Spike Lee vs TNN? at DVinfo.net

K. Forman · June 27th, 2003, 09:04 AM

I have been watching the changes that TNN has been making to it's format. It starts out as a Country Music Video format. Then, it switches to sports and movies. Now, they are becoming a "Man's channel", complete with cartoons aimed towards adult men.

This is where my puzzlement comes in- They are planning to change the name to Spike TV. OK, I don't quite get it, but whatever. Now Spike Lee is sueing them, saying they are using his name to boost viewership. I don't see the connection. I have never sat down to watch a Spike Lee production, but how does he become the icon for men?

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 27th, 2003, 11:02 AM

And the news yesterday was that for his case to go forward, Lee must post $2.5 million bond to cover TNN's legal expenses in case he loses....

Billy McPherson · June 27th, 2003, 11:07 AM

This lawsuit is a joke. It's gonna get thrown out, or TNN will win. The only reason Spike Lee's suing them is because he's a greedy bastard and thinks he can make a quick buck.

Josh Bass · June 27th, 2003, 11:27 AM

You sure there's no association with the SPIKE and mike animation festival? Especially being that only SPIKE is still alive, and that you mentioned it was cartoons?

K. Forman · June 27th, 2003, 11:34 AM

I'm not really sure about anything, except Lee challenging TNN. I have seen some of the lin-up they will be presenting, Stripperella by Stan Lee, Ren and Stimpy, and Gary the Rat. As far as the rest of their programming, it will likely be like TNT's "movies for guys who like movies". Also racing, sports, etc.

I still don't see how Lee can see the infringement... Since when has he been associated with any of these?

Nathan Gifford · June 27th, 2003, 11:35 AM

I do not think that Spike Lee will prevail, but he does have an issue. Spike is involved in the media business and Spike TV is certainly media related. What he has got to show in court is that people will get confused thinking it is indeed produced by Spike Lee.

My take is that so far no one I talked too ever made the connection between Spike Lee and Spike TV. But then maybe I am not travelling the same circles as TNN and Spike Lee?

What might be a more interesting question is what if Spike Lee did decide to open his own network? Would TNN (Spike TV) raise a ruckus if he created Spike Lee TV?

On the other hand maybe he just doesn't want to see the Spike TV animated series 'Stripper PI(?)' anywhere near his name....

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 27th, 2003, 11:56 AM

"My take is that so far no one I talked too ever made the connection between Spike Lee and Spike TV."

I thought there was a relationship, after I heard the name "Spike TV" but before I heard about the lawsuit.

It will be a difficult case to prove. In any case, there are in reality very few people who involve themselves in lawsuits out of mere greed. It takes quite a bit of moral conviction and real belief in the righteousness of one's position to withstand the hell that is the court process. For example, one strategy the defense might employ is to try to show that TNN would never want to name their channel "Spike TV" if they thought there would be confusion with Spike Lee by defaming Lee and denigrating the appeal or morality of his body of work.

And I'm sure Spike has better things to be doing with that $2.5 million than letting it rot in a court's account.

Nathan Gifford · June 27th, 2003, 12:07 PM

My thought was it was a really, really dumb name for a channel. That doesn't mean it won't be successful, but I wonder if I will keep watching TNN after the name change.

You know this bring up another point too, do you think this is nothing more than TNN & Spike Lee stirring things up to gain publicity for their projects? After all hasn't Lee and TNN work on project before?

Eric Lian · June 27th, 2003, 01:14 PM

Any publicity, even bad publicity, is good publicity... especially where the entertainment industry is concerned.

The fact is, anyone can sue anybody, for anything, at anytime... Frivilous or not, it's the American way.

What we have here is someone who has become a legend in his own mind. He hears the word Spike and thinks it's about him. Well, what about legendary musician, Spike Jones? Or the other Hollywood directory, Spike Jonze? Will Spike Lee be able to interfere with their commercial projects because they use the word "Spike". Will the National Volleyball Association have to embrace the word "Smack" to describe a hard hit ball? Ironically, Spike isn't even Spike Lee's real name.

Perhaps I should productize "Eric". Only I can use it - cause I'm in a legend in my own mind. Forget about using the word "America" in anything. It's got "eric" in the middle of it: A.M.E.R.I.C.A.
We will now be known as The United States of Ama per my pending lawsuit.

God bless our great country.
Better use the term USA. United States of Ama might get confusing...

Heath McKnight · June 27th, 2003, 08:49 PM

I like how you can read about the ongoing battles in Entertainment Weekly, but their TV listing still indicates it as SPIKE. Heh heh...

Stupid lawsuit from a guy who hasn't made a good movie since DO THE RIGHT THING.

heath

Erik Selakoff · June 28th, 2003, 03:41 PM

Exactly Heath. I mean, what was the total box office for Lee's last 5 films combined, like $10,000,000.00 worldwide? If that? Spike Lee is a joke & this is one of the more assinine lawsuits in recent memoery. Hence Johnnie Cochrane. I'm just waiting for Al Sharpton to get involved.

K. Forman · June 28th, 2003, 03:51 PM

Al Sharpton is too busy running for Prez...

Aaron Koolen · June 28th, 2003, 04:50 PM

Erik. I'm not laying claim to know what Spike Lee's agenda is in the movie business (money or politics or what) but maybe making only $10 mill isn't a big thing if he's making movies he wants to make - can we assume he's just in it for the $$ and failing miserably?

I thought Bamboozled was actually a great movie. Sure shot on VX1000's and you could tell but the movie was fine.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Spike Lee defender - I probably couldn't tell him apart in a room full of people (Unless they were all white ;) )

I think Spike does good movies and I like the issues he tackles.99% of the other shite that comes out of Hollywood that makes 10-20x what he makes is just drivel and Spike lee's films wipe the floor with them IMO.

Anyway, the lawsuit does sound a bit of a stretch. Anyone have a link to an article on it with some more info?

Cheers
Aaron

Heath McKnight · June 28th, 2003, 05:45 PM

It's sad is all, that he's suing. Give me a break; such a great filmmaker. Not as angry as he used to be.

heath

Erik Selakoff · June 28th, 2003, 05:57 PM

Actually Aaron, with the mentiojn of box-office I was alluding more to the fact that it seems to me that the public has seemingly grown tired of Spike Lee's films. With "Do the Right Thing" I thought Spike had promise but with his opening of "Spike's Joint," his court-side antics and his Nike commercials for Jordan sneakers, (not to mention his last few films, which I won't get into here) I lost more & more respect for him as a person as well as a filmmaker. But when he lambasted the public, particularly African-Americans, for not going out & supporting his films (he was speaking of Bamboozled's relative box-off failure) I lost what little respect I had for him. IMO his latest move is simply a shining example of the kind of person he is (has become???), a publicity whore. He has no more claim to the word "Spike" than I do & this case should not have made it as far as it has.

June 27th, 2003, 09:04 AM	#1
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Spike Lee vs TNN? I have been watching the changes that TNN has been making to it's format. It starts out as a Country Music Video format. Then, it switches to sports and movies. Now, they are becoming a "Man's channel", complete with cartoons aimed towards adult men. This is where my puzzlement comes in- They are planning to change the name to Spike TV. OK, I don't quite get it, but whatever. Now Spike Lee is sueing them, saying they are using his name to boost viewership. I don't see the connection. I have never sat down to watch a Spike Lee production, but how does he become the icon for men?

June 27th, 2003, 11:02 AM	#2
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	And the news yesterday was that for his case to go forward, Lee must post $2.5 million bond to cover TNN's legal expenses in case he loses.... __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 27th, 2003, 11:27 AM	#4
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	You sure there's no association with the SPIKE and mike animation festival? Especially being that only SPIKE is still alive, and that you mentioned it was cartoons? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

June 27th, 2003, 11:35 AM	#6
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	I do not think that Spike Lee will prevail, but he does have an issue. Spike is involved in the media business and Spike TV is certainly media related. What he has got to show in court is that people will get confused thinking it is indeed produced by Spike Lee. My take is that so far no one I talked too ever made the connection between Spike Lee and Spike TV. But then maybe I am not travelling the same circles as TNN and Spike Lee? What might be a more interesting question is what if Spike Lee did decide to open his own network? Would TNN (Spike TV) raise a ruckus if he created Spike Lee TV? On the other hand maybe he just doesn't want to see the Spike TV animated series 'Stripper PI(?)' anywhere near his name.... __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

June 27th, 2003, 11:56 AM	#7
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	"My take is that so far no one I talked too ever made the connection between Spike Lee and Spike TV." I thought there was a relationship, after I heard the name "Spike TV" but before I heard about the lawsuit. It will be a difficult case to prove. In any case, there are in reality very few people who involve themselves in lawsuits out of mere greed. It takes quite a bit of moral conviction and real belief in the righteousness of one's position to withstand the hell that is the court process. For example, one strategy the defense might employ is to try to show that TNN would never want to name their channel "Spike TV" if they thought there would be confusion with Spike Lee by defaming Lee and denigrating the appeal or morality of his body of work. And I'm sure Spike has better things to be doing with that $2.5 million than letting it rot in a court's account. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 27th, 2003, 11:07 AM	#3
Billy McPherson New Boot Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 15	This lawsuit is a joke. It's gonna get thrown out, or TNN will win. The only reason Spike Lee's suing them is because he's a greedy bastard and thinks he can make a quick buck.

June 27th, 2003, 11:34 AM	#5
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I'm not really sure about anything, except Lee challenging TNN. I have seen some of the lin-up they will be presenting, Stripperella by Stan Lee, Ren and Stimpy, and Gary the Rat. As far as the rest of their programming, it will likely be like TNT's "movies for guys who like movies". Also racing, sports, etc. I still don't see how Lee can see the infringement... Since when has he been associated with any of these?

June 27th, 2003, 12:07 PM	#8
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	My thought was it was a really, really dumb name for a channel. That doesn't mean it won't be successful, but I wonder if I will keep watching TNN after the name change. You know this bring up another point too, do you think this is nothing more than TNN & Spike Lee stirring things up to gain publicity for their projects? After all hasn't Lee and TNN work on project before? __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

June 27th, 2003, 01:14 PM	#9
Eric Lian Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sonoma County, CA Posts: 61	Any publicity, even bad publicity, is good publicity... especially where the entertainment industry is concerned. The fact is, anyone can sue anybody, for anything, at anytime... Frivilous or not, it's the American way. What we have here is someone who has become a legend in his own mind. He hears the word Spike and thinks it's about him. Well, what about legendary musician, Spike Jones? Or the other Hollywood directory, Spike Jonze? Will Spike Lee be able to interfere with their commercial projects because they use the word "Spike". Will the National Volleyball Association have to embrace the word "Smack" to describe a hard hit ball? Ironically, Spike isn't even Spike Lee's real name. Perhaps I should productize "Eric". Only I can use it - cause I'm in a legend in my own mind. Forget about using the word "America" in anything. It's got "eric" in the middle of it: A.M.E.R.I.C.A. We will now be known as The United States of Ama per my pending lawsuit. God bless our great country. Better use the term USA. United States of Ama might get confusing...

June 27th, 2003, 08:49 PM	#10
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	I like how you can read about the ongoing battles in Entertainment Weekly, but their TV listing still indicates it as SPIKE. Heh heh... Stupid lawsuit from a guy who hasn't made a good movie since DO THE RIGHT THING. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

June 28th, 2003, 03:41 PM	#11
Erik Selakoff Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York, NY Posts: 51	Exactly Heath. I mean, what was the total box office for Lee's last 5 films combined, like $10,000,000.00 worldwide? If that? Spike Lee is a joke & this is one of the more assinine lawsuits in recent memoery. Hence Johnnie Cochrane. I'm just waiting for Al Sharpton to get involved.

June 28th, 2003, 03:51 PM	#12
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Al Sharpton is too busy running for Prez...

June 28th, 2003, 04:50 PM	#13
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Erik. I'm not laying claim to know what Spike Lee's agenda is in the movie business (money or politics or what) but maybe making only $10 mill isn't a big thing if he's making movies he wants to make - can we assume he's just in it for the $$ and failing miserably? I thought Bamboozled was actually a great movie. Sure shot on VX1000's and you could tell but the movie was fine. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Spike Lee defender - I probably couldn't tell him apart in a room full of people (Unless they were all white ;) ) I think Spike does good movies and I like the issues he tackles.99% of the other shite that comes out of Hollywood that makes 10-20x what he makes is just drivel and Spike lee's films wipe the floor with them IMO. Anyway, the lawsuit does sound a bit of a stretch. Anyone have a link to an article on it with some more info? Cheers Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

June 28th, 2003, 05:45 PM	#14
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	It's sad is all, that he's suing. Give me a break; such a great filmmaker. Not as angry as he used to be. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

June 28th, 2003, 05:57 PM	#15
Erik Selakoff Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York, NY Posts: 51	Actually Aaron, with the mentiojn of box-office I was alluding more to the fact that it seems to me that the public has seemingly grown tired of Spike Lee's films. With "Do the Right Thing" I thought Spike had promise but with his opening of "Spike's Joint," his court-side antics and his Nike commercials for Jordan sneakers, (not to mention his last few films, which I won't get into here) I lost more & more respect for him as a person as well as a filmmaker. But when he lambasted the public, particularly African-Americans, for not going out & supporting his films (he was speaking of Bamboozled's relative box-off failure) I lost what little respect I had for him. IMO his latest move is simply a shining example of the kind of person he is (has become???), a publicity whore. He has no more claim to the word "Spike" than I do & this case should not have made it as far as it has.