Former Intern Serves Letterman Class-Action Lawsuit

Published on September 10, 2014. Updated October 15, 2014

A group of interns from Late Night With David Letterman, have presented a class-action lawsuit to CBS and the show.

It’s a dangerous trend, and it has found little legal footing, regardless of the desires of the plaintiffs, or their crackpot, legal teams. Individuals, and groups representing class action, are suing many media and entertainment entities after they feel they should have been paid as interns.

What part of “Unpaid Internship” would be hard to understand when applying for a position? In generations yore, they would call this an unpaid apprenticeship, where you’d apply for a job with a desire to learn a skill set. Sometimes there would be minimal pay based on an existing skill set, or no pay, if there was no skill set. It’s part of the educational process.

It seems the age of entitlement synonymous with the millennial generation, has truly taken a toll. Certain individuals feel they’re deserving of something after they’ve agreed to some work for no pay. It’s both exhausting and aggravating to see these lawsuits come to light, therefore, the party responsible for spearheading this effort will not be listed in this string of words. If you’re interested in knowing who it is, feel free to check out the video below.

(Millennials, don’t take it personally. It’s not to say that everyone from this generation is entitled–just as it was not to say that everyone in Generation-X was apathetic. They’re just particular traits that ring true. Of course, there are hardworking, understanding individuals within every generation.)

In the long run, this is going to hurt opportunity for other interns leaving the world of education, or hoping for an education in the media and entertainment industry. It’s the way it’s done. If you want to come into the mix, and make some money, then you’ll work as a Production Assistant, Administrative Assistant or an Executive Assistant. All pay, and all ensure that you’ll be seen as the lowest of the low on the totem pole. As an intern, you score more responsibility, little or no pay–dependent on the agreement–and more respect if you handle your responsibilities and prove to a be a task manager.

The best interns are often offered permanent positions. It’s when they’re not that they often turn sour, and decide to sue.

Again. What part of “Unpaid Internship” is hard to understand?

Next thing we know, students will be wanting pay for writing papers, and volunteers at non-profits will be suing for lack of a stipend.

To get more details on this case, and the growing trend, check out the video below. And to the individual leading this charge, welcome to the industry blacklist.