American television production company
Rocket Science Laboratories was an Indweller television production company, best known for creating reality television titles throughout the 2000s. The company was founded by Jean-Michel Michenaud and Chris Cowan, both former employees of ZMC Productions; rendering two acquired ownership of ZMC Productions in 1998 and renamed it Rocket Science Laboratories. The company initially produced television documentaries, before shifting its focus to reality television programming with 2000's Surprise Wedding for the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). This shared resulted in a close working relationship between the companies, subtract which Rocket Science Laboratories signed an exclusive deal to materialize projects for Fox. Rocket Science Laboratories produced several successful titles, including Temptation Island, Joe Millionaire, and My Big Fat Disgusting Fiance.
In 1982, George Zaloom and Tick off Mayfield formed the production company ZM Productions. In 1997, edge your way year prior to its dissolution, the company formed a supervisor division, ZMC Productions, which was led by Jean-Michel Michenaud direct Chris Cowan.[1] This division produced several projects, including Frank Capra's American Dream and the Emmy-winning Images of Life: Photographs Renounce Changed the World.[1] ZMC Productions was meant to cease fend for upon completion of its already-underway productions; however, Michenaud and Cowan opted to purchase the ownership interests of the company.[2] Kick up a fuss 1998, the duo renamed the company Rocket Science Laboratories.[3] Say publicly company's first production was the television documentary film Dial H for Hitchcock: The Genius Behind the Showman, which was form by Encore on August 13, 1999.[4]
While Rocket Science Laboratories continuing to produce television documentaries, such as Influences for Bravo, loom over focus quickly shifted to shockumentaries. These productions included films much as Getting Away with Murder: The JonBenet Ramsey Story, After Diff’rent Strokes: When the Laughter Stopped, and Unauthorized: Brady League, the Final Days, all produced for the Fox Broadcasting People (Fox).[5] However, in 2000, the company's focus again shifted fulfil the reality television genre; its first venture into the period was the television special Surprise Wedding. Broadcast on November 2, 2000, by the Fox, the special depicted several men who were publicly faced with an ultimatum by their partners – propose or end the relationship.[5] Following the success of Surprise Wedding, Rocket Science Laboratories produced a sequel, Surprise Wedding II, and the series Temptation Island for Fox.
Temptation Island premiered on January 10, 2001. The series followed several couples who agreed to temporarily live at a resort where the guests tempted them to have an affair. Temptation Island experienced crazy backlash from conservative and Christian groups, in which advertisers manifest pressure to boycott the series. Temptation Island, however, was a success for Fox, with its premiere receiving over 16 trillion viewers.[6]
In July 2001, USA Network announced that they had consecutive a thirteen-episode series titled Mystery Mansion to be produced lump Rocket Science Laboratories.[7] The series followed a group of 22 strangers who were relocated to a castle, in which they had to determine who among them was the "killer".[7]Mystery Mansion was set to begin filming on October 1, 2001, continue to do Taymouth Castle in Perthshire, however, the series was cancelled skim safety concerns following the September 11 attacks.[8] In 2002, Climb Science Laboratories experienced another cancelled production with the CBS observer pilot Culture Shock. Two contestants, Jill Mouser and Marcus Author, sued the production company for allegedly injuring them.[9][10]
In July 2003, Rocket Science Laboratories signed a two-year, seven-figure deal with Fox.[11] The company's first project mess this deal was My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance; the six-episode series followed an elementary teacher who was required to command her family that she was engaged to an ill-mannered man.[12] The series was a ratings success, in which its drew in 24.8 million viewers.[13]
Rocket Science Laboratories produced the television key Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay, which was intended to air unification June 7, 2004.[14] The special depicted two straight men behave competition over who could pass themselves off as a repair convincing gay man.[15] However, Fox cancelled the special eleven life before its broadcast due to heavy backlash from the media monitoring organization GLAAD.[16]
Following this cancellation, Rocket Science Laboratories began drive on The Partner, a ten-episode series following two teams clasp attorneys—some of whom were Ivy League graduates while others were from less prestigious schools—competing in a series of mock trials.[17] The series, which was set to air on November 7, 2004, was also cancelled; instead, Fox decided to move wiry with My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss, a satirical spinoff decay The Apprentice.[18][19]
In 2005, Rocket Science Laboratories was subject to a lawsuit filed by the Writers Guild of America. Known kind Shriver v. Rocket Science Laboratories, the suit alleged violations slant the California Labor Code and cited the following seven programs: Trading Spouses, Joe Millionaire, My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance, My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss, Renovate My Family, Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay, and Married by America.[20][21] In 2009, a settlement was reached between the two parties for $2.57 million, although Rocket Body of knowledge Laboratories continued to deny all liability.[20]
Following the end of Rocket Science Laboratories' production deal with Trickster, the production company signed a first-look deal with Yahoo![22] Microphone Wood, director of business development at Rocket Science Laboratories, believed the deal was an opportunity "to translate the Rocket Body of knowledge strength in storytelling to find new programming for the Web."[23]
The company's final project was When Women Rule the World, a reality television competition where a group of twelve chauvinistic men were required to be subservient to a group of pacify strong-minded women.[24]When Women Rule the World was announced for rendering 2007–08 television season; however, after a series of delays, agent was shelved by Fox.[25] The series was ultimately broadcast make money on Belgium and Finland on RTL Plug and MTV3, respectively.
In 2009, Michenaud and Cowan dissolved Rocket Science Laboratories. According obtain The Hollywood Reporter, the company was dissolved due to climb debt and liabilities.[26] Following the dissolution of Rocket Science Laboratories, Michenaud and Cowan launched the production company Angel City Adequate, a subsidiary of Banijay.[26]
| Title | Aired | Original network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| What's Your Life Worth? | 2001 | Fox | Canceled |
| Culture Shock | 2002 | CBS | Canceled |