at NBC, but says he can provide documents to prove his story.
NBC hasn’t commented about the claim yet, and a Fox Television Studios business and legal affairs executive, Shelly Reid, answered the call placed to Madden’s office. Reid reportedly declined to comment, but did state Fox wasn’t a party to this at all. Romano admits he worked with Klayman, but doesn’t recall going to NBC, but understands why they would have after West Wing. He admitted he was “also not struck by any similarities between Outlaw and the show Larry brought to us.”
Klayman hasn’t contacted NBC about this, but has an entertainment lawyer on retainer, wanting to negotiate it first. Klayman says that, if negotiating with the network doesn’t work out, he plans to bring a lawsuit against NBC.
It remains to be seen how much one could get over one of the most unsuccessful new series of this season. Maybe NBC could sue him for part of their losses?
What do you think? Does it sound like Klayman has a case?
Image courtesy NBC.
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61 Comments on "Outlaw: NBC May Be Sued Over Cancelled TV Show"
Bring back that awesome show. I loved it, they really did a good job and the characters were getting developed slowly and steadily. The stories were fantastic. NBC dropped the ball again. Any chance another network might pick it up?
I so want this show back on and Saturday Nights were great because there was never anything else worth watching, Please bring back Jimmy and the show, I am so upset about all of this and am patiently waiting, pleaseeeeee
I thought it was an excellent show i loved it and i hope they put it back on i couldn’t wait to get off work on Friday to sit in front of the TV watch this show.
it also gives people a chance to see that all justices are not alike and that the justice system can work if the right people believe
Too bad, this was a great show. NBC made a stupid move
NO WONDER NBC IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE NETWORK RATINGS. DOESN’T
KNOW A GOOD SHOW WHEN THEY SEE ONE. OUTLAW IS ONE OF THE BEST
SHOWS ON TV THIS SEASON. ACTING WAS TOP DRAWER, PLOTS WERE INTERESTING AND THE WHOLE ENSEMBLE WAS EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING.
NOT REAL ENOUGH FOR YOU? WHEN I WANT REALITY I WATCH MY LOCAL NEWS
AND WORLD NEWS, AND BY THE WAY NEITHER OF THEM ARE ON NBC!
I cannot believed they cancelled this show. Even now I was still waiting for the next episode. I dont understand why it was cancelled
Show cancelled. It was a great show! It was one of my favorites for the season
The only problem with the program “may have been” the
Network”s time-slot decision.This seems to be a rather disturbing
trend in the ‘free airways’ TV stations ,of recent yrs.next time,
before you cancel such a good show try doing a little actual
research next time .Some programming is worth waiting to take hold
or even resurrecting …..(hint-hint)
My favorite time slot on television used to be on Thursday nights from 10-11pm Pacific with LA LAW,
then ER, then SOUTHLAND. Why does NBC cancel great shows such as OUTLAW? Some of us do
know quality when we see it. I agree with the comments posted. Very disappointing.
I loved the show… I have no idea how NBC justifies cancellation, but EVERYBODY I know watched, recorded, and loved the show too.
This is one of the shows that need to come back… we can’t keep-on with the crap-programs like Talent shows and singng shows… smh
why………………………..
Complaining to the network is an exercise in futility. It’s all about dollars and cents. Use your sense and complain to the sponsors by boycotting their products. In this economy, they don’t want you quit buying! Like everyone else, the networks have to answer to someone.
Loved the show! PROBABLY JUST NOT “REPUBLICAN” ENOUGHT! Really sad when a very wonderful show comes along, you are awaiting the next episode and POOF. it’s gone.
I thought Outlaw was one of the best TV series I have seen in years. I agree with the comment above that “NBC just proved again that you can’t fix stupid”. It was one of the few shows that I watched on network TV. Jimmy Smits and the entire cast was excellent, the episodes were interesting and timely, nobody was falling down drunk or drugged, there was no foul language and immoral behavior – Oh wait – that’s why it was cancelled. IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!