Hawaii Five-0 (CBS Productions) - Blu-ray Forum

kemcha · 04-10-2014, 10:29 AM

I was just reading that the rebooted Hawaii Five-0 TV series is embroiled in a major lawsuit that could end up seeing the TV series cancelled. Apparently, George Litto, the former talent agent for the show’s original creator, Leonard Freeman, has been pursuing a $100 million lawsuit against the Freeman estates and CBS and if the court find in favor for Litto, CBS could end up cancelling the series as it wouldn't be worth the investment for the studio.

As it turns out, Litto had a long standing arrangement with Leonard Freeman, in which he would receive a 10% commission on Freeman's 50% commission. This was back during the production of the original 1960's TV series. But when Freeman passed away, Litto renegotiated the terms of the agreement with CBS, which was very favorable to Freeman's widow.

Back in 1997, when CBS considered making a movie and a new pilot was produced (starring Gary Busey, of all people), Freeman's daughter, Robin, and Litto formed a 50-50 partnership called L/F Productions to claim "rights to all the revenues generated from new television productions, feature films, or ancillary rights based on the 'Hawaii Five-O' Series".

Apparently, when CBS started thinking about the remake idea again in 2010, CBS struck a deal with the Freeman estate, going behind Litto's back since there was already an agreement in place with Freeman's estate through L/F Productions. Worse yet, CBS was aware of this agreement, which may put them on the hook for the damages sought in this lawsuit.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...n_5121247.html

It just looks like this lawsuit might spell the end for this TV series.

04-10-2014, 10:29 AM	#1
kemcha Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Michigan, USA 4K collection:18 Blu-ray collection:344 Blu-ray reviews:18 Trading Score:32	Hawaii Five-0 (CBS Productions) I was just reading that the rebooted Hawaii Five-0 TV series is embroiled in a major lawsuit that could end up seeing the TV series cancelled. Apparently, George Litto, the former talent agent for the show’s original creator, Leonard Freeman, has been pursuing a $100 million lawsuit against the Freeman estates and CBS and if the court find in favor for Litto, CBS could end up cancelling the series as it wouldn't be worth the investment for the studio. As it turns out, Litto had a long standing arrangement with Leonard Freeman, in which he would receive a 10% commission on Freeman's 50% commission. This was back during the production of the original 1960's TV series. But when Freeman passed away, Litto renegotiated the terms of the agreement with CBS, which was very favorable to Freeman's widow. Back in 1997, when CBS considered making a movie and a new pilot was produced (starring Gary Busey, of all people), Freeman's daughter, Robin, and Litto formed a 50-50 partnership called L/F Productions to claim "rights to all the revenues generated from new television productions, feature films, or ancillary rights based on the 'Hawaii Five-O' Series". Apparently, when CBS started thinking about the remake idea again in 2010, CBS struck a deal with the Freeman estate, going behind Litto's back since there was already an agreement in place with Freeman's estate through L/F Productions. Worse yet, CBS was aware of this agreement, which may put them on the hook for the damages sought in this lawsuit. Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...n_5121247.html It just looks like this lawsuit might spell the end for this TV series.

Best TV Deals