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Newsgasm: Brothers claim Prison Break larceny - TVgasm

by Tabloid Baby

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We dig Prison Break because it's so outrageous and amped up a notch or two beyond reality. Never mind Wentworth Miller's ten-years worth of tattoowork; the whole idea of a guy getting himself sentenced to prison so he can break out his wrongly-incarcerated brother is one of those screenwriter's flights of fantasy that's too far out to be true.

Tell that to Robert and Donald Hughes. They say the story is theirs. And they're suing Fox for copyright infringement.

Back in the 1960s, Donald helped younger brother Robert, wrongfully incarcerated at 16, escape from juvenile prison. The brothers were on the run for four years, taking jobs where they could and dodging the law across the nation. The brothers say their agent (yes, even ex-cons in Missouri have agents these days) agent sent Fox a manuscript based on their experiences, back in 2001. They say Fox passed. So they were surprised when they tuned in to Prison Break last fall.

Robert Hughes, who's 59, tells the AP: "If we sold the manuscript at this point to a movie studio or network, they'd think we were copying Prison Break. "

Big brother Donald, 63, calls it " a classic case of the rich trampling on the poor."

The brothers were exonerated in 1968 after The Kansas City Star ran their story. They're still close, living on disability and Social Security in central Missouri, where they filed their federal lawsuit.

Prison Break is set in contemporary time. But in their suit, the Hughes brothers claim more than 30 places, names or events that are strikingly similar to those in their treatment.

No comment from Fox, but on the bright side, the Hughes brothers' four years on the lam could signal at least three more seasons for .

--Tabloid Baby


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Posted by Tabloid Baby on October 25, 2006 7:00 AM

Comments

Oh yeah?! Well, I came up with the original idea for "Yo Momma". In fact, I'm suing Wilmer Valderrama RIGHT NOW! Put up a story about THAT, if you're going to report every case of copyright enfringement, no matter how the evidence looks at first.

"Yo momma so ugly, I inpregnated your daddy!" YEAH! TOP THAT!

Posted by: JohnEDowney [TypeKey Profile Page] | October 25, 2006 7:19 AM(#1 of 6)

Yeah, Prison break is awesome. Too bad it never gets recapped on here......bitter, yes. :-)

Posted by: Coley [TypeKey Profile Page] | October 25, 2006 8:43 AM(#2 of 6)

Prison Break is recapped here. Check the Shows Section.

Posted by: Jyoti [TypeKey Profile Page] | October 25, 2006 10:12 AM(#3 of 6)

Thanks Jyoti, but I was being sarcastic. I think the last recap is at least three eps ago. They always slack with this show. Last season they didn't even finish the season. Looks like they won't again.

Posted by: Coley [TypeKey Profile Page] | October 25, 2006 11:39 AM(#4 of 6)

Yeah, I got your back on that one Coley. I've said the same thing many times. Some people say to just go to the forums and discuss. But I prefer to read the snarky recaps and post in the comments. The week's episode was a bit confusing for me. Would have liked to have seen a recap and gained a little insight from others. Oh well.

Posted by: RealityTV4Me [TypeKey Profile Page] | October 26, 2006 8:03 AM(#5 of 6)

yea. what is up with the sporadic prison break recaps? my tvgasm obsession started over these recaps last year with sg_dub but man this year has been a downer.

where is the funny?

the recaps are good, just love it like J-unit love Top Model. Give us a recap the day after or at the latest by Wednesday for a Monday night show. Frustration.

Posted by: citychick416 [TypeKey Profile Page] | October 30, 2006 1:16 PM(#6 of 6)

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