AMTA Acts to Share Concerns about New TV Series Implications for MTs
February 23, 2012: AMTA has discussed the concerns of massage therapists about the upcoming TV series, The Client List, with the Senior Vice President of Communications for the A&E Networks. AMTA was assured that they have no intention of offending massage therapists. The association will monitor the series and communicate directly to their top executives if there are more concerns when the series is aired.
We feel they understand our concerns and have provided us with the following statement:
“We appreciate your feedback concerning the new Lifetime Television series entitled, The Client List. For many years, Lifetime television has explored the complexity of women's lives and their stories through fiction and non-fiction movies, series and programs. The Client List is a fictionalized story about the experiences of a single mother as she unexpectedly faces dire economic circumstances. The series also features a broad range of characters with alternative points of view who make different choices. The Client List is not intended to depict any specific spa or massage entity, nor in any way demean or disparage the therapeutic massage profession and its benefits and contributions to the health and wellness industry.”
While AMTA doesn’t view the response from A&E as a victory, the personal communication from the corporate office shows that they are listening to AMTA and that they have heard the feedback from our strong community of professional massage therapists.
This situation continues to evolve and AMTA, as your association, will monitor the show and continue to advocate on your behalf and update you as we gain more information. Massage therapists should certainly continue to express their views on the show to the network and the producers.
February 7, 2012: AMTA wants members and others in the massage therapy association to know that the association is aware of the new Lifetime TV series called “The Client List” and has taken action to share the concerns expressed by many about how it might imply that it is common for massage therapists to also be prostitutes.
On Monday, February 6, 2012 AMTA sent a communication to the President and CEO of the A&E Network, copying other executives for the company that owns Lifetime, about the implications for massage therapists and the profession. The association will be monitoring their response and will consider other action to emphasize the importance of respecting the professionalism of massage therapists.
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