Octo-Mom OKs Deal for Kids to Appear on Reality Show
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Matt Mitovich
TV Guide
Octo-Mom Nadya Suleman has inked deals for each of her 14 children to appear on a reality TV series.
Contracts signed and filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday net the collective brood about $250,000 over three years — or $250-a-day per kid, says The Associated Press.
The contracts, which now require a judge's approval, call for the kids to collect $125,000 for 36 days of shooting in the first year, $75,000 for 21 days in the second year, and $50,000 for 14 days in the third year.
If the workload seems a bit "light" — at least in comparison to what Jon, Kate and their brood take on — that's by design. Suleman's attorney has said that her "quasi-reality" series will focus on select milestones in the children's lives, as part of a concerted effort to be less intrusive and to deviate from Jon & Kate Plus 8's everyday-living style.
The Suleman series will likely air first in Britain before playing in the United States, it was previously reported.
"Octomom" – that nickname is mine!
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/15/art.octomomgame.jpg caption="A Texas company not affiliated with Nadya Suleman has filed to trademark an Octomom iPhone game." width=292 height=320]
Alan Duke
CNN Wires Entertainment Writer
The woman who gave birth to octuplets - Nadya Suleman - is seeking to trademark her media nickname - Octomom - for a TV show and a line of diapers.
Word of Suleman's federal trademark filings came as her lawyer confirmed he is talking to production companies about a TV show, but said reports of a signed deal are premature.
Suleman, who gave birth to octuplets in January, brought home the last and smallest of the eight Monday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
But she is not the only one to claim a trademark on the nickname. A Texas company not affiliated with her has filed to trademark an Octomom iPhone game.
"You press on her belly and she has babies," the company's CEO said.
One of Suleman's lawyers filed her trademark applications last Friday with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, according to the documents. In the application the word is spelled "OctoMom," with a capital M.
One trademark would cover OctoMom disposable and textile diapers, dresses, pants and shirts.
The other application would give Suleman the trademark OctoMom for "entertainment in the nature of on-going television programs in the field of varity." The last word - "varity" - may have been intended to read "variety."
Suleman lawyer Jeff Czech downplayed a Life & Style magazine report that Suleman had signed with a British film company to produce six shows a year about her family over the next 18 years.
Population explosion in the freezer
Ellen Goodman
The Boston Globe
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I hate to revisit Nadya Suleman, the woman so charmingly dubbed "octomom" by the tabloids. Especially now when she's busy chatting with Dr. Phil, raising money on her website, and preparing to move with 14 children into a new $565,000 shoe, excuse me, house.
But there is a reason for all of us to be grateful to octomom. She has created a consensus where none existed. We now know exactly what should not be done with the leftover embryos languishing in fertility clinic freezers. They should not be given to Nadya.
Sully could have delivered those octuplets in his sleep
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/02/09/art.split.jolie.octomom.jpg caption="Nadya Suleman, mother of the octuplets, and Angelina Jolie."]
Jack Gray
AC360° Associate Producer
I can hear the Octuplet Mom screaming at her television set now. Damn you, Sully Sullenberger, how dare you and your neatly trimmed mustache encroach on my morning show turf. Indeed, the broadcast networks presented us with an exciting dichotomy today.
On ABC and CBS, the hero US Airways pilot who saved 155 lives without breaking a sweat. On NBC, the woman who says that she will, in fact, be able to care for her 14 children…as soon as she goes back to school and they get full-time jobs.
As for Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III, he’s back in New York for the aforementioned round of television interviews, including one tomorrow night with Larry King. I can picture it now. “Good to meet you Captain Sullenberger.”
“Please, Larry, (gives him the two-handed handshake, looks him in the eye and pauses a beat) call me Sully.” By then I’m hoping Sully will be channeling 50 Cent and wearing his Key to the City on a gold chain around his neck.
Mr. President, the octuplets' publicist is on the line
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Jack Gray
AC360° Associate Producer
Well, the party is over. President Obama wants a $500,000 annual salary cap for Wall Street executives who have been bailed out by taxpayers. Is he serious? I mean, what the heck is someone supposed to do with a measly $500,000? I spend more than that on temporary tattoos.
I assume you saw Anderson’s interview with President Obama yesterday. I had to stay here in New York. Apparently, despite the new administration, my ban from The White House is still in effect. It’s a long story but take my advice: If Rosalynn Carter ever challenges you to a beer pong tournament in the East Room, just keep on walking.
Anyway, I watched Anderson’s interview, as well as those conducted by Charlie Gibson, Brian Williams, Katie Couric and Chris Wallace, on a closed circuit feed as it happened. And while the others were strong, I must say that Anderson’s was the best. And I’m not just saying that in the hopes that he’ll give me back my Planet Hollywood jacket. He was tough, fair and, to his credit, he rejected my suggestion of taunting the president with a lit Marlboro and an innocent “this doesn’t bother you, does it?” when asking if he had quit smoking.
The president continues to dominate the headlines today but he’d better watch out because – it was only a matter of time – the woman who had those octuplets (a term so out of place in society that even Microsoft Word doesn’t recognize it) in California has retained herself a publicist. Of course. It’s right there in all the parenting books. Blankets, diapers, publicist. Don’t forget the bassinet and personal trainer.
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