Sarah Palin-Detractor Suing Bristol Over Reality TV Show Clip

Bristol Palin acknowledged that some people don't like her when discussing her new show, Bristol Palin: Life's a Tripp, however she may not have realized that the show's backlash could come with a $75,000 price tag.

Reuters reports that talent manager Stephen Hanks is suing Bristol Palin and the Lifetime channel, which will be broadcasting the upcoming reality show, over a widely circulated video clip of the two arguing in an Los Angeles bar. According to Reuters, the suit calls Palin's behavior, "outrageous," accusing the young mom of calling Hanks a "homosexual" in a "degrading manner."

The suit also alleges that in a magazine interview Palin wrongly blamed Hanks and their scuffle for her decision to leave L.A. for Wasilla, Alaska.

The suit counters that she had already purchased her Alaskan home months before the clash.

[See a collection of political cartoons on Sarah Palin.]

In in a video clip of the confrontation, which has been pushed through various media outlets as Lifetime promotes the show, Hanks appears to call Sarah Palin, former Alaskan governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, "evil." Appearing on Good Morning America this week, Bristol discussed altercation, saying, "I think if somebody is going to talk poorly about my mom, I am going to pick and choose my battles."

According to news outlets Hanks asserts that he had not granted his permission for Lifetime to use the film. He is seeking more than $75,000 in damages, claiming defamation and emotional distress, Reuters reported.

If all publicity is good publicity, then the lawsuit will keep Palin's show in the headlines before its June 19 premiere. ! But if a ccusations of homophobiawhich the lawsuit seems to suggeststick to Bristol, the negative reaction the Palin family already gets could affect the show's success.

Tierney Sneed is associate editor of U.S. News Opinion. E-mail her at tsneed@usnews.com.


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