Spike Lee, TNN Settle; Network Can Call Itself 'Spike TV'

AP via TBO ^ | July 7, 2003 | Samuel Maull

[John W]

NEW YORK (AP) - Filmmaker Spike Lee and Viacom have settled a lawsuit Lee filed to keep the media giant from calling its TNN cable television network "Spike TV." Lee had obtained a temporary injunction in June, preventing the name change, but on Monday state Supreme Court Justice Walter Tolub lifted the order.

The ruling means Viacom, which also owns CBS and MTV, can proceed immediately with plans to rebrand TNN as Spike TV, the "first television network for men." Viacom said it was renaming TNN "Spike TV" to attract more men to an audience already two-thirds male. Details on the settlement were not disclosed.

Lee, director of "Malcolm X" and "Do the Right Thing," got the injunction after claiming that Viacom was renaming TNN in a deliberate attempt to hijack his name, image and reputation.

Lee, whose real name is Shelton Jackson Lee, said he objected to being associated with low-brow programming.

TNN shows reruns of "The A-Team," "Baywatch" and "Miami Vice" and sports entertainment such as pro wrestling and "American Gladiators."

The network also carries an animated series featuring Pamela Anderson as the voice of Stan Lee's "Stripperella," an undercover agent who is also a stripper.

The judge initially ordered Lee to post a $500,000 bond on June 13 after he issued a temporary injunction against Viacom's plan to rename TNN. But after a hearing two weeks ago, the judge raised the bond to $2.5 million and gave Lee until Monday to post it.

During the hearing, TNN vice president Kevin Kay said the network had lost millions of dollars since the injunction and stood to lose millions more if the bar continued.

The additional $2 million was never posted, and the judge vacated the injunction after both sides reached the agreement, said one of Lee's lawyers, Terry Gross.

"We have settled the case with Viacom," Gross said. "It's obviously good when parties settle."

Viacom officials didn't immediately return telephone calls seeking comment on the judge's order.

While the case was pending, Lee was in Los Angeles filming "Sucker-Free City" for Showtime, a cable network owned by Viacom.

[Paul Atreides]

In other words, Spikey knew he didn't have a case.

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[hollywood]

Lee, director of "Malcolm X" and "Do the Right Thing," ...

Somehow they forgot to mention "White Men Can't Jump" as one of Lee's jewels. No oversight intended there. Did Jayson Blair contribute to this story? (sarcasm off)

[DoughtyOne]

Lee, whose real name is Shelton Jackson Lee, said he objected to being associated with low-brow programming.

I could be wrong, but I don't think there's any danger of them putting your movies on the air Shelton.

[DoughtyOne]

Yeah, but it will be interesting to see if he milked Viacom for some cash. I guess we could just call it a "jive by".

[BossLady]

'Spike TV' sounds like a channel for gay leather biker types! :o

[Atlas Sneezed]

Spike had nothing to do with White Men Can't Jump.

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0105812

[jimbo123]

Shelton wouldn't cough up the extra $2.0 million today as directed by the judge in order to proceed with the suit. Shelton chickened out and I'm sure Viacom didn't pay him a penny.

[Petronski]

While the case was pending, Lee was in Los Angeles filming "Sucker-Free City" for Showtime, a cable network owned by Viacom.

In other words, little Shelton sued his own producer? What an ass!

[nothingnew]

Whew!...I'm glad that's over!...I can't tell y'all! Whew!

FMCDH

[DoughtyOne]

That could be true. Shelton could have failed to respond to the court or Viacom's attempts at contact. However "settlement" does indicate some communication. I'm not sure what that involved. Perhaps it was only Shelton requesting they use the word settlement instead of capitulation.

[Paul Atreides]

Wasn't there a character on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, named Spike? Wonder why Spike didn't get his draws in a wad over that? Also, Spiking someone's punch can have a negative connotation. All of this was Spike's way of getting a little publicity for himself.

[DoughtyOne]

Nice. Real nice.

[Petronski]

Shiela Jackson Lee
Shelton Jackson Lee

Hmmm? What is wrong with this combination of letters that produces such idiocy?

[Rebelbase]

I liked the old TNN better than what I see now.

[jimbo123]

Notice how Shelton's lawyer is doing the talking right now. Shelton didn't have the $2.0 million so they have to go back to court tomorrow. I wish Viacom would countersue for the $500,000 bond Shelton already posted to compensate for losses suffered to date, but it probably won't happen.

[galt-jw]

Lee, whose real name is Shelton Jackson Lee, said he objected to being associated with low-brow programming....

...despite his failed career as a racism farming grade B movie producer.....but a new network, named SHELTON TV, would be OK. "The name Shelton is so damn dorky," said Lee, "that I knew in order to be understood as anything but a short, angry, racist, I had to take on a name that commanded respect. That's why I chose the name of a Bugs Bunny character."

[jimbo123]

Shelton can't get the financing for real movies any more since they don't make money. So he's doing made-for-cable movies now. Poor Shelton.

[Paul Atreides]

So far, the only thing good on the new TNN is the Bond movies.