Speaking of the AWAs on the Spielberg/Hanks production, here's another story of worker exploitation on Australian TV which came up today. This time on Big Brother:
Big Brother pays cash in hand
Scott Casey May 22, 2007 - 10:17AM
For more than two seasons, Big Brother's producers have used off-the-books, cash-in-hand labour for its Friday night games show - thereby avoiding tax and the need to provide compensation to injured workers.
A long-serving Big Brother employee contacted brisbanetimes.com.au this week to reveal Endemol Southern Star was paying "stand-ins" $50 cash-in-hand per shift to set up and test the challenges faced by housemates on the Friday night show.
"They are called 'stand ins' or 'test dummies' - they just pay them $50 bucks cash in hand at the end of the day," the employee said.
"They don't pay any tax, they don't have pay any superannuation. I've seen heaps of injuries - I've seen strained muscles, pulled ligaments, shoulder injuries, neck injuries, knee injuries. The other day they had a bucking bull and two guys pulled their quadriceps.
"If they have to be taken off in an ambulance then they look after them, but most of the injuries are things that you realise when you get home and your shoulder stiffens up and the next day you can't move it."
Under the Pay As You Go (PAYG) system, suppliers are able to provide goods or services for up to $50 without providing an ABN. They are then not subject to tax.
The Big Brother employee said the practice had been going on "for a few seasons".
A spokesperson for Endemol Southern Star yesterday said that all cast members for Friday night games were contracted and that all agreements were above board.
The employee who contacted brisbanetimes.com.au said he was unhappy with his employment conditions, which involved working under contract for the four-month series.
"It's only a four-month contract and then they sack us anyway," he said.
"I get paid $3000 for the four-month season for working on one of Australia's highest-rating TV series - I think we went live to 1.7 million people last week (on) Friday night."
It's yet another controversy for Big Brother, which this year has battled government attacks and falling ratings.
Earlier this year, Big Brother was rocked by an incident in which a former housemate - who had previously had a miscarriage - broke down after being told to participate in a challenge which involved looking after a baby.
Last season, Big Brother was lambasted for its infamous "turkey slap" incident and criticised for the explicit content in its late night segment Big Brother Uncut.
In response, Big Brother Uncut was axed and viewers instead offered an online, uncut subscription service.
Good episode. Would love to see Marieke a consistent guest. I love hearing about the industry and writing experience.
catbrain
· 2 years ago
Isn't McLeod's Daughters the most lucrative export these days?
Neighbours in hi-def? I reckon it will end up looking like headLand.
I have no idea what Australian daytime soaps are like now, but they had a history of covering issues of concern to the general population, albeit in a bit of a lame fashion. I'm surprised at how brazen it was on McLeod's.
Josh, you are a complete snob, but at least you can pronounce Carnivà le correctly.
jimbo
· 2 years ago
In Rod We Trust.
Bolden
· 2 years ago
I'll admit, I like the sound of Neighbours in HD, clearly it's a stipulation from Ch5 where in the UK, HDTV is king.
I'm not keen on it for Neighbours per se, but hopefully this will flow on to other Aus. produced shows and we get more HD here.
Daniel D Boxcutter
· 2 years ago
Paul Higgins is back now (yay!) so any concerns the Lady D D and I had have now been allayed.
Nevertheless, my thanks to Ross for almost making an effort to answer my question.
Ross
· 2 years ago
Told you Higgins was on holidays...
Rob Boxcutter
· 2 years ago
I've just been watching The Chaser boys do their thing on the ABC and even though I love what they do (mostly), credit where credit's due fellas - I've been noticing a pattern:
First there was "What We've Learnt From Current Affairs This Week". Raywatch by any other name would smell as dodgy.
Then there was the "Ad Road Test." Uh-uh, I don't buy it!
Finally tonight they had something like "Things You May Have Missed on Cable TV."
Next week I'm sure they'll be serving up Pork.
[This post has no connection with BCep86. Any similarities to actual content in BCep86, either living or dead, is purely coincidental]
Written and authorised by Rob Boxcutter
MoBo
· 2 years ago
Yes, I thought the same thing Rob Boxcutter. They even do a video podcast!!
Ross
· 2 years ago
Rest assured, we have noticed. One of our number is even trying to get one or the more of the Chaser boys on the show so he can accuse them of stealing our material.
Personally, I think they owe a much greater debt to the D-Gen Late Show crew.
JB
· 2 years ago
I also do not get Family Guy, I have tried, I really have but nothing. However I do find American Dad hilarious, so go figure!!!
Another top show guys, Boxcutters just keeps getting better. Any comments on Sleeper Cell, just watched both series and thought it was all 24 hoped to be. Flight of the Concords pilot is available on their myspace page, so Brett's special fancy not required. I liked it and will download the hell out of it, well the first couple of episodes anyway.
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Honestly, who is surprised?
Neighbours in hi-def? I reckon it will end up looking like headLand.
I have no idea what Australian daytime soaps are like now, but they had a history of covering issues of concern to the general population, albeit in a bit of a lame fashion. I'm surprised at how brazen it was on McLeod's.
Josh, you are a complete snob, but at least you can pronounce Carnivà le correctly.
I'm not keen on it for Neighbours per se, but hopefully this will flow on to other Aus. produced shows and we get more HD here.
Nevertheless, my thanks to Ross for almost making an effort to answer my question.
First there was "What We've Learnt From Current Affairs This Week". Raywatch by any other name would smell as dodgy.
Then there was the "Ad Road Test." Uh-uh, I don't buy it!
Finally tonight they had something like "Things You May Have Missed on Cable TV."
Next week I'm sure they'll be serving up Pork.
[This post has no connection with BCep86. Any similarities to actual content in BCep86, either living or dead, is purely coincidental]
Written and authorised by Rob Boxcutter
Personally, I think they owe a much greater debt to the D-Gen Late Show crew.
Another top show guys, Boxcutters just keeps getting better. Any comments on Sleeper Cell, just watched both series and thought it was all 24 hoped to be. Flight of the Concords pilot is available on their myspace page, so Brett's special fancy not required. I liked it and will download the hell out of it, well the first couple of episodes anyway.