or type here...
Celebrity Justice7/16/2008 4:49 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
Pearl -- Oprah Treated Me Like Doody!

Barry Pearl -- that's Doody from "Grease" to you - says "Oprah's Big Give" is plenty generous ... except when it comes to paying up for movie clips they use on the show.

Here's how it works -- in order to use a clip from "Grease" on TV, it must be licensed first from Paramount and then a fee needs to be negotiated with each of the actors. Pearl says Harpo skipped that crucial part.

He says when he asked for a reasonable fee from O's production peeps for a clip that was on "Big Give," they scoffed -- and called his residuals "found money." Thing is, residuals are much more than "found money" for Barry -- it's his livelihood. So when he saw "Summer Nights" playing on a TV in John Travolta's episode of "Give" -- without his consent -- he asked O's company Harpo for $7,500 for himself and three other Greasers in the clip.

That's when Barry says things got, well, Ken-icky. Harpo countered with $5K, and when he and his agent then countered again, Harpo low-balled him with a SAG-endorsed offer of just three times the weekly wage ... from 31 years ago, i.e, peanuts. They also told Barry to be happy with peanuts, because the cash was "found money." Not so giving!

Barry is suing mad -- and his lawyer is firing off a letter to Harpo as we speak.

Harpo Productions tells TMZ: "The clip in question was included on the "Big Give" series for less than five seconds. We have been involved in discussions with SAG, Paramount and Mr. Pearl's representative in good faith. We have made a settlement offer that is in accordance with SAG guidelines, with appropriate penalties, which should bring this matter to a swift and satisfactory resolution."

Please check your inbox ... your comment will not appear until you have confirmed your identity via email.

When you enter your name and email address you'll be sent a link via email to confirm your comment. Please keep your comments relevant to this post. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make the link live for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 8) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments
1.

poop:  1306 days ago

first

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
2.

ja:  1306 days ago

I hope he gets it. Oprah is so high and mighty. Would be good for her to have a little bad press now and again. Knock her off her high horse.

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
3.

whatever:  1306 days ago

hope he gets 50 million from oprah. she only cares about certain people and disregards the rules.

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
4.

Charito:  1306 days ago

Pay up Harpo. You people have so much money and are trying to keep this man's money. I would like to know how you would feel if you were on the other side of the spectrum.

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
5.

Lana Caine:  1306 days ago

What else would you expect from that horrible witch. She is evil through and through. Oprah, the "icon" who gave us Dr. Phil, "A Million Little Pieces" and Ofrah Winfrey's school for pedophiles. If she wasn't spending so much time in the make-up chair, she might be able to investigate the things she endoreses.
Her make-up people are magicians. And that ego! Even Martha Stewart doesn't plaster her face on EVERY issue of her magazine. Thanks Ofrah--some of us can think for ourselves.
Now go eat another dozen Happy Meals.
Have y'all seen that cartoon on youtube showing Stedman avoiding having sex with her? It's so funny and it's soooo true!

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
6.

Gertie:  1306 days ago

hes a whining crybaby. He oughtta go get a job at Burger King

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
7.

Unbelievable:  1306 days ago

Oprah has more money than GOD! Imagine that she is balking over $7500.
That is the epitome of greed in my eyes. She should be ashamed of herself.
Unfortunately, Oprah may never see the day where she has to rely on "Found Money" in order to survive... although I wish it would happen, and sooon! SOOOO Sick of her.

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
8.

Gertie:  1306 days ago

you people are just jealous cause Oprah's sucessful. Try getting off welfare and maybe YOU can be sucessful yourselves!

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
9.

Unbelievable:  1306 days ago

Also, her production company should be called "Harpoooon" because thats what they would need to do to rope that fat whale ass of hers in.

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
10.

nacho:  1306 days ago

if this is True - SHAME ON YOU Oprah...pay up...you have more money that pretty much everyone in the world

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
11.

Unbelievable:  1306 days ago

7. you people are just jealous cause Oprah's sucessful. Try getting off welfare and maybe YOU can be sucessful yourselves!

Ummm apparently in showbusiness greed gets you success. She is greedy.

and I am certain I make far more money than you.

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
12.

Abby:  1306 days ago

cheap b*tch...and the sad thing is we put her up there where she is...now just wishing someone would knock her down where she belongs...~shakes my head~

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
13.

the DQ:  1306 days ago

She has more money than God, because she stiffs people and expects everything for free. She's a bit*h! I used to like and admire her, but not now and probably never again. She could drop off the face of the earth and would NOT give a s*it!

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
14.

OUTLAW:  1306 days ago

How can anyone hate Oprah as much as she as gave the world.Some people really needs to look at them self and the way they live.What have you gave to the country besides your dumba$$ opinions.GET A LIFE

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
15.

Avenge, revenge, whatever:  1306 days ago

Oprah is a fat pig. I can't believe she is balking at $7500. That's an appetizer for her; literally and figuratively. Pay up, chub scout.

Likes 0 Dislikes 0
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments