Farrah Fawcett's Documentary Controversy.

[DawnCt1]

Farrah Fawcett's battle with cancer has extended beyond two years. She has had multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation, radioactive isotopes, embolization, etc, etc. She WANTS to live. I think filming the documentary, which is set to air tonight, was an effort she made to help her deal with her situation. She is an actress. She is used to dealing with the camera. She can relate to it. She wanted to do this film. Last night Dr Keith Ablow, (psychiatrist) felt that it was an intrusive glimpse into her life that none of us have to see. He made some good points about "life playing out in front of cameras, etc" and that the viewing of the film should be saved for her close friends and family, and he may be right. But in my opinion, this is Farrah's life and Farrah's death. She won't get a chance to do it again. She wants this to air. Her life has certainly had its ups and downs, with her son Redmond in jail...again. Now the producer is suing over the documentary and his "rights". Its a tragedy unfolding. How do you feel? Will you watch it?
Producer sues over Fawcett documentary


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AP – FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2004 file photo, actress Farrah Fawcett arrives for the MTV Video Music Awards …
By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer – Thu May 14, 2:57 pm ET
LOS ANGELES – A producer who has collaborated with Farrah Fawcett is suing over an upcoming documentary about her battle with cancer.
Craig Nevius filed a lawsuit in Santa Monica on Wednesday — the same day "Farrah's Story" was screened for friends and reporters.
His lawsuit states he is seeking to regain creative control over the documentary and unspecified damages against several of the project's key players.
The lawsuit does not name Fawcett as a defendant, nor seeks to block NBC's prime-time airing of "Farrah's Story," scheduled for Friday.
Instead, the suit claims Fawcett's former boyfriend, Ryan O'Neal, his business manager and longtime friend Alana Stewart interfered with his role in the documentary. He also claims O'Neal physically threatened him.
The documentary is a candid look at the former "Charlie's Angels" actress' battle with anal cancer, which has spread to her liver.
Paul Bloch, a publicist for Fawcett, O'Neal and Stewart, said the lawsuit would be hurtful to Fawcett if she found out about it.
"We are shocked by this type of behavior," Bloch said. "Here's a woman who everyone knows has been ill and to do something like this is horrific. This has been a very difficult time for Ryan O'Neal.
"When you see something like this, you have to question the motives of someone who can be so hurtful during this very sensitive time in a person's life."
Nevius worked on the reality TV show called "Chasing Farrah."
In his lawsuit, Nevius states he had a contract to produce a documentary on the 62-year-old Fawcett's cancer treatment in accordance with Fawcett's wishes.
A hearing on the lawsuit, which was first reported by celebrity gossip site TMZ, has been scheduled for Aug. 31.

 

[Feralpeg]

I will absolutely watch it. I feel she has the right to decide what she wants revealed about her life and struggle with cancer.

Each person deals with cancer in a different way. When I had it, I absolutely refused to accept the idea that I could die. I tried to stick to my normal routine as much as possible and made plans for several years down the road. That was my way of telling myself that I would beat the disease. Only now, looking back, do I realize that it could have gone the other way. I was very lucky.

I think Farah is a very brave lady and I pray that a miracle will pull her through.

 

[JessicaR]

I'm going to watch it. The bottom line is Farrah 'wants' this to air and is excited about it. It doesn't much matter what others think about her sharing this. If this was done against her wishes that would be a different story but thats not the case.

She has a story to tell and share and I think it will be informative and emotional for many. If someone feels it is controversial or too personal they don't have to watch.

 

[Pigeon]

I guess I'd agree with the psychiatrist that it's a very intrusive thing, and as somebody who grew up during the showing of the Loud family's "An American Family" documentary, I can see that the mere act of filming can change family dynamics in a bad way.

That said, I think that it's Ms. Fawcett's call as to whether to film and broadcast her story.

As for what's going on between Mr. O'Neal and the producer, I think you'd have to know a lot more of the details of what went on to know the truth.

 

[DawnCt1]

I guess I'd agree with the psychiatrist that it's a very intrusive thing, and as somebody who grew up during the showing of the Loud family's "An American Family" documentary, I can see that the mere act of filming can change family dynamics in a bad way.

That said, I think that it's Ms. Fawcett's call as to whether to film and broadcast her story.

As for what's going on between Mr. O'Neal and the producer, I think you'd have to know a lot more of the details of what went on to know the truth.

I plan to watch it. The "family" is essentially Redmond, Ryan and of course Farrah. This is a family that has been under the spot light since Farrah became an "Angel". Its hard to even speculate how the dynamics will change. Redmond has been drug addicted and in and out of jail since he hit adolescence. It is "intrusive" and intimate but it is that way by her own choice. I also agree with you with regard to O'Neal and the producer. We don't know. O'Neal comes to the table with his own disagreeable personality, regardless of how supportive he has been of Farrah since her diagnosis. Things weren't always smooth sailing. I am glad that he has stood by her however.

 

[TerriP]

IMO it's her call. If she wants it shown and there is an outlet to show it, then there ya go. I, for one, have no desire to watch any part of this "story".

 

[SpecialK]

I will not watch. I've already dealt with burying family members who died due to cancer. I don't need to share in a stranger's tragedy.

 

[ols386]

I think it's Farrah's choice if she wants to air the video. I think it's her way of trying to deal with what's going on in her life. If it may be to upsetting for some individuals to watch, then they should probably not watch it.

 

[LoraJ]

I think it's Farrah's choice if she wants to air the video. I think it's her way of trying to deal with what's going on in her life. If it may be to upsetting for some individuals to watch, then they should probably not watch it.

I agree.

I think I will TiVo it. But I just can't emotionally handle watching it right now.

 

[RN4Babies]

We all deal with our mortality and diagnosis/prognosis differently. I say this as both a former oncology nurse, as well as someone who has been fighting cancer for almost two years now. There is no right or wrong way; it's a very individual, unique process and decision.

I'm working tonight, and am not planning on recording the documentary. That being said, if filming the documentary was important to Farrah and gave her some satisfaction and sense of peace, more power to her. The viewing public can decide for themselves if they feel they would benefit from watching.

 

[Stitchfans]

I think it's Farrah's choice if she wants to air the video. I think it's her way of trying to deal with what's going on in her life. If it may be to upsetting for some individuals to watch, then they should probably not watch it.

I also agree with this. I may be able to watch some of it. Will have to see.

 

[Momvic5]

Though I think it is Farrah's choice, I will not be watching it. I recently watched my mom die with cancer, and at this time in my life, I just can not watch another life struggle with it. The pain and helplessness that cancer brings into a family is still just too much for me watch.

 

[Planogirl]

I suspect that some people who have dealt with this personally might find this special too difficult to watch while some others might find it comforting in a way. Many of us who have never had to deal directly with such a tragedy could learn something. I don't know yet what I'll do to be honest. It's a difficult thing.

As for Farrah, she certainly has the right to deal with this in the way she finds best.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I find what Farrah doing to be open and honest and a bit courageous. All the trash magazines are wanting to pay thousands of dollars to get pictures of her looking like death or sitting in a wheel chair or throwing her guts up.

Well, the public will now see it but on her own terms and I applaud her for that. Even though it doesn't seem like this story will end with a miracle, I would hope that Farrah's fight and the same for Elizabeth Edwards would give hope and inspiration to others that are fighting the same fight and give them the courage to keep going forward.

In another way it shows the public that even someone like "America's Angel" Farrah can be human and real with the battle of her cancer. She just isn't someone on a poster or someone's hair you just had to have.

I just hope that her son watches the documentary over and over in hopes of keeping hisself clean.

 

[Stacerita]

Her life, her choice.

 

[Chicago526]

The shrink is entitled to his opinion, and may very well have some valid points, but at the end of the day, it's her choice.

 

[freckles and boo]

She has lived her life in the spotlight BY CHOICE. If she wants to share this with the world then she has the right to do so. I personally wouldn't do it, but some people derive satisfaction and validation from being in the public eye. It doesn't appear that she is being exploited.

As for the lawsuit, creative differences are inherent in a situation like this. Egos get bruised. The timing may not be the best, but so what? If he has a legitimate case, there really is no better time to make it than now.

 

[Pigeon]

While I certainly think it's her choice and entirely her right, I think there is a difference between being a celebrity and all that entails and the level of exposure of actually having someone in your home and hospital room videotaping the excruciating details of your treatment at a time when you are at your most vulnerable.

I'm a cancer survivor and I can't imagine wanting to do that. I'll have to take a pass on watching it. Reliving chemo vicariously isn't something I'd do for entertainment.

 

[TangaroaTiki]

I plan to watch

 

[JaxJags08]

She obviously has the right to do this documentary if she wants, but I won't be watching. I, like other posters, have lost family to cancer. Not to be mean, but what makes her so special that she has her own show? One can just hope that she is doing it to help shed more light on her illness and push for more research.