Celebrity Justice
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."

Tags: Grease, Oprah

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(Page 6 of 8) Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. oprah owes her "succeses" to the white man. without him she would be nothing.
i think it is time for her to go.
let her and gail do "their" thing. oh baby girl, i luvs my horny honey.

Posted at 10:36PM on Jul 16th 2008 by dansgirl

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

Posted at 4:08PM on Jul 16th 2008 by beulah

Beulah: Get off the sofa and pass your 2nd grade spelling exam. What an embarrassment you are!

Posted at 10:33PM on Jul 16th 2008 by stel

78. There is no law saying what SAG says, goes. That's why you negotiate with an artist in advance to use their image, or get sued silly later.

Posted at 10:33PM on Jul 16th 2008 by stel

79. Pay up my old buddy. I saw this guy first perform when we were both cub scouts. He was about 10 years old. I new he was talented back then. I also watched his carreer grow with much hard work. He is also a decent human being who does not deserve this treatment. Grease did alot for his livlihood. He had to work his ass off to get that part. I think you have enough money Oprah.

Posted at 11:15PM on Jul 16th 2008 by Jeff Rittenhouse

80. The TERRIBLE current shot of Barry Pearl that TMZ found to use in their three-pic spread (BP old & new, plus Oprah) under the EXCLUSIVE banner, makes Barry look like he doesn't have any teeth. ...And that's the point, isn't it?

Although Harpo Productions would like to believe otherwise, actors aren't toothless, and Oprah's company got caught not bothering to negotiate a fee with the performers featured in the clip from "Grease" that they chose to use in their John Travolta episode. Clearly, they assumed they'd get away with it.

Can you imagine the self-righteous indignation that would be spewing out of the Harpo camp if the situation were reversed and somebody dared to use Oprah's visage without her permission and with no compensation, even "for less than five seconds?"

"Found money?" OPRAH WAS FOUND OUT!!! The issue isn't "she's richer than God," or "anyone who doesn't worship Oprah is racist," the issue is: DO THE RIGHT THING, MS. WINFREY!!! Pay the actors.

Duh.


Posted at 10:41PM on Jul 16th 2008 by KC be loose

81. OPRAY
You are not above every one else. PAY UP
Every one else has to go through red tape SO DO YOU
With all your money you think you would be more appreciative

Posted at 10:43PM on Jul 16th 2008 by hm

82. Mr. Pearl is what is known as "a working actor." No, he's not a huge star. If you check out his bio, he's been steadily employed in the industry since he was a teenager. He's probably a more well-rounded performer than most "big stars." I'm sure Mr. Pearl makes a very good income, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be paid his due.

Posted at 10:46PM on Jul 16th 2008 by Hepzibuh

83. Barry is a fair, wonderful,person.
I hope this works out. In the years I've known him this is the first time I've heard of him being upset.
Barry has paid his dues and earned his paydays.
I hope Oprah see's this- I've always enjoyed her and her points of view.
Ta ma'ra

Posted at 11:14PM on Jul 16th 2008 by Ta ma'ra

84. Don't mess wit OPRAH, the great and almighty AMERICAN GODDESS. She got game.

Posted at 11:17PM on Jul 16th 2008 by OPHELIA

85. I stopped watching Oprah a few months ago. I got tired of the same old thing. . . . . the same old way she looks at the audience, acts white, but will occasionally throw something in with her version of a "ghetto" accent so people won't think that she's trying to be white. She constantly interrupts people and the story always seems to come back to her because it is truly all about her in the end. Her audience members look like they've all gone through some sort of suburban Chicago filter. Their hair looks the same, they all wear the same thing, act the same, they all cry at the same time over the same things, they offer way too much information when asked, and they trip over themselves kissing Oprah's ass. The audience would probably be 100% white, but the producers have to make sure to throw in a sprinkling of other ethnicities, strategically placed by each camera, in order to convey a perception of diversity amongst her fans.

Oprah, back in the day, you used to be cool. Now you're boring, predictable and your show is a snooze-fest.

Posted at 11:20PM on Jul 16th 2008 by Stacy

86. her buddy travolta told her it would't be a problem..........but now it is.....uh oh.

Posted at 12:08AM on Jul 17th 2008 by susan

87. If Oprah can't cough up the bucks, maybe her good buddy Travolta could! It shouldn't be a hardship for either one of them! Pay Doody what he is owed!!

Posted at 12:47AM on Jul 17th 2008 by Mrs. G. Clooney

88. 29. 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

Posted at 4:45PM on Jul 16th 2008 by youngblackbro
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
exciuse me , Oprah doesnt do for THIS country...she only spends it in villages in africa
she wont help the black poor here the rich get richer by stealing it from others Oprah is no different

Posted at 1:07AM on Jul 17th 2008 by Media infidels

89. Barry Pearl's position is completely justified, and he expressed it well. Too many people try to take advantage of Actors, who count on residuals for a good part of their income. Shame on Harpo for not sticking to the rules.

Posted at 1:37AM on Jul 17th 2008 by jackO

90. He is entitled to anything he can get from Oprah. I would take the $7500 and sent a THANK YOU card. rfor 5 seconds of 30 year old History. You should see some of the obcene residuals I get for a 5 second stunt from 30 years ago.If he turned down $7500 then hes a PUTZ.

Posted at 1:27AM on Jul 17th 2008 by Stunt Baby Gregg

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