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Former BET General Counsel Plays Role in Actress's Lawsuit
The longtime general counsel of Black Entertainment Television (BET) has a starring role in actress Gabrielle Union's contract case against the network. In a 17-page complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Union alleges she was duped into working on more episodes of her BET Networks show Being Mary Jane — without a break between seasons four and five to allow her time to continue to pursue her film career between the TV production schedule. “It is outrageous that BET would treat one of its biggest stars in this manner after all she has done to support the network and contribute to its success,” the lawsuit states. Union v. Black Entertainment Television LLC, SC126543.
Union's contract with BET, a division of Viacom Inc., includes a provision stating that it can produce a maximum of 26 episodes of Being Mary Jane per season. According to Union's complaint, Darrell Walker, BET's former top lawyer, told her that this clause could not be modified, but assured her she would do just 13 episodes per season because BET couldn't afford to do more than that and has never done so in its history.
The lawsuit goes on to allege how BET later decided to shoot back-to-back seasons with 10 episodes each, making for a filming schedule for 20 episodes in a row. Or, as the lawsuit puts it, to “cram all of the episodes into a single season in order to fraudulently extend the term of Ms. Union's contract, with no additional consideration.”
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