Rocket Science Laboratories
| File:Rocket Science Laboratories logo.jpg | |
| Company type | Limited liability |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founders |
|
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Fate | Dissolved |
| Headquarters | , US |
| Website | rocketsciencelabs.com (archived) |
Rocket Science Laboratories was a U.S.-based television production firm that concentrated on reality programming during the 2000s. Established by Jean-Michel Michenaud and Chris Cowan—both former staff at ZMC Productions—the pair acquired ZMC in 1998 and rebranded it as Rocket Science Laboratories. While initially focused on documentary filmmaking, the company shifted its emphasis to reality TV beginning with the 2000 Fox special Surprise Wedding, which led to an exclusive development agreement with Fox. Key projects included Temptation Island, Joe Millionaire, and My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance.
1997–2003: Origins and early success
ZM Productions was founded in 1982 by George Zaloom and Les Mayfield. By 1997, its television arm, ZMC Productions, was managed by Jean-Michel Michenaud and Chris Cowan. Among its productions was the Emmy-winning Images of Life: Photographs That Changed the World. Although ZMC was scheduled for closure after fulfilling current commitments, Michenaud and Cowan purchased the company in 1998, renaming it Rocket Science Laboratories. The first project released under the new name was the documentary Dial H for Hitchcock: The Genius Behind the Showman, which aired on Encore in 1999.
Rocket Science Laboratories maintained documentary production but soon shifted toward provocative documentaries for Fox, such as Getting Away with Murder: The JonBenet Ramsey Story and Unauthorized: Brady Bunch, the Final Days. In 2000, the company moved into reality television with the special Surprise Wedding, which spawned follow-ups and culminated in the successful series Temptation Island. Debuting in January 2001, Temptation Island drew an audience exceeding 16 million viewers despite criticism from conservative groups, highlighting its substantial market impact and enhancing the company's reputation.
In mid-2001, USA Network commissioned a thirteen-episode series titled Mystery Mansion from Rocket Science Laboratories. The program featured strangers collaborating to solve a murder mystery but was discontinued following safety concerns after the September 11 attacks. Likewise, a CBS pilot in 2002 named Culture Shock was canceled amid controversy when two participants filed lawsuits alleging injuries sustained during filming.
Through these calculated transitions and prominent productions, Rocket Science Laboratories secured its status as a significant entity in reality television, capitalizing on exclusive network collaborations to expand its business before ceasing operations in 2009.
2004–2006: Fox partnership and ongoing legal challenges
In July 2003, Rocket Science Laboratories secured a lucrative two-year contract with Fox worth seven figures. Their inaugural project under this agreement was My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance, a six-episode series that debuted to an impressive audience of 24.8 million viewers, achieving notable ratings success.
The firm also produced the television special Seriously, Dude, I'm Gay, originally scheduled for June 7, 2004. The program featured two heterosexual men competing to convincingly portray gay men. However, Fox withdrew the special just eleven days before its planned broadcast following criticism from the media watchdog group GLAAD.
Subsequently, Rocket Science Laboratories developed The Partner, a ten-episode series centered on rival teams of lawyers from diverse educational backgrounds. Although it was slated to premiere on November 7, 2004, the show was canceled in favor of My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss, a satirical spin-off inspired by The Apprentice.
In 2005, the company became subject to litigation initiated by the Writers Guild of America, which accused them of breaching the California Labor Code across seven shows including Trading Spouses, Joe Millionaire, and My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance. The matter was resolved in 2009 with a settlement amounting to $2.57 million, though Rocket Science Laboratories denied any wrongdoing.
2007–2009: Final ventures and company closure
Following the conclusion of its production agreement with Fox, Rocket Science Laboratories entered into a first-look deal with Yahoo!, aiming to apply its narrative expertise toward digital content creation. Mike Wood, serving as the business development director, identified this as a strategic opportunity to broaden their presence in online programming.
Their final production was When Women Rule the World, a reality competition featuring twelve macho men placed under the leadership of ten assertive women. Although intended for the 2007–08 television season, the series experienced delays and was ultimately shelved by Fox; it later aired exclusively in Belgium and Finland on RTL Plug and MTV3 respectively.
In 2009, founders Michenaud and Cowan formally dissolved Rocket Science Laboratories amid mounting financial obligations and liabilities. They subsequently established Angel City Factory, a production subsidiary affiliated with Banijay, continuing their involvement in the entertainment sector.
Television films
| Title | Aired | Original network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dial H for Hitchcock: The Genius Behind the Showman | 1999 | Encore | |
| Influences: From Yesterday to Today | 1999 | CBS | |
| Tripping | 1999 | Channel 4 | |
| Getting Away with Murder: The JonBenet Ramsey Story | 2000 | Fox | |
| After Diff’rent Strokes: When the Laughter Stopped | 2000 | Fox | |
| Unauthorized: Brady Bunch, the Final Days | 2000 | Fox | |
| The 70s: The Decade That Changed Television | 2000 | ABC | |
| Unauthorized: The Mary Kay Letourneau Story | 2000 | Fox |
Television series
| Title | Broadcast period | Original broadcaster | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temptation Island | 2001–2003 | Fox | |
| Mystery Mansion | 2001 | USA | Discontinued |
| Invasion of the Hidden Cameras | 2002 | Fox | |
| Joe Millionaire | 2003 | Fox | |
| Married by America | 2003 | Fox | |
| My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance | 2004 | Fox | |
| Trading Spouses | 2004–2007 | Fox | |
| Renovate My Family | 2004–2005 | Fox | |
| The Partner | 2004 | Fox | Discontinued |
| My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss | 2004 | Fox |
| - | 2007–2010 | Spike | |- | 2007–2008 | ABC | |- | 2008 | TLC | |- | 2009 | Fox | Broadcast exclusively in Belgium and Finland |}
Television specials
Television pilots
External links
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- Pages with broken file links
- American companies established in 1998
- Companies based in Santa Monica, California
- Defunct film and television production companies of the United States
- Entertainment companies based in California
- Entertainment companies established in 1998
- Rocket Science Laboratories
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment