April 23, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Lawsuit Against Ashton Kutcher Likely to Go Forward

Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher is involved in a lawsuit alleging he pushed away a reality show producer from an idea she pitched to him. (Thinkstock)

A judge said June 4 he likely will allow a reality television producer to move forward with her lawsuit alleging the production company of Ashton Kutcher pushed her out of a show she pitched about the Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and that a talent agency did not properly protect her interests.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joseph Kalin also said he is inclined to dismiss Big Cheese Media as a plaintiff in the case brought by Hedda Muskat against Kutcher’s Katalyst Media, Inc., and Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Muskat is now the sole member of Big Cheese after her partnership with another party ended, according to her attorney, Daniel Lifschitz, but Kalin said he doubts the plaintiff can bring a suit on behalf of the company.

After hearing arguments from attorneys, Kalin said he wanted to study the issues further. He took the case under submission and said he would rule as soon as this afternoon.

Muskat sued Katalyst and CAA last Sept. 20. Her allegations against Katalyst include breach of oral contract and that the company put its interests ahead of hers.

In their court papers seeking dismissal of all claims, Katalyst attorneys state that Muskat’s claims are vague and that her breach of oral contract claim was not filed on time.

She alleges CAA, which represented both her and Katalyst, should have assisted her when she complained that Katalyst was allegedly limiting her role in the project.

CAA attorney Jennifer Laser said there are no details in the complaint demonstrating how her client helped Katalyst put its interests ahead of the plaintiff.

The suit alleges Muskat came up with the idea to create a reality series that focused on the the operations of the DMV and the people who work there. The suit further states that Muskat knew DMV officials were reluctant to consider entertainment industry pitches for television programs involving the agency, so she put a large effort into cultivating a relationship with them from late 2009 through early 2010 to pitch the project.

Muskat proposed the project to CAA in February 2010 and the agency recommended she enlist Katalyst to co-produce the project, according to the lawsuit.

Muskat alleges CAA scheduled a meeting to present the idea to Katalyst at a time the agency knew she would be out of the country, even though she had asked to be present at all such meetings. She says CAA insisted the meeting had to take place then at the time and so she reluctantly agreed.

In March 2010, Katalyst told Muskat the show was sold to TruTV even though she had been told other networks were interested, the suit states. TruTV then gave money to Katalyst to hire a staff, but Muskat was unaware of the development and continued to work without pay, the suit states.

In May 2010, Katalyst co-owner Jason Goldberg verbally promised Muskat that she would remain in control of production and a month later the DMV agreed to the project, the suit states. However, the agency later pulled out of the project, the suit states.

Muskat’s credits include work on America’s Got Talent, A Current Affair, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).

Related Posts

(Video) A Myriad of Ways to Unlock Your Beauty Offered at Mirror Mirror Med Spa

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

For More Info, Go To Mirrormedspa.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/5uE3LO9Lz9 pic.twitter.com/tz8YgJaB4j — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) April 23, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles Offers Summer Camps, Programs

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles is hosting several summer camps for teenagers and kids, providing practical training in...

Cinespia Returns to Hollywood Forever With Cult Classics and a David Lynch Tribute

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Becomes a Moviegoer’s Paradise Once Again Cinespia, Los Angeles’ beloved outdoor cinema series, will return to Hollywood...

Major I-405 Rehab Project Unveiled: Caltrans to Host Virtual Info Meeting

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Sepulveda Pass Overhaul: New Pavement, Safer Roads, Better Commutes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual informational...

Culver City Government Hosts Second Annual Mental Health Fair at City Hall

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Free Tools, Resources, and Relaxing Activities at Wellness Celebration Culver City will host its second annual Mental Health Resource Fair...

Skip Traffic, Relax, Catch a Vibe: Midweek Sunset Party Lands on the Westside

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

DJ Jason Bentley, Mocktails, Games, Food Trucks, Light Up Fox Hills Commuters looking to escape rush hour gridlock on Thursday,...

San Fernando Valley Man Gets 5 Years for Beverly Hills Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Federal Prison for ID Thief Who Raided Beverly Hills Mailboxes for Millions A North Hills man was sentenced Monday to...

Santa Monica Police to Target Impaired Drivers at DUI Checkpoint 

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Officers Will Be On Alert for Alcohol and Drug Impairment The Santa Monica Police Department announced plans to conduct a...

Academy Announces Major Changes for 98th Oscars, Including AI Rules and New Casting Award

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Academy Now Requires Viewing All Nominees to Cast Final Ballots The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled...

Pepper Spray and Panic: LA Homeowners Targeted in Nighttime Burglaries

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

LAPD Hunts Suspects After One Resident Attacked in Beverly Grove Two separate home invasions late Friday night in Beverly Grove...

“We’re Better Than This”: Tour Business Owner Pleads for Protection After Third Burglary

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Thieves hit Again, Stealing E-Bikes and Leaving a Wake of Damage in South La Cienega The frustrated owner of a...

Lawsuits Allege Insurance Giants Conspired to Undercut California Fire Victims

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Two Lawsuits Accuse Top Carriers of Price-Fixing and Violating Antitrust Laws Attorneys representing homeowners impacted by California’s January wildfires have...

Cali Camp Welcomes Los Angeles Campers

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Roam streams, meadows and oak trees in the heart of rock-lined Topanga Canyon this summer at Cali...

Culver City Closes Streets for Earth Day to Encourage Green School Commutes

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Pedal, Walk, or Roll: Culver City Schools Go Car-Free for Earth Day Culver City is taking its Earth Day celebration...

Mayor Karen Bass’ Budget Plan Proposes 1,647 Layoffs Amid $300M Liability Surge

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Civilian LAPD Staff, Transportation, and Sanitation Departments Among Hardest Hit Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal...