Royal Pains
Encyclopedia
Royal Pains is a USA Network
television series that premiered on June 4, 2009, starring Mark Feuerstein
, Paulo Costanzo
, Jill Flint
and Reshma Shetty
. The series is based in part on actual concierge medicine
practices of independent doctors and companies. The series was renewed for a fourth season by USA Network on September 15, 2011.
being the most prominent. Although actually located 60 miles to the west, in Huntington
, Oheka served as the Hamptons home of Boris, the German nobleman who offers his guest house to Hank and Evan. In later episodes, exterior and aerial shots of Oheka are used to introduce scenes in the guest house.
In one episode, a Long Beach
drive-thru convenience store, Dairy Barn
was used as a fictional hot dog stand ; a sign can be seen in the opening of that scene. Also, several scenes were shot on the bay side of Point Lookout
. Other places used as fictional Hamptons locations include Northport Village
in the Town of Huntington, Old Westbury Gardens
, Freeport
's Nautical Mile, which served as the exterior and parking lot of Hampton Heritage Hospital (in one scene, Freeport's charter coat can be seen across the bay) Caumsett State Historic Park
and Oyster Bay Town Hall, which was transformed into the entrance of the Hamptons Heritage Hospital emergency room. Catalina Beach Club in Atlantic Beach, New York was transformed for the pilot episode into the fictional Hampt Inn, the hotel Hank and Evan stayed in upon their arrival in the Hamptons.
Two episodes of the second season take place in Cuba
, but were filmed in Puerto Rico
.
, New York
in the spring and fall of 2008. The pilot was directed by Jace Alexander
, who also filmed the pilot of Burn Notice
, another USA Network show, which airs in the hour before Royal Pains. Andrew Lenchewski wrote the pilot and Rich and Paul Frank executive produced the project, with Lenchewski co-executive producing and John P. Rogers producing. The series was then picked up for a 12-episode season. On Feb. 24, 2011, the show completed its second season.
The theme song is "Independence" by the Danish band The Blue Van
.
since Psych
in 2006. With episodes two and three watched by 5.59 million viewers and 6.5 million, respectively, it was the first show in five years to have viewership increase from week two to week three.
released the first season of Royal Pains in Region 1 on May 25, 2010, and released it in Region 4 on August 25, 2010. Season Two was released in Region 1 on May 17, 2011. Episodes are also available on iTunes.
, the actor best known for his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the Star Wars saga
, and his older brother, Tove, filed a lawsuit against the USA Network in a Manhattan Federal Court
. In the suit, the brothers claimed to have pitched an idea for a new television series to the USA Network, called "Housecall", which involved a concierge doctor who made house calls to the rich and famous. The two brothers also claimed that a USA Network executive told them that, "prior to learning about 'Housecall,' he was unaware of concierge doctors and that he thought it was a fascinating idea." A USA Network spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit.
On May 10, 2011, a Manhattan judge ruled that there was not enough evidence to justify a breach-of-contract claim because the claim concerns "materials that are not copyrightable, such as ideas.” The brothers' lawyer stated that the pair plan to appeal the decision.
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
television series that premiered on June 4, 2009, starring Mark Feuerstein
Mark Feuerstein
-Career:Feuerstein got his break-through on television as a recurring character on the daytime soap opera Loving. When director Nancy Meyers was casting What Women Want, her daughter recognized Feuerstein from Practical Magic and insisted that her mother cast him...
, Paulo Costanzo
Paulo Costanzo
Paulo Costanzo is a Canadian actor, who is best known for his roles in the 2000 comedy Road Trip, the sitcom Joey, which ran from 2004 to 2006, and as Evan R. Lawson in the current USA Network series Royal Pains....
, Jill Flint
Jill Flint
Jill Flint is an American actress, best known for her role of Jill Casey in USA Network's series Royal Pains.-Career:Flint has appeared in several feature films, most recently in Cadillac Records with Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright and Beyonce Knowles, and The Women, alongside stars Meg Ryan, Annette...
and Reshma Shetty
Reshma Shetty
-Education:Shetty was born to Indian parents and was raised in England and Richmond, Virginia. She originally studied pre-med at James Madison University, but success in vocal competitions prompted her to switch majors and graduate with a B.A. in opera performance...
. The series is based in part on actual concierge medicine
Concierge medicine
Concierge medicine is a relationship between a patient and a primary care physician in which the patient pays an annual fee or retainer. This may or may not be in addition to other charges. In exchange for the retainer, doctors provide enhanced care...
practices of independent doctors and companies. The series was renewed for a fourth season by USA Network on September 15, 2011.
Series synopsis
The series follows Hank Lawson, a young emergency room doctor who, after being wrongly blamed for an important patient's death, moves to the Hamptons and becomes a reluctant "doctor for hire" to the rich and famous. When the administrator of the local hospital asks him to treat the town's less fortunate, he finds himself walking the line between doing well for himself and doing good for others.Cast and characters
- Henry "Hank" Lawson (Mark FeuersteinMark Feuerstein-Career:Feuerstein got his break-through on television as a recurring character on the daytime soap opera Loving. When director Nancy Meyers was casting What Women Want, her daughter recognized Feuerstein from Practical Magic and insisted that her mother cast him...
): Formerly a successful New York E.R. doctor, he was dismissed from his job after a wealthy hospital benefactor died in his care. When he saves someone's life during a trip to The Hamptons, he accepts an offer from Boris, a German nobleman, to remain as a "concierge doctor" in the resort community. He usually attends wealthy clientele, but also others in need of care and often without the means to pay. According to the episode "Keeping the Faith", he and his brother are Jewish. - Evan R. Lawson (Paulo CostanzoPaulo CostanzoPaulo Costanzo is a Canadian actor, who is best known for his roles in the 2000 comedy Road Trip, the sitcom Joey, which ran from 2004 to 2006, and as Evan R. Lawson in the current USA Network series Royal Pains....
): Hank's younger brother. He is an accountant and self-appointed CFOChief financial officerThe chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
of HankMed. Evan's job is to promote the HankMed business, at times using strategies that Hank finds inappropriate or too commercial. He is involved with Paige, the daughter of a wealthy, conservative military man who is not sure Evan is the right man for his daughter. - Jill Casey (Jill FlintJill FlintJill Flint is an American actress, best known for her role of Jill Casey in USA Network's series Royal Pains.-Career:Flint has appeared in several feature films, most recently in Cadillac Records with Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright and Beyonce Knowles, and The Women, alongside stars Meg Ryan, Annette...
): Hank's on again/off again girlfriend and an administrator at Hamptons Heritage, the local hospital. Jill works with Hank to open a small clinic while running the local community hospital. Jill is torn between her life in The Hamptons and the desire to return to work she did with an aid organization. - Divya Katdare (Reshma ShettyReshma Shetty-Education:Shetty was born to Indian parents and was raised in England and Richmond, Virginia. She originally studied pre-med at James Madison University, but success in vocal competitions prompted her to switch majors and graduate with a B.A. in opera performance...
): Hank's Physician AssistantPhysician assistantA physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
. She joins the team early and is invaluable to Hank. She initially has to keep her medical career a secret from her parents. Forced by her parents into an arranged betrothal to a childhood friend, she has finally broken free of their control and is living on her own.
Recurring characters
- Boris Kuester von Jurgens-Ratenicz (Campbell ScottCampbell ScottCampbell Scott is an American actor, director, producer, and voice artist.-Life and career:Scott was born in New York City, the son of George C. Scott, an actor, director, and producer, and Colleen Dewhurst, a Canadian-born actress. He graduated from Lawrence University in 1983. His brother is...
): A wealthy and titled German businessman who offers Hank and Evan his guest house, and is Hank's first client. Boris has a genetic disease he is determined will die with him, and which he fights with equal determination, often by seeking rare or risky treatments. Used to getting what he wants, Boris has a rigid code of conduct, which can at times put him at odds with Hank. - Eddie R. Lawson (Henry WinklerHenry WinklerHenry Franklin Winkler, OBE is an American actor, director, producer, and author.Winkler is best known for his role as Fonzie on the 1970s American sitcom Happy Days...
): Hank and Evan's loving, ne'er-do-well father who left the boys when they were young. Accused of embezzlement, Eddie served a short term in prison and is now on parole, and has begun to rebuild his relationship with his sons. - Paige Collins (Brooke D'OrsayBrooke D'OrsayBrooke D'Orsay is a Canadian actress and voice actress best known for her role as Caitlin Cooke on the animated Canadian series 6teen and on King's Ransom as Brooke Mayo. She was recently in the Nickelodeon movie The Boy Who Cried Werewolf as Paulina Von Eckberg.-Early life:D'Orsay was born in...
): Evan's girlfriend, to whom he has recently proposed. Paige is the daughter of a wealthy, conservative former military officer with political aspirations who does not think Evan is good enough for his daughter. Paige and Evan meet when she hires him to play her pretend boyfriend, but their pretend relationship soon blossoms into a real one. Evan has suspicions that she may be dating other men. - Dr. Emily Peck (Anastasia GriffithAnastasia GriffithAnastasia Griffith is a British actress known for her roles on the FX legal drama Damages and the NBC series Trauma.-Career:...
): A self-assured rival doctor who works with (and becomes briefly involved with) Hank. Emily is hired to substitute for Hank while Hank makes an extended visit to Cuba with Boris, and soon comes into conflict with Divya because of her confidence and her detached approach to her patients.
Location
Principal production of the show's pilot occurred in the Hamptons. However, other locations throughout Long Island were used, with Oheka CastleOheka Castle
Oheka Castle, also known as the Otto Kahn Estate, is located on the Gold Coast of Long Island, in Huntington, New York. It was the country home of financier and philanthropist Otto Kahn. Built by Kahn between 1914 and 1919, it was and remains the second largest private home in the United States,...
being the most prominent. Although actually located 60 miles to the west, in Huntington
Huntington, New York
The Town of Huntington is one of ten towns in Suffolk County, New York, USA. Founded in 1653, it is located on the north shore of Long Island in northwestern Suffolk County, with Long Island Sound to its north and Nassau County adjacent to the west. Huntington is part of the New York metropolitan...
, Oheka served as the Hamptons home of Boris, the German nobleman who offers his guest house to Hank and Evan. In later episodes, exterior and aerial shots of Oheka are used to introduce scenes in the guest house.
In one episode, a Long Beach
Long Beach, New York
Long Beach is a city in Nassau County, New York. Just south of Long Island, it is located on Long Beach Barrier Island, which is the westernmost of the outer barrier islands off Long Island's South Shore. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 33,275...
drive-thru convenience store, Dairy Barn
Dairy Barn
Dairy Barn is a chain of regional convenience stores located in Long Island, New York, with headquarters in East Northport.The stores are distinguished by their drive-through feature and their red barn appearance with little red silo....
was used as a fictional hot dog stand ; a sign can be seen in the opening of that scene. Also, several scenes were shot on the bay side of Point Lookout
Point Lookout, New York
Point Lookout is a hamlet located in the town Hempstead in Nassau County, New York. The population was 1,219 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
. Other places used as fictional Hamptons locations include Northport Village
Northport, New York
Northport is a village in Suffolk County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the village population was 7,606. Students attend the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District....
in the Town of Huntington, Old Westbury Gardens
Old Westbury Gardens
Old Westbury Gardens is the former estate of John Shaffer Phipps , heir to a U.S. Steel fortune, in Nassau County, New York. It has been open to the public for tours since 1959....
, Freeport
Freeport, New York
Freeport is a village in the town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, USA, on the South Shore of Long Island. The population was 42,860 at the 2010 census. A settlement since the 1640s, it was once an oystering community and later a resort popular with the New York City theater community...
's Nautical Mile, which served as the exterior and parking lot of Hampton Heritage Hospital (in one scene, Freeport's charter coat can be seen across the bay) Caumsett State Historic Park
Caumsett State Historic Park
Caumsett State Historic Park is on Lloyd Neck, a peninsula extending into Long Island Sound, in the village of Lloyd Harbor, New York. Lloyd Neck was originally part of Queens County, New York....
and Oyster Bay Town Hall, which was transformed into the entrance of the Hamptons Heritage Hospital emergency room. Catalina Beach Club in Atlantic Beach, New York was transformed for the pilot episode into the fictional Hampt Inn, the hotel Hank and Evan stayed in upon their arrival in the Hamptons.
Two episodes of the second season take place in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, but were filmed in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
Production
The pilot was filmed on location on Long IslandLong Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the spring and fall of 2008. The pilot was directed by Jace Alexander
Jace Alexander
Jace Alexander is an American television director and former actor.-Biography:Alexander was born Jason Alexander in New York City, the only son of actress Jane Alexander and her first husband Robert, founder and former director of The Living Stage...
, who also filmed the pilot of Burn Notice
Burn notice
A burn notice is an official statement issued by one intelligence agency to other agencies. It states that an individual or a group is unreliable for one or more reasons...
, another USA Network show, which airs in the hour before Royal Pains. Andrew Lenchewski wrote the pilot and Rich and Paul Frank executive produced the project, with Lenchewski co-executive producing and John P. Rogers producing. The series was then picked up for a 12-episode season. On Feb. 24, 2011, the show completed its second season.
The theme song is "Independence" by the Danish band The Blue Van
The Blue Van
The Blue Van are a blues-rock band from Denmark consisting of Steffen Westmark , Søren Christensen , Allan Villadsen , and Per Jørgensen .-History:...
.
Reception
Royal Pains has become one of the highest rated shows on cable. The series premiere was watched by 5.57 million viewers, the highest series premiere for the USA NetworkUSA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
since Psych
Psych
Psych is an American detective comedy-drama television series created by Steve Franks and broadcast on USA Network. It stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department whose "heightened observational skills" and impressive detective instincts...
in 2006. With episodes two and three watched by 5.59 million viewers and 6.5 million, respectively, it was the first show in five years to have viewership increase from week two to week three.
Ratings
| Season | Episodes | Original Airing | Viewers (in millions) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Premiere | Season Finale | |||
| 1 | 12 | June 4, 2009 | August 27, 2009 | 5.97 |
| 2 | 18 | June 3, 2010 | February 24, 2011 | |
| 3 | 18 | June 29, 2011 | Winter 2012 | |
DVD releases
Universal Studios Home EntertainmentUniversal Studios Home Entertainment
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is the home video division of Universal Pictures...
released the first season of Royal Pains in Region 1 on May 25, 2010, and released it in Region 4 on August 25, 2010. Season Two was released in Region 1 on May 17, 2011. Episodes are also available on iTunes.
| Title | Region 1 | Region 4 | Bonus Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season One | May 25, 2010 | August 25, 2010 | Deleted Scenes; Gag Reel; Commentary; Paulo's Video Blogs; Dr. Irv Danesh: The Real Doctor of Royal Pains; High Top Fade Out (Psych Psych Psych is an American detective comedy-drama television series created by Steve Franks and broadcast on USA Network. It stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department whose "heightened observational skills" and impressive detective instincts... , episode 4.07) |
| Season Two | May 17, 2011 | Deleted Scenes; Gag Reel; Commentary; Guest Starring; Location, Location, Location |
Novel series
Beginning in 2011, D.P. Lyle began publishing a book series based on the television series, under Signet Books' Obsidian imprint.| Title | Author | ISBN | Publication date |
|---|---|---|---|
| First, Do No Harm | D.P. Lyle, M.D. | June 7, 2011 | |
| Sick Rich | January 3, 2012 |
International distribution
| International market | Broadcaster | Season premiere | Local title (if different) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| , Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... ,, |
Universal Channel Universal Channel (Asia) Universal Channel is a television channel specializing in movies and television series in the thriller, drama, comedy, crime and investigation genres. It is owned by NBC Universal Global Networks... , |
2 | ||
| , Singapore Singapore Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the... , |
STAR World STAR World STAR World is an Asian English language cable and satellite television network owned by Star TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation. The channel is the successor of STAR Plus, a subsidiary of News Corporation... , |
3 | ||
| Joi Joi (TV channel) Joi is an Italian Entertainment TV channel, owned by Mediaset and broadcast on Premium Gallery, a Digital terrestrial television service in Italy. It is devoted to Family entertainment and broadcasts Movie and TV Series... ; Italia 1 Italia 1 Italia 1 is an Italian commercial television channel on the Mediaset network. It is oriented especially at young people.Italia 1 was launched in January 1982 and, originally, was owned by Rusconi; after a few months, however, due to the aggressive dumping practices of Silvio Berlusconi's rival... |
1 | ; | ||
| Joi Joi (TV channel) Joi is an Italian Entertainment TV channel, owned by Mediaset and broadcast on Premium Gallery, a Digital terrestrial television service in Italy. It is devoted to Family entertainment and broadcasts Movie and TV Series... |
2 | |||
| Paramount Comedy Paramount Comedy Paramount Comedy is a 24-hour Spanish cable television and satellite television comedy channel available in Spain. It is owned by MTV Networks Europe and Viacom. In other parts of the world, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy, the channel is known as Comedy Central... |
1 | |||
| Paramount Comedy Paramount Comedy Paramount Comedy is a 24-hour Spanish cable television and satellite television comedy channel available in Spain. It is owned by MTV Networks Europe and Viacom. In other parts of the world, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy, the channel is known as Comedy Central... |
2 | |||
| TVP 1 TVP 1 TVP1 is a television channel owned by TVP , Poland's national public broadcaster... |
2 | Bananowy doktor | ||
 Australia AustraliaAustralia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
Seven Network Seven Network The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach... |
1 | ||
| 2 | ||||
| TV1 TV1 (Australia) TV1 is an Australian cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television's subscription platforms.-History:TV1 launched as part of the original Galaxy lineup. The channel is jointly owned by Sony International Television, Universal Studios and Paramount. The channel shows... |
1 | |||
| Sony Entertainment Television (Portugal) Sony Entertainment Television (Portugal) Sony Entertainment Television in Portugal is a television channel operated by Sony Pictures Television International Networks Iberia. Its programming is basically focused on television series and movies. The channel was launched in Portugal on April 14, 2008, as part of the meo and Optimus Clix TV... |
1 | Mágoas de Grandeza | ||
| Sony Entertainment Television Sony Entertainment Television Sony Entertainment Television is a series of general entertainment television channels, owned by Sony Pictures Television. At least 9 International versions of this channel exist:*Sony Entertainment Television Asia... |
1 | |||
| Sony Entertainment Television Sony Entertainment Television Sony Entertainment Television is a series of general entertainment television channels, owned by Sony Pictures Television. At least 9 International versions of this channel exist:*Sony Entertainment Television Asia... |
1 | |||
| Star Channel Star Channel Star Channel is a Greek television network that broadcasts a mix of foreign and Greek programming. It launched in December 1993 and is owned by Nea Tileorasi A.E.. The main news bulletin is called Star Eidiseis, which is currently hosted by Aimilios Liatsos... |
1 | |||
| Universal Channel Universal Channel Universal Channel is a television channel specializing in movies and television series in the thriller, drama, comedy, horror, crime and investigation genres, owned by Universal Networks International, a division of NBCUniversal and available on satellite and cable platforms... |
1 | |||
| Universal Channel (UK) | 2 | |||
| 2nd Avenue | 1 | |||
| Yes Stars Drama | 1 | |||
| WOWOW WOWOW WOWOW was the first private satellite broadcasting and pay TV station in Japan. It has its headquarters on the 21st floor of the Akasaka Park Building in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo... |
1 | kyumeii hanku: serebu shinryo fairu (Emergency M.D. Hank: Celebrity Medical Files) |
||
| Nova Television | 1 | Houscall Doctor (Доктор на повикване) | ||
| Canal+ Canal+ Canal+ is a French premium pay television channel launched in 1984. It is 80% owned by the Canal+ Group, which in turn is owned by Vivendi SA. The channel broadcasts several kinds of programming, mostly encrypted... |
1 | |||
| Viasat 4 Viasat 4 Viasat 4 is a television channel broadcasting to Norway owned by the Modern Times Group. The channel was launched on 8th September 2007, a week after the launch of the digital terrestrial television network in Norway, replacing ZTV which ceased broadcasting shortly before.The channel opened with... |
1 | |||
| TV 3 TV3 (Denmark) TV3 Denmark is a Danish television station.TV3 is one of the channels owned by the Viasat Corporation. The sister channel is TV3+. The channels shows a lot of American and British shows, such as: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, NCIS, Las Vegas, Bones, Two And A Half Men, Prison Break, American Idol... |
1 | |||
| POP BRIO | 1 | Dr. De Luxe | ||
| TV 6 | 1 | |||
| STAR World STAR World STAR World is an Asian English language cable and satellite television network owned by Star TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation. The channel is the successor of STAR Plus, a subsidiary of News Corporation... |
2 | |||
| Fox Life Fox Life Fox Life is a television network, launched by the Fox Broadcasting Company, which airs across Latin America, Europe and Japan . Its basic programming include numerous television series, sitcoms and movies, among others, which includes some original programming in certain regions... |
1 | Lekar po porudzbini | ||
| MTV3 MTV3 MTV3 is a Finnish commercial television station owned by Bonnier. It had the biggest audience share of all Finnish TV channels until Finnish Broadcasting Company’s YLE1 took the lead. The letters MTV stand for Mainos-TV , due to the channel getting its revenue from running commercials... |
1 | Kallista kipua (Expensive Pain) | ||
| RTL RTL Television Rtl.de' redirects here. For other uses, see RTL.RTL Television , or simply RTL, is a German commercial television station distributed via cable and satellite along with DVB-T , in larger population centres... |
1 | |||
 Switzerland |
SF 2 | 1 | ||
 Belgium |
2BE 2BE 2BE may refer to:* 2BE Belfast, an Irish radio station* 2BE , a commercial TV channel in Flanders* 2BE , the former call sign of radio station 2EC in Bega, New South Wales, Australia... |
1 | ||
Legal issues
On July 6, 2010, Hayden ChristensenHayden Christensen
Hayden Christensen is a Canadian actor. He appeared in Canadian television programs when he was young, then diversified into American television in the late 1990s. He moved on to minor acting roles before being praised for his role of Sam in Life as a House, for which he was nominated for a Golden...
, the actor best known for his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the Star Wars saga
Star Wars Saga
Star Wars Saga may refer to:* The Star Wars media franchise created by George Lucas, including films, novels, television series, video games, and comic books....
, and his older brother, Tove, filed a lawsuit against the USA Network in a Manhattan Federal Court
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is a federal district court. Appeals from the Southern District of New York are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (in case...
. In the suit, the brothers claimed to have pitched an idea for a new television series to the USA Network, called "Housecall", which involved a concierge doctor who made house calls to the rich and famous. The two brothers also claimed that a USA Network executive told them that, "prior to learning about 'Housecall,' he was unaware of concierge doctors and that he thought it was a fascinating idea." A USA Network spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit.
On May 10, 2011, a Manhattan judge ruled that there was not enough evidence to justify a breach-of-contract claim because the claim concerns "materials that are not copyrightable, such as ideas.” The brothers' lawyer stated that the pair plan to appeal the decision.