‘Real Housewives’ cast member suing show’s creators
New York –
In a recent court hearing, the attorney representing former Real Housewives of New York cast member Leah McSweeney argued that the First Amendment should not shield the show’s creators from a lawsuit alleging a toxic workplace culture.
Sarah Matz, McSweeney’s lawyer, urged the federal judge to allow the lawsuit to proceed to the evidence-gathering stage for trial, claiming that the allegations of mistreatment should be taken seriously.
On the other side, Adam Levin, representing defendants such as producer Andy Cohen and Bravo channel, argued that the First Amendment protected the show’s creators and that the lawsuit should be dismissed without further proceedings.
The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, alleges that McSweeney was pressured to drink alcohol on the show, despite her struggles with alcoholism, and faced retaliation when she sought to remain sober or requested accommodations for her sobriety.
Additionally, the lawsuit claims that McSweeney was subjected to psychological manipulation and prevented from visiting her dying grandmother, with threats of financial consequences if she left the filming location.
Matz emphasized that the show creators were aware of McSweeney’s efforts to maintain sobriety, stating, “The show is not called the ‘Drunk Housewives of New York City.'” The judge, although unfamiliar with the show, expressed interest in the case and questioned both parties extensively.
Levin argued that ruling in favor of McSweeney’s claims could set a dangerous precedent for reality television and other forms of entertainment, potentially stifling creative freedom and expression.
While acknowledging some limits to First Amendment protection for show creators, Levin maintained that McSweeney’s lawsuit did not qualify for exceptions that would warrant legal action against the producers.
The judge pondered the boundaries of directors’ influence on show participants’ behavior, raising hypothetical scenarios of extreme demands on cast members. Levin suggested that such extreme scenarios would not fall within the limited exceptions to First Amendment protection.
