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Bunim/Murray

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Bunim/Murray Productions
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1987;37 years ago(1987)
Founders
Headquarters
Glendale,California
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Julie Pizzi
  • Farnaz Farjam
OwnerBanijay
ParentBanijay Americas
Websitewww.bunim-murray.com
Footnotes / references
[1]

Bunim/Murray Productionsis an Americanentertainmentproduction companybased out ofGlendale, Californiaand owned by Frenchtelevisionmedia conglomerateBanijaysince 25 March 2010.[2]Considered as a pioneer in thereality televisiongenre with local hit programs likeThe Real World,Road RulesandBad Girls Club,it was founded in 1987 byMary-Ellis BunimandJonathan Murrayafter an agent named Mark Itkin of theWilliam Morris Agencyput the two together to develop a scriptedsoap operaforMTV.When that was too expensive, they decided to try an unscripted soap andThe Real Worldwas born. "We knew within 20 minutes of shooting that we had a show," Bunim said.[3]The company has expanded intomusic management,managing thepop punk/emobandA Cursive Memory.

The company's initial success was on the creation ofThe Real World.Attempts at scripted series, includingJam Bay,a show that would have co-produced withUniversal TelevisionforABC,never went past the pilot stage.[4]On June 28, 1999, the company attempted to enter into the syndication business, by planning on to partner withColumbia TriStar Television Distributionto launch a reality stripLove Hurts.[5]In 2001, Bunim/Murray partnered with Artists Television Group, on the unaired WB television showLost in the USA,but it was cancelled and it was hit with a $1 million lawsuit.[6]On December 16, 2002, the company announced that they would partner with film studio New Line Cinema on the company's only theatrical project,The Real Cancun.[7]

Current television shows[edit]

Past television shows[edit]

Films and documentaries[edit]

Sexual assault controversy[edit]

In October 2011, two years afterReal World/Road Rules Challenge: The Ruinsaired, contestantTonya Cooleyfiled a lawsuit against fellow contestantsKenny Santucciand Evan Starkman,MTV,and Bunim/Murray Productions, claiming that she was sexually assaulted during filming. Cooley claimed in the lawsuit that Santucci and Starkman inserted a toothbrush into her vaginal canal while she was passed out from heavy drinking, and stated that she was subjected to an environment in which degrading and harassing behavior was directed at female contestants, including bathing suits stripped off their bodies. A representative for Bunim/Murray said that "after a thorough investigation, we have found Tonya Cooley’s claims to be completely baseless."[8]Cooley also alleged that the show's producers encouraged and rewarded such behavior, and that when she raised concerns she was told to "just deal with it." A representative forViacomblamed Cooley for the alleged assault against her, stating in court that "in addition to failing to avail herself of VMN's policies and complaint procedures, Plaintiff failed to avoid the injuries of which she complains. For example, while she was a contestant onThe Ruins,Plaintiff was frequently intoxicated (to an extent far greater than other contestants), rowdy, combative, flirtatious and on multiple occasions intentionally exposed her bare breasts and genitalia to other contestants. "The lawsuit was settled out of court one year later.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Bunim Murray".Bunim/Murray.Retrieved3 January2020.
  2. ^Schneider, Michael (25 March 2010)."Bunim-Murray acquired by Banijay; 'Real World' producer bought out by French co".Daily Variety.Retrieved10 June2010.
  3. ^Albiniak, Paige (2 February 2004)."Real World Creator Bunim Dies at 57".Broadcasting & Cable.Retrieved24 July2018.
  4. ^"U TV stays committed to drama".Variety.1995-05-01.Retrieved2021-12-22.
  5. ^Schlosser, Joe (1999-06-28)."The skinny on syndie"(PDF).Broadcasting.p. 6.Retrieved2021-12-22.
  6. ^Shprintz, Janet; Schneider, Michael (2001-09-30)."WB sues Ovitz's ATG over 'Lost' $1 million".Variety.Retrieved2021-12-22.
  7. ^Fleming, Michael (2002-12-17)."New Line takes a 'Break'".Variety.Retrieved2021-12-22.
  8. ^McKay, Hollie (November 4, 2011)."Tonya Cooley 'Confused and Frightened' After Alleged Sexual Assault on MTV Show, Source Says".Fox News.RetrievedFebruary 13,2018.
  9. ^Gardner, Eriq (October 24, 2012)."MTV Settles Lawsuit With 'Real World' Cast Member Who Alleged Rape (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedFebruary 13,2018.

External links[edit]

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