Fox's sleazy game/dating show "Studs" is apparently well aware that its format puts contestants at some risk, but the program does absolutely nothing to protect them.
On the other hand, the producers do go to some lengths to make sure that if something does go wrong, they're legally insulated.For those of you who have been lucky enough to miss "Studs," the format is basically this - two guys (the "Studs") each date three women. Then the five of them go on the air and are prodded to make various lewd comments about each other.
From those statements (many of which can't be repeated here for reasons of taste), it's obvious that many of the contestants become more than a little bit friendly. The executive producer estimated earlier this year that about 20 percent of them have sexual relations.
What makes this all the more interesting is that the producers make absolutely no efforts to screen the contestants, except to make sure they're good looking. There's no evidence that convicted rapists have been allowed on the show, but then the producers really have no idea if that has happened or not.
However, those same producers require that contestants sign a consent form, that reads in part:
"I understand that it is my responsibility to arrange a meeting place and activity on each of my dates that will minimize the risk of the types of harm that may occur in the course of social encounters of this nature. These risks include, but are in no way limited to: non-consensual physical contact; communicable sexual disease, personal injury or property damage; permanent disability or death resulting therefrom; emotional distress; invasion of privacy, slander, or libel."
Oh, and if you get AIDS through "non-consensual physical contact," don't blame us.
This lovely show now airs locally weekdays at 11:30 a.m. (yes, that's a.m.) on KSTU-Ch. 13.KIRO'S TROUBLES: KSL-Ch. 5's sister station, Bonneville-owned KIRO-TV in Seattle, has experienced more than its share of problems in the past few months.
In September, the station laid off 30 staffers, citing the downturn in the economy and weak advertising revenue.
Last month, reporter Mark Sauter quit KIRO when his story on the University of Washington football team was killed.
The story outlined how several Huskies had failed to appear for warrants issued for offenses ranging from traffic violations to assault. KIRO president Ken Hatch took the story off after meeting with UW officials, saying his station should not "do something that would discredit the university when it doesn't deserve it," according to an Associated Press story.
Several KIRO staffers wore black arm bands to the office to protest the decision.
Just days later, KIRO anchor Aaron Brown left the station, although he said he'd made his decision much earlier.
When he was asked by the Seattle Times if after leaving he would still be in the news business, Brown said, "I'm not sure the word `still' applies."
Sort of makes KSL appear placid in comparison.