NBC gives Heroes fans at Dragon*Con the digitus impudicus

[thatcrazycajun]

This just in from the dragoncon LJ community: A rep from NBC Universal has contacted the folks running next week's annual fannish invasion of downtown Atlanta and demanded that any actors from their series Heroes be removed from any and all discussion panels whereon they had been scheduled to appear. The network has as yet given no explanation for this, and the staff reports that the most they were able to salvage was permission for the actors to appear at autograph sessions.

Do stars of TV shows really have this level of network authority over their public appearances written into their contracts? And why would they not wish the stars of their one breakout hit drama the past two seasons not to appear on a set of panels that basically amounts to free advertising for the show? Especially only weeks after letting these same actors appear at a much larger convention in San Diego and do exactly what they don't want them doing here?

This has the stench of some addle-pated network suit (yeah, I know, a redundancy) reading the website or some Daily Variety squib on the con and screeching, "They're going where? And doing what?! Only weeks before the season premiere? What are they, nuts? You, peon! Call these Dragon*Con people and put a stop to this right now! If they say something to ruin the ratings for this show, all we've got left is My Name Is Earl and The Office! Get on the damn phone and stop them NOW!!!"

Ah, well...I probably wouldn't be doing too many TV panels anyhow. But this reeks of stupid with a side order of bullshit in lame sauce.

Comments

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

Is t3h st00pid going around like a frakking plague? First Fox sues Warner about Watchmen. Now this from NBC. People are using lawyers and jobs and settlements like weapons, and to top it off, I'm three Kevin Bacons from a gentleman who is freshly no longer with us through his own volition.

Hey, Universe, KNOCK IT THE FRACK OFF!!!!

[jannyblue.livejournal.com]

Do stars of TV shows really have this level of network authority over their public appearances written into their contracts?

Actually, yes they do.

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

I mentioned this to a coworker last night, and he gave a possible reason for this. Apparently s03e01 was screened at San Diego Comic-Con, and, except for die-hard Heroes fans, it received a very lukewarm and cooler reception. Whether NBC required major changes (in which case they might be seeking to avoid spoilers) or just don't want to get discussions revved up about the criticisms, it looks like they're having a major case of CYA.

Either way, I'm sorry to hear it, and hope that the show can get back to its groove.

[sffilk.livejournal.com]

and considering everything else that's going on with Dragon*Con this year (and you know what I'm talking about), I'm so glad I'm going to be at this instead. And you also know why I don't do Dragon*Con anymore.

[msminlr.livejournal.com]

Sounds to me like the network didn't get ITS baksheesh up front.