'Extreme Makeover'? Try 'People's Court'

Heartwarming reality-TV episode ends in orphans' bitter lawsuit
By Max Brallier,  Newser User
Posted May 13, 2007 2:13 PM CDT

It was supposed to be a great story: ABC's hit reality show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" transformed the home of Phil and Loki Leomiti and their five adopted children into a nine-bedroom dream house. Today the children, who moved out within weeks of the show's broadcast, are locked in a legal battle with the couple and the network.

The Higgins children, now in their mid-teens to early 20s, alleged fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The LA Times looks at the legal battle and the questions it raises about reality television and the motivations behind shows like "Extreme Makeover," which has generated more than half a billion dollars in ad revenue over the past two years. (More ABC stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X