(From The New York Daily News -- By Lloyd Grove)
NBC has a simple message for disgruntled APPRENTICE contestants who go public about star DONALD TRUMP and
MARK BURNETT PRODUCTIONS (MBP):
Shut up -- or else!
In response to LOWDOWN's exclusive reports, a network lawyer has emailed to this season's 18 contestants a promise of severe consequences if they bad-mouth the show in violation of nondisclosure agreements.
As for fired APPRENTICE contestants MARKUS GARRISON and JENNIFER WALLEN -- who alleged to LOWDOWN last week that the show's editing is tricked up and THE DONALD is a sexist -- they received cease-and-desist letters and threats of legal action.
"As you may know, two APPRENTICE participants have recently spoken to LLOYD GROVE of THE DAILY NEWS alleging that they were portrayed unfairly in the program," NBC business affairs attorney LEE STRAUS wrote in an email obtained by LOWDOWN.
"These actions constitute a serious breach of the Applicant Agreement which provides (in part) that you may not discuss the program publicly or reveal information regarding the show without MBP's and NBC's consent."
I hear that, as with other reality shows, THE APPRENTICE requires participants to agree not to talk to folks like me without permission. I'm told that even if they are publicly humiliated and their reputations are trashed on national television, they're not allowed to defend themselves.
And if they don't zip their lips, "MBP and NBC are entitled to receive liquidated damages of $5 million, any income you may receive in connection with your breach, and any attorneys' fees that MBP and NBC incur in enforcing their rights," Straus wrote.
"This is obviously not a pleasant prospect."
No kidding.
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