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BEYOND THE MAT... USA cries uncle... Its not our fault!
Never let it be said that AICN won't show both sides of an issue, The Big McGroo has sent Father Geek the following about USA's entanglement in the whole BEYOND THE MAT ads knock down...
Well, Sorry to bother you, PapaGeek... but I just needed to make sure
something is obscenely clear for people, especially in light of all of
the bitching towards USA Network over the non-showing of Beyond The Mat
ads. To get to the meat of the matter:
Don't Blame USA Network.
USA Network is getting a very bad light put on them for something they
didn't do. The ad time was bought through the WWF, NOT the USA network.
USA Network had no control over it being shown or not. Due to it being a
wrestling film that the WWF supported strongly through the complete
making of, Barry Blaustein felt that it would be easiest and more
benificial to sell the ads through the WWF directly. Unfortunately, the
WWF previewed the film and chickened out, pulling the ads and support,
and not allowing BTM any chance to go through USA Network instead.
So, while a grave injustice has been done, directing wrath towards
anyone but the WWF is not justified.
Just needed to make sure that was known...
by the way, tomorrow, www.scoopswrestling.com will be having a interview
with Blaustein about the movie and its problems now... should be up on
their web site the day after that if they do some speed typing to get it
up. Wouldn't hurt to give that a gander in a few days....
Anyways, thanks for your time.
The Big McGroo
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...especially since I e-mailed a nasty letter to USA Network about this. Ah well... first?
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that never works out right...
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OK, so USA didn't pull the ads, but I'm still upset! They stole my precious gem of virginity. They took my sweet, sweet gem, and I can never get it back.
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As a whole lot of AINC readers did (as usual), attacking USA, UPN, FOX, WWF, PBS, Jesus and the like without a CLEAR understanding of the facts.
The movie looks damn interesting, with or without all this hoopla, and I'm going to see it. Honestly, I don't think this corporate decision will affect the film and it's financial wellbeing that much.
Some people worry too much -
...F*** 'em if they can't take a joke.
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....anybody else going to have nightmares of the icon of Harry in the corner? I only say this because I just noticed it now licks his lips. I'm going to the therapist now.
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Something smelled fishy to me before anyway. Isn't Diller responsible for the release of a lot of good indie films in the last year or so, including fan favorite Being John Malkovich? I don't think a guy who supports unique visions and different takes on society would trample over a picture like this. Glad to hear that ain't the case.
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Sorry, but as a private company, WWF can refuse to sell advertising to anyone (except when it's racial or other form of discrimination.) Vince MacMahon has abviously seen this movie, and decided he doesn't want wrestling fans to know about it. But forget about writing letters! We can make our voices heard by **seeing the movie anyway.** Let's prove that when film geeks want a movie, then we get it! Can I get a Hell Yeah!
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Mar 02, 2000 10:09:04 PM CST
Well, well, well, and here I thought I was being precocious by w
by niiiice
Reacting just like religious fanatics when they hear some bit about Dogma, or those uppity animal rights activists who trash medical labs that are testing beneficial new drugs. The scoops we got were extremely biased with little facts, but it was just enough for people to get pissed off and go on an email rant. The way AICN reacted and sensationalized this story is also pretty sickening, but this is a rumor site after all. But going after the cable channel like that was in bad taste, especially if they didn't bother to find out more information. Tsk, tsk.
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Lions Gate is unable to use the names of the WWF professional wrestlers in the film because the names are owned by WWF. Supposedly, WWF chose to hinder this film because it shows injuries sustained in the 'sport' can sometimes take a devastating toll on the wrestlers and their families (something which they don't want to endorse considering the recent lawsuits).
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Seeing as though DarthCrapper was the only one to say it, I'll go ahead and repeat.--- Does this article really say that the wwf controls the advertising on the usa network? Isn't that a case of the inmates running the asylum. (I think I already know the answer to that question.)
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Wait, I never had any! But this still bites for BTM. I understand that the WWF is its own company and has certain legal battles going on, but it just seemed in the earlier reports about this movie (not just the other night's) that the WWF supported and wholly endorsed this film and now...their back is turned because it's not profitable (or a good move for court) to show a human side and the dangerous side to their sport. Just shows you need to get things in writing regarding usage of corporate related stuff.
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In all actuality, this article/column is merely a different argument on the same side of the issue. Whether it was USA or the WWF who pulled the ads is immaterial. Either of these companies have the right to collect their advertising dollars from any source that they please and to exclude any source that they please, just as the proprietors of AICN have the right to reject ads from sources that they deem unacceptable, for any reason. No one's rights have been violated and this is not a plot by synergistic corporations to destroy competitors. It was a business decision based on the fact that, upon viewing of the film and or ads, Vince McMahon felt that BTM advertised for his competition (WCW) to an extent that he may lose ratings because of it. Whether the movie is factual and well made(which I'm sure that it is) makes absolutely no difference in whether or not the WWF has the right to pull the ads. If the e-mailers win here, the only rights which will have been violated are those of USA and the WWF.
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If the WWF pulled the film's ads, surely Lion's Gate was reimbursed. Couldn't they then just go through USA and buy ads during WWF programs? Unless WWF has veto power over who advertises during their show?
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I saw Beyond The Mat last Friday night, and I can finally see why Harry and the gang have made such a fuss over it. It's not often that you get a real inside look like this, and after seeing it you might not want to again. Although it is very entertaining, a lot of the things you see are also somewhat disturbing. I have a new respect for the wrestlers themselves. And as for all of you out in Talkback Land, I can definitely recommend seeing this film... even if you don't care for pro wrestling.
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