Filed Date: April 18, 2012
Closed Date: 2013
Clearinghouse coding complete
On April 18, 2012, two African-American men who had unsuccessfully applied to be cast as The Bachelor in the ABC television program of the same name filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division, under § 1981 and Cal. Civ. §§ 51, 51.5 against ABC. The complaint was filed as a class action, with plaintiffs seeking to sue on behalf of the class of all people of color who had unsuccessfully applied to star as either The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, asked the court for declaratory, injunctive, and monetary relief, alleging that they were the victims of ABC's racial discrimination. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that ABC has intentionally and as a matter of corporate policy refused to cast people of color in the role of the Bachelor and Bachelorette for all 23 seasons of the two programs.
On October 15, 2012, the Court (Judge Trauger) dismissed the case with prejudice on the grounds that applying anti-discrimination provisions to casting decisions would threaten the content of various television networks and their ability to target certain demographic groups and that it would chill protected speech.
On November 11, 2012, the plaintiffs moved to alter the judgment and to file an amended complaint. On April 4, 2013, both motions were denied.
Summary Authors
Christopher Schad (5/24/2012)
Katherine Reineck (2/21/2016)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4383458/parties/claybrooks-v-american-broadcasting-companies-inc/
Barrett, George E. (Tennessee)
Best, Zachary W. (District of Columbia)
Bryant, Kenneth M. (Tennessee)
Grubbs, Shelby R. (Tennessee)
Kurtz, Ryan A. (Georgia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4383458/claybrooks-v-american-broadcasting-companies-inc/
Last updated Dec. 18, 2024, 6:26 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Tennessee
Case Type(s):
Public Accommodations/Contracting
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 18, 2012
Closing Date: 2013
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
two African American men who unsuccessfully applied to be cast as The Bachelor in the ABC television program of the same name and, if the class is certified, all people of color who unsuccessfully applied to star in the role The Bachelor or The Bachelorette
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Pending
Defendants
American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., Private Entity/Person
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief: