Klugman suing NBC for Quincy Profits - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

shotzette · 03-30-2008, 12:11 AM

Per AP...

LOS ANGELES - Former "Quincy, M.E." star Jack Klugman sued NBC Universal Friday, claiming the studio is lying about the show's profits and owes him money. Klugman, 85, played the crime-busting Dr. R. Quincy on the show from 1976 to 1983.
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His 1976 contract with NBC entitles him and his company, Sweater Productions, to 25 percent of the show's "net profits," according to the suit filed in Superior Court. Klugman claims his copy of the contract was lost when his agent died, and NBC has refused to provide a copy.

The lawsuit aims to force NBC to divulge the contract and award Klugman attorneys' fees. It also asks the court to clarify the terms of the agreement.

"I recently heard that they made $250 million and it's still on TV in Germany. I don't want their money. I want my money," Klugman told The Associated Press. "I worked my tail off. I got up at four in the morning and stayed at the studio. I did rewrite, I edited."

Calls to NBC Universal Friday seeking comment Friday were not immediately returned.

NBC provided Klugman with an accounting statement showing the series had lost $66 million through 2006, according to the suit. However, Klugman said he believes NBC is lying, and that it made money.

Dr. Thong · 03-30-2008, 11:44 AM

I hope Klugman lives long enough to see the suit settled.

OH Nuts! · 03-30-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I hope Klugman lives long enough to see the suit settled.

Me too

Scoobiedoo30 · 03-30-2008, 04:45 PM

Me as well

Dr. Thong · 03-31-2008, 07:35 PM

I thought it just seemed odd that after all these years and such an advanced age that Klugman would bring a lawsuit against NBC. I haven't seen Quincy in years.

Ireneparalegal · 03-31-2008, 10:01 PM

I am beginning to wonder if the death of his wife Brett Somers has anything to do with him filing now? Though they were separated since 1974, they never divorced. Remember, Jack remarried shortly after Brett's death. He married the woman he had been living with for many years. I wonder if Jack was worried if he sued while Brett was alive, she may have received 50% of what he may get from this lawsuit. They did afterall, live here in California, the 50/50 state.

LeeBlue · 04-01-2008, 03:33 PM

Maybe the court will order an independent audit. Jack was really good as Quincy and (I think) NBC has made a lot of money on the show. I hope Jack is able to collect what he is owed.

Dr. Thong · 04-01-2008, 07:07 PM

Before there was Crossing Jordan, there was Quincy. I believe it was the first show to have a coroner as its' star character.

gidgetgrape · 04-01-2008, 08:06 PM

I was so surprised when I read this story. It's hard to imagine someone having to wait this long to get paid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Before there was Crossing Jordan, there was Quincy. I believe it was the first show to have a coroner as its' star character.

Jack Klugman guest starred on Crossing Jordan as Dr. Leo Gelber. Very cool!
I bought season one of Quincy when it came out on DVD in 2005. Still waiting for season 2, of course.

shotzette · 04-01-2008, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I wonder if Jack was worried if he sued while Brett was alive, she may have received 50% of what he may get from this lawsuit. They did afterall, live here in California, the 50/50 state.

Irene, I think that you have hit the nail right on the head.

Ireneparalegal · 04-02-2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotzette

Irene, I think that you have hit the nail right on the head.

I am glad someone noticed my post.

Hmmmm, do you think so? I mean, it is weird timing (to me). The man is getting old and it isn't as if this occurred overnight.

Dr. Thong · 04-02-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

Jack Klugman guest starred on Crossing Jordan as Dr. Leo Gelber. Very cool!
I bought season one of Quincy when it came out on DVD in 2005. Still waiting for season 2, of course.

I did see that Crossing Jordan episode. I didn't watch that show regularly, but when I heard Klugman was on it, I had to watch. It was nice that the show paid its respects to its predecessor.

gidgetgrape · 04-02-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I am glad someone noticed my post.

Hmmmm, do you think so? I mean, it is weird timing (to me). The man is getting old and it isn't as if this occurred overnight.

If it's true he's sounds really cheap.

shotzette · 04-02-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

If it's true he's sounds really cheap.

Sort of. But, if we want to play devil's advocate, why would anyone one want to give someone half of "their" stuff that they earned if they no longer wanted to be with that person for one reason or another. I have no proof, but i don't see the split up as amicable.

Ireneparalegal · 04-02-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotzette

Sort of. But, if we want to play devil's advocate, why would anyone one want to give someone half of "their" stuff that they earned if they no longer wanted to be with that person for one reason or another. I have no proof, but i don't see the split up as amicable.

They separated in 1974. When was Quincy on the air?

03-30-2008, 12:11 AM	#1
shotzette Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2004 Posts: 1,782	Klugman suing NBC for Quincy Profits Per AP... LOS ANGELES - Former "Quincy, M.E." star Jack Klugman sued NBC Universal Friday, claiming the studio is lying about the show's profits and owes him money. Klugman, 85, played the crime-busting Dr. R. Quincy on the show from 1976 to 1983. ADVERTISEMENT click here His 1976 contract with NBC entitles him and his company, Sweater Productions, to 25 percent of the show's "net profits," according to the suit filed in Superior Court. Klugman claims his copy of the contract was lost when his agent died, and NBC has refused to provide a copy. The lawsuit aims to force NBC to divulge the contract and award Klugman attorneys' fees. It also asks the court to clarify the terms of the agreement. "I recently heard that they made $250 million and it's still on TV in Germany. I don't want their money. I want my money," Klugman told The Associated Press. "I worked my tail off. I got up at four in the morning and stayed at the studio. I did rewrite, I edited." Calls to NBC Universal Friday seeking comment Friday were not immediately returned. NBC provided Klugman with an accounting statement showing the series had lost $66 million through 2006, according to the suit. However, Klugman said he believes NBC is lying, and that it made money.

03-30-2008, 11:44 AM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I hope Klugman lives long enough to see the suit settled.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

03-30-2008, 04:45 PM	#4
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Me as well
	__________________ Who Dat

03-31-2008, 10:01 PM	#6
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	I am beginning to wonder if the death of his wife Brett Somers has anything to do with him filing now? Though they were separated since 1974, they never divorced. Remember, Jack remarried shortly after Brett's death. He married the woman he had been living with for many years. I wonder if Jack was worried if he sued while Brett was alive, she may have received 50% of what he may get from this lawsuit. They did afterall, live here in California, the 50/50 state.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

04-01-2008, 03:33 PM	#7
LeeBlue Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 16, 2006 Location: NYS Posts: 871	Klugman suing NBC for Quincy Profits Maybe the court will order an independent audit. Jack was really good as Quincy and (I think) NBC has made a lot of money on the show. I hope Jack is able to collect what he is owed.

03-31-2008, 07:35 PM	#5
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I thought it just seemed odd that after all these years and such an advanced age that Klugman would bring a lawsuit against NBC. I haven't seen Quincy in years.

04-01-2008, 07:07 PM	#8
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Before there was Crossing Jordan, there was Quincy. I believe it was the first show to have a coroner as its' star character.