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America's Got Talent -- and a Legal Mess

Posted Jul 17th 2006 7:34PM by TMZ Staff

Jeff BeacherNBC's summer hit "America's Got Talent" has crossed the legal line, according to Jeff Beacher, a Las Vegas show creator and host

TMZ obtained a cease and desist letter sent to Fremantle Productions, Inc., which produces "America's Got Talent." The letter claims that a contestant on the show -- Leonid Filatov who plays "Leonid the Magnificant" and "Silver Man" in the Vegas Show, Beacher's Madhouse -- was plucked from stage production, which is performed regularly at the Hard Rock Hotel.

According to the letter, a rep from Fremantle who was booking talent for the show contacted Beacher's Madhouse and said, "Our show starts in 4 weeks and quite honestly, although we have seen some A List talent, I'm still short about another 20 hot acts for this competion." The rep then allegedly said: "Las Vegas is my last stop. Either I find it there, or I get fired."



According to the letter, Beacher's Madhouse allowed Filatov to compete on "America's Got Talent," provided that he would still be permitted to perform in the Vegas production. The letter states that Filatov appeared on the NBC show as "Leonid the Magnificant" but producers made him sign an agreement prohibiting him from performing in Beacher's Madhouse.

The cease and desist letter claims Fremantle violated it's agreement with Beacher's Madhouse.

A separate cease and desist letter was sent to Leonid Filatov, claiming he has no right to use the name and costume of "Leonid the Magnificant" anymore. The letter also demands that Filatov return his costumes, STAT.

An NBC spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

Click to read the documents
Cease and desist letter sent to Fremantle Productions
Cease and desist letter to Leonid Filatov

Tags: Beacher's Madhouse, Beacher'sMadhouse, Leonid the Magnificant, LeonidTheMagnificant

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(Page 3 of 3) Previous 15 Comments

31. Screw beachers- they are the biggest bunch of scum-bags ive ever worked for- leonid is better off not with them.

Posted at 2:21AM on Jul 18th 2006 by pricillalove

32. beachers are the the biggest bunch of money-grubbing scumbags to work for ever- leonid is really better off having nothing to do with them. they screw you so bad.

Posted at 2:26AM on Jul 18th 2006 by pricillalove

33. Screw beachers- they are the biggest bunch of scumbags to work for. Leonid is better off without them.

Posted at 2:34AM on Jul 18th 2006 by pricillalove

34. screw beachers, they are the biggest bunch of scum bags to work for, leonid is better off

Posted at 2:37AM on Jul 18th 2006 by pricillalove

35. ive heard that too, but its a really great show. that really old stripper guy- bernie, he was on the show too, hes at beachers

Posted at 2:43AM on Jul 18th 2006 by wishIwas20

36. ok--sounds like he should be pissed..this is jeff'f buz afterall-- but--honestly... beachers mad house is the worst show in vegas..they give tix away by the wheel barrow full just to get the seats filled--none of the people that attend have a dime in their pocket...its a big lose lose for the hard rock!

Posted at 3:32AM on Jul 18th 2006 by Lisa Las Vegas

37. i worked at the hard rock forever and have seen beachers madhouse a billion times and by far it is the worst show in the city but leonid is the best part.

Posted at 4:50AM on Jul 18th 2006 by bad apple

38. To some people he is chrstmas tree ornament to others he could be A GOD...

Posted at 9:15AM on Jul 18th 2006 by todd l

39. Leonid SOLUTION: Let the truth be told they can take away his stage name and outfit but they can't take away his talent as a performer. So the best thing for him to do is change his custume Red and call himself "the confused red madame"

Posted at 10:32AM on Jul 18th 2006 by openminded

40. The entire talent show is a rip off of the beachers acts - what a farce.
- The guy who balances things on his face
- the harmonica playing ki
- this big russian fag
- the old guy stripping
- The guy who jump ropes
AND ON AND ON
Hope the show tanks

Posted at 1:52PM on Jul 18th 2006 by dick head

41. Beachers is the biggest joke in Vegas. They do give away tickets to anyone and everyone just to get asses in the seats.
Also, they hire folks and then either
a) Refuse payment after services rendered or
b)Try to "pay" them with Hard Rock Hotel memorabilia.

Everyone knows Leonid was the only talent in Beachers show, and thats not saying much.
In fact, Beachers called me last week trying to give me tickets!

Posted at 7:48PM on Jul 18th 2006 by sminky

42. I hope things work out for the best for Leonid he is not only a amazing body, but very talented. I hope to one day see him live somewhere. Shame on NBC for doing this to him. I may just have to rethink watching that channel again.

Posted at 1:45PM on Jul 21st 2006 by Donna Jennings

43. I think NBC should have just had fewer talents, and not gotten a bunch from that place in las vegas! Just make the season shorter! DUH! I think this is outragious! Although Leoned shouldnt have signed the contract with NBC after he already signed the other one in Las Vegas! Not so smart... NBC is stupid to get that many talents from las vegas, i mean, come on, are you really THAT stupid?

Posted at 2:34PM on Aug 11th 2006 by Me

44. I'm Leonid's fan, hee hee. OMG he is so cool! Seriously, if you have like his e-mail, let me e-mail him! Hee hee. He rox your sox. So don't be mean! >:(

Posted at 4:44PM on Aug 18th 2006 by Lena

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