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Lawsuit claims 'S-Town' exploited John B. McLemore
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:01 pm
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:01 pm
quote:
The suit was filed Thursday in Bibb County by Craig Cargile, acting as the administrator for the estate of John B. McLemore. It names S-Town narrator and creator Brian Reed, Serial Productions, This American Life, Chicago Public Media and others as defendants. "S-Town," which debuted last March, tells the story of McLemore, a clock restorer who lived in Woodstock until he killed himself in 2015. In 2012, McLemore contacted Reed, a producer for "This American Life," about a suspected murder. Reed traveled to Alabama, investigated the case, and carried on a correspondence with McLemore until his death.
quote:
I am simply doing my duty as administrator of the estate of Mr. McLemore," Cargile said in a statement. "I have a duty to protect and preserve the assets of the estate for the benefit of the estate's creditors and other beneficiaries, including Mr. McLemore's mother, who is still living." The 15-page lawsuit cites "S-Town" promotional material that calls the podcast an "unearthing of the mysteries of one man's life." "None of these 'mysteries' are matters of legitimate public concern, nor were these matters that McLemore contacted Reed to investigate or write about," the suit states. "The podcast itself acknowledges that McLemore did not wish certain information conveyed to Reed be publicly known, particularly with respect to McLemore's sexual orientation."
quote:
goes on to say that Reed recorded McLemore's admission that he was considering suicide, but that Reed never told a healthcare provider, law enforcement authority or relative.
LINK
At first galance, it seems just like a good ole fashioned white trash lawsuit but the lawyer might have a point. The last few episodes were just musings about a dead guys sex life.
This post was edited on 7/16/18 at 8:02 pm
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:04 pm to Dire Wolf
Yeah. First episode was great and the second was pretty good, but the rest was garbage.
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:04 pm to Dire Wolf
These investigative podcasts that don’t end up with any answers but just ruins the lives of people they mention and then tarnish the names of other, possibly dead, people to millions, are kinda fricked up.
I’m ok with this
I’m ok with this
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:06 pm to Dire Wolf
First 1-2 episodes were pretty good. I don’t even know how it ends though because I quit after that. It was so bad
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:16 pm to Dire Wolf
John B was a nutcase for sure
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:18 pm to Dire Wolf
Estate staaaccckkedd.
NPR fuuckkkedd.
I’m ok with this.
NPR fuuckkkedd.
I’m ok with this.
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:20 pm to Dire Wolf
quote:I know both lawyers mentioned. Both are good people and not the white trash lawsuit type.
At first galance, it seems just like a good ole fashioned white trash lawsuit but the lawyer might have a point
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:25 pm to Dire Wolf
I just drove by S Town en rt to Atlanta from Meridian. Real life. Show me the money!
I liked the entire (I mean, at least parts of all of the eps) podcast, not from a crime standpoint of course but as a Southern Gothic tale of sorts. The gay shite was way overdone and the thing could've been MUCH shorter.
I liked the entire (I mean, at least parts of all of the eps) podcast, not from a crime standpoint of course but as a Southern Gothic tale of sorts. The gay shite was way overdone and the thing could've been MUCH shorter.
This post was edited on 7/16/18 at 8:28 pm
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:30 pm to Dire Wolf
Singing that dumb song about gay people wrecked his career
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:34 pm to Dire Wolf
The narrator Reed sounded like a major beta throughout the whole thing
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:36 pm to Dire Wolf
I thought the other episodes were pretty good as well
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:36 pm to Dire Wolf
Don't read this if you care about spoilers for S-Town
I really enjoyed the whole series, but that's partly because I know a few people who are connected with the community where it took place.
I'm not sure how I feel about the lawsuit, or if it has any merit, but the last few episodes did feel voyeuristic. John and the guy doing the podcast certainly seemed to bond, but John originally contacted him to help investigate a (alleged) murder, not to reveal details of his own life he didn't share with many people. John was not in any sense a public figure, and I don't know what permissions he gave the reporter to talk about his private life.
For those who didn't get to the end, the podcaster theorizes that a lot of John's stranger behaviors (like the relentless negativity and focus on the decline of civilization) were due to his work with mercury, which will cause brain damage.
End spoilers
The big takeaway from S-Town is that every adult needs an up to date and legally airtight will. Do not assume that any verbal agreements or statements about what you want done with your property or family after your death will be honored.
I really enjoyed the whole series, but that's partly because I know a few people who are connected with the community where it took place.
I'm not sure how I feel about the lawsuit, or if it has any merit, but the last few episodes did feel voyeuristic. John and the guy doing the podcast certainly seemed to bond, but John originally contacted him to help investigate a (alleged) murder, not to reveal details of his own life he didn't share with many people. John was not in any sense a public figure, and I don't know what permissions he gave the reporter to talk about his private life.
For those who didn't get to the end, the podcaster theorizes that a lot of John's stranger behaviors (like the relentless negativity and focus on the decline of civilization) were due to his work with mercury, which will cause brain damage.
End spoilers
The big takeaway from S-Town is that every adult needs an up to date and legally airtight will. Do not assume that any verbal agreements or statements about what you want done with your property or family after your death will be honored.
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:37 pm to Dire Wolf
How does this effect the estate? The guy willingly and knowingly participated in an audio show.
Is there a requirement to contact authorities when someone threatens suicide? Is this a crime? He’s not a healthcare professional, and he didn’t threaten others.
Still seems like a white trash lawsuit to me. The show may seem unnecessary and not in the best interest of JBM, but I’m not sure it crossed any lines or impacted the estate.
Is there a requirement to contact authorities when someone threatens suicide? Is this a crime? He’s not a healthcare professional, and he didn’t threaten others.
Still seems like a white trash lawsuit to me. The show may seem unnecessary and not in the best interest of JBM, but I’m not sure it crossed any lines or impacted the estate.
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:47 pm to TulaneUVA
quote:
Hrm...
I fortunately hit a dead end with the genealogy. Have to be related given the region and name. But I'll leave it to mystery. (and maybe denial.)
Posted on 7/16/18 at 8:50 pm to LSUtigerME
quote:
How does this effect the estate?
quote:
Rich Raleigh, an attorney for the estate's administrator, said the suit stems from the state's Right of Publicity Act, which prevents use of voice, name or other characteristics of a person without their permission.
"Apparently they did not obtain any sort of written release or assignment from Mr. McLemore before airing this podcast, which I find very surprising especially considering the sensitive nature of some of the subjects covered in it," Raleigh said.
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