Carol Burnett Files $2 Million Dollar Suit Against FOX - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-16-2007, 05:11 PM

LOS ANGELES - Carol Burnett has filed a $2 million copyright infringement lawsuit against 20th Century Fox, claiming her cleaning woman character was portrayed on the animated series "Family Guy."

The U.S. District Court lawsuit, which was filed Thursday, said the Fox show didn't have the 73-year-old comedian's permission to include her cleaning woman character, Charwoman, in an April 2006 episode.

The episode shows Charwoman as a porno-shop maid, and it uses what the lawsuit called an "altered version" of Burnett's theme music. The characters in the show also perform Burnett's signature ear tug, the lawsuit said.

Besides copyright infringement, Burnett alleges 20th Century Fox violated her publicity rights.

The studio said it was surprised by the lawsuit over what amounted to about an 18-second scene.

"`Family Guy,' like `The Carol Burnett Show,' is famous for its pop culture parodies and satirical jabs at celebrities. We are surprised that Ms. Burnett, who has made a career of spoofing others on television, would go so far as to sue `Family Guy' for a simple bit of comedy," said 20th Century Fox Television spokesman Chris Alexander.

Ireneparalegal · 03-16-2007, 06:51 PM

Hmmmm...

Dr. Thong · 03-16-2007, 07:12 PM

It's a SPOOF, Carol!! Get over it!!

I hope Margaret Mitchell's heirs sue Carol over her famous Gone With The Wind parody.

TJL · 03-16-2007, 07:54 PM

I think that at this point in her life Carol should be happy that someone on TV not only remembers her show, but is paying homage to it by doing a bit about it on Family Guy.

I mean seriously, how many younger Family Guy fans even know who Carol Burnett is?

80sTrivia · 03-16-2007, 07:57 PM

I hope every celebrity who gets made fun of on The Family Guy doesn't decide to sue the show, as that would include just about everyone in Hollywood!!!

Ireneparalegal · 03-16-2007, 08:47 PM

The Facts of Life would have a hey day if they decided to sue.

Ant-Lox · 03-17-2007, 05:35 AM

Carol's taking herself to seriously.

88survivor · 03-17-2007, 08:16 AM

Has Carol forgotten that she also made fun of everybody in The Carol Burnett Show? From ordinary people to scenes from a movie or spoof of a soap.

Zebra 3 · 03-17-2007, 01:20 PM

Put me on the jury and watch a $2M suit turn into a $20M one.

bencasey · 03-19-2007, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

I hope every celebrity who gets made fun of on The Family Guy doesn't decide to sue the show, as that would include just about everyone in Hollywood!!!

I hope they do.

friendsfan77 · 03-19-2007, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88survivor

Has Carol forgotten that she also made fun of everybody in The Carol Burnett Show? From ordinary people to scenes from a movie or spoof of a soap.

This is exactly why I find it peculiar that she's doing this.

ramuno · 03-20-2007, 12:22 AM

Not to agree with her decision, but she probably thought that the parody of her was too rude.

catlover79 · 03-20-2007, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

I hope every celebrity who gets made fun of on The Family Guy doesn't decide to sue the show, as that would include just about everyone in Hollywood!!!

I'll bet she settles out of court for royalties or something.

88survivor · 03-20-2007, 08:22 AM

Family Guy not only makes fun of television shows and actors from bygone eras, but musicians, nudists, homophobics, bigots, culture differences, etc. Hell, even South Park makes fun of everyone, doesn't matter if it was famous or something unless you count Robert Smith of The Cure destroying the monster, Barbra Streisand, which did voice at one point.

But it is not to be taken seriously...hell, Spongebob Squarepants is also not serious in tone because its characters.

Scoobiedoo30 · 03-20-2007, 03:44 PM

This is news to me

03-16-2007, 05:11 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,498	Carol Burnett Files $2 Million Dollar Suit Against FOX LOS ANGELES - Carol Burnett has filed a $2 million copyright infringement lawsuit against 20th Century Fox, claiming her cleaning woman character was portrayed on the animated series "Family Guy." The U.S. District Court lawsuit, which was filed Thursday, said the Fox show didn't have the 73-year-old comedian's permission to include her cleaning woman character, Charwoman, in an April 2006 episode. The episode shows Charwoman as a porno-shop maid, and it uses what the lawsuit called an "altered version" of Burnett's theme music. The characters in the show also perform Burnett's signature ear tug, the lawsuit said. Besides copyright infringement, Burnett alleges 20th Century Fox violated her publicity rights. The studio said it was surprised by the lawsuit over what amounted to about an 18-second scene. "`Family Guy,' like `The Carol Burnett Show,' is famous for its pop culture parodies and satirical jabs at celebrities. We are surprised that Ms. Burnett, who has made a career of spoofing others on television, would go so far as to sue `Family Guy' for a simple bit of comedy," said 20th Century Fox Television spokesman Chris Alexander.
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03-16-2007, 06:51 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Hmmmm...
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03-16-2007, 07:12 PM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	It's a SPOOF, Carol!! Get over it!! I hope Margaret Mitchell's heirs sue Carol over her famous Gone With The Wind parody.
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03-16-2007, 07:54 PM	#4
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I think that at this point in her life Carol should be happy that someone on TV not only remembers her show, but is paying homage to it by doing a bit about it on Family Guy. I mean seriously, how many younger Family Guy fans even know who Carol Burnett is?
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03-16-2007, 07:57 PM	#5
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	I hope every celebrity who gets made fun of on The Family Guy doesn't decide to sue the show, as that would include just about everyone in Hollywood!!!
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03-16-2007, 08:47 PM	#6
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	The Facts of Life would have a hey day if they decided to sue.

03-17-2007, 05:35 AM	#7
Ant-Lox Cloud Watcher Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,824	Carol's taking herself to seriously.
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03-17-2007, 08:16 AM	#8
88survivor Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,849	Has Carol forgotten that she also made fun of everybody in The Carol Burnett Show? From ordinary people to scenes from a movie or spoof of a soap.

03-17-2007, 01:20 PM	#9
Zebra 3 Striped Tomato Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 26, 2002 Location: Bay City Posts: 5,812	Put me on the jury and watch a $2M suit turn into a $20M one.
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03-20-2007, 12:22 AM	#12
ramuno Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 24, 2004 Location: Agoura, California Posts: 31	Not to agree with her decision, but she probably thought that the parody of her was too rude.

03-20-2007, 08:22 AM	#14
88survivor Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,849	Family Guy not only makes fun of television shows and actors from bygone eras, but musicians, nudists, homophobics, bigots, culture differences, etc. Hell, even South Park makes fun of everyone, doesn't matter if it was famous or something unless you count Robert Smith of The Cure destroying the monster, Barbra Streisand, which did voice at one point. But it is not to be taken seriously...hell, Spongebob Squarepants is also not serious in tone because its characters.

03-20-2007, 03:44 PM	#15
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	This is news to me
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