Ladettes threaten publicity strike

As I’ve noted several times before, reality TV is all about manipulation.

In what could turn out to be a reality first, cast members from Aussie Ladette to Lady are threatening to boycott publicity for the next Nine series unless they are paid for out of pocket expenses, claims the Brisbane Times.

A spokesperson from Nine has denied the claims, citing confidentiality.

According to the report, contestants are demanding up to $5000 each from Nine.

It claims Nine slash Ladette budget by 30% and that two production crew quit the show within the first week, upset about the treatment of the contestants. In an industry where jobs are shortlived, that’s a refreshing rarity.

The girls are believed to have spent a lot of their own money during filming.

Nine is also said to have abandoned a ”reunion episode” whichwould see contestants fly to Sydney.

Last year’s filming of this episode resulted in damage to hotel property which got Nine more headlines for the show ahead of its launch.

Nine also flew by Eggleston Hall’s Gill Harbord and Rosemary Shrager to Australia for the launch.

If talk of the strike is true, maybe the girls were too well instructed in self-respect and learning to stand up for themselves? Still, it’s probably one of the few shows where a resistance can be used as a positive rather than a negative…

Nine is yet to announce an airdate.

Source: Brisbane Times