underpaid

It should come as no surprise that behind-the-scenes folks on television (and sometimes even in-front-of-the-scenes folks) are routinely taken advantage of in the entertainment industry (if it can happen at Walmart, it can happen anywhere). However, it seems that some of these employees are fighting back, specifically against FremantleMedia, the producers of American Idol. Fremantle is being accused of not paying overtime, falsifying time cards, and not giving employees the meals and breaks they're supposed to get.

Most of the people that I know who work in the entertainment business (usually at the low end) testify that it sucks. Low wages. Crappy hours. Demeaning work. Why do they do it? The same reason people work at any of the arts for a beggars' wage: either for the sake of the art or to eventually become famous (or both). They start at the bottom and work their way up unless they're lucky enough to be a celebrity offspring.

This sort of attitude leads to people taking advantage and hence this lawsuit. Whatever will Simon Cowell think of this?