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Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial
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Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial -
Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial -
Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial -
Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial -
Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial -
Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial -
Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial -
Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial -
Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial -
Ashton Kutcher "Punk'd" Suit Heads To Trial
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JANUARY 23--"Punk'd" may be MTV's most popular show, but the network's lawyers are trying to distance themselves from the program as they prepare to defend a negligence lawsuit brought against Ashton Kutcher and his band of hidden camera pranksters. As we've previously reported, a Washington, D.C. couple is seeking millions in damages in connection with a January 2002 incident at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. After James and Laurie Ryan checked into a suite, the pair discovered what appeared to be a murder victim lying on the floor, covered in blood. At the time, the Ryans were unaware they were being filmed for an MTV pilot called "Harassment," hosted and produced by Kutcher. Though "Harassment" never aired, it wasn't long before Kutcher, 25, was back with the notorious "Punk'd," an almost identical hidden camera show. But MTV lawyers have argued (see below) that the two shows had nothing to do with each other and any mention of "Punk'd" would be "unduly prejudicial" to the network. The Ryans should not be allowed to "bootstrap their claims to the notoriety surrounding a different show," MTV argued in a motion filed last month in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. But the network's bid to preclude "Punk'd" failed. In a December 30 order, Judge Terry Hatter ruled that he would not limit the Ryans from attempting to introduce evidence regarding the hit program--and the shared lineage of the two shows. The similarities in the two Kutcher productions can be seen in this January 2002 e-mail (written by an MTV executive) describing some "Harassment" pranks planned for the Hard Rock. But Hatter has barred any references to other TV and movie roles played by Kutcher that depict "irresponsible, slapstick or goofy characters." We're not sure what would then be left in the actor's oeuvre to discuss. (10 pages)
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