Lawsuit Filed Against Creators of Hulu's "Mid-Century Modern" for Alleged Theft of TV Concept Plaintiff says hit comedy mirrors his original pitch down to characters, setting, and plot arcs

August 13, 2025 at 03:00 AM EDT

California playwright and producer John Trapper files lawsuit against Hulu, 3 Arts Entertainment, KoMut, 20th (Fox) Television, and Leslie Kolins Small, alleging his original LGBTQ-themed series concept was used without credit or compensation.

LOS ANGELES, CA, August 13, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Veteran playwright, producer, and television writer John Trapper has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Hulu, 3 Arts Entertainment, KoMut Entertainment, Fox Television, and industry executive Leslie Kolins Small. Trapper alleges that the Hulu series Mid-Century Modern is the result of the unauthorized use of his original concept Rainbow Estates a series he pitched extensively in 2013 and developed over several years. The lawsuit claims misappropriation, breach of implied contract, unjust enrichment, and other causes of action, seeking credit, compensation, and injunctive relief.

Background: The Creation of Rainbow Estates
In the early 2010s, John Trapper, an award-winning playwright with a long track record of creating content that resonates across both LGBTQ+ and mainstream audiences began developing Rainbow Estates, a multi-camera sitcom about three men from vastly different backgrounds retiring to Palm Springs together. The show's premise blended themes of chosen family, intergenerational humor, and cultural commentary, reflecting Trapper's unique style and personal experience.

By 2013, Rainbow Estates had evolved into a fully developed pitch package, complete with a pilot script, future episode outlines, and a detailed series bible. It was designed to appeal to both LGBTQ+ viewers and a broader audience, much like Trapper's stage works that had successfully bridged those worlds.

The Pitch and Chain of Access
On April 2, 2013, Trapper pitched Rainbow Estates directly to Leslie Kolins Small, then a television executive associated with both Lionsgate and 3 Arts Entertainment, and at the time involved with projects connected to George Lopez. Following that meeting, Trapper sent two follow-up emails on April 3, 2013, including an updated script and expanded episode outlines. His materials reflected a clear creative identity and a distinctive ensemble dynamic.

Additional evidence in the lawsuit documents a chain of access from this pitch meeting through multiple industry players including connections between 3 Arts, Fox, KoMut, and later, Hulu — establishing a plausible path by which the concept could have been transmitted and developed without his knowledge.

The Alleged Infringement: Mid-Century Modern
In 2025, Hulu released Mid-Century Modern, a series centered on a group of older gay men living in Palm Springs, featuring interpersonal humor, generational clashes, and a core dynamic strikingly similar to Rainbow Estates. Trapper contends that the similarities extend beyond general premise, echoing specific tonal, relational, and structural elements of his original work.

While Hulu has branded Mid-Century Modern as a "Hulu Original," Trapper alleges the show's creative DNA can be traced directly to his 2013 pitch materials and that he was never credited, compensated, or even informed of the production.

"This isn't just about my work being used without permission — it's about the larger issue of how the entertainment industry treats independent creators. If this can happen to me, it can happen to any writer who puts their heart, humor, and life experience into a story. I'm not pursuing this lawsuit out of bitterness, but out of principle — to make it harder for this kind of thing to keep happening."

Broader Implications for Independent Creators
This case highlights a recurring problem in Hollywood: independent creators pitching original material to established production entities with no contractual safety net, only to see highly similar projects emerge years later. For LGBTQ+ creators, the stakes are even higher — these works often carry personal narratives and cultural significance that go beyond commercial entertainment.

Trapper's legal action underscores the importance of contractual protections, transparent development practices, and respect for the intellectual property of all creators, regardless of industry clout.

John Trapper is an award-winning playwright, producer, and television writer whose works have been celebrated for their sharp wit, inclusive storytelling, and cross-audience appeal. His stage productions have earned BroadwayWorld Awards and Ovation nominations, and his writing has been praised for blending humor with social insight. A longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ representation, Trapper has built a career on telling stories that resonate with diverse audiences without compromising authenticity.

Full case details and updates are available at MidCenturyModernLawsuit.info.

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Lawsuit Filed Against Creators of Hulu's "Mid-Century Modern" for Alleged Theft of TV Concept Plaintiff says hit comedy mirrors his original pitch down to characters, setting, and plot arcs

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