Los Angeles Creator Files Lawsuit Over Alleged Misappropriation of Series Concept “Rainbow Estate

Los Angeles, California Aug 24, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - Veteran playwright, producer, and television writer John Trapper has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court (Case No. 25STCV22973) against Hulu, 3 Arts Entertainment, KoMut Entertainment, 20th Television (formerly Twentieth Century Fox Television), Leslie Kolins Small, and others, alleging the unauthorized use of his original LGBTQ-themed series concept, Rainbow Estates, for Hulus hit comedy Mid-Century Modern. Trapper, an award-winning creator known for his 2009 play The Golden Gays, performed in Los Angeles, Miami, and Palm Springs, claims the series mirrors his concept pitched in 2013, seeking credit, compensation, and injunctive relief. The case faces Disneys well-documented strategy of erecting legal barriers to suppress smaller plaintiffs, as seen in Rockmond Dunbar v. Twentieth Century Fox Television (2022), Scarlett Johansson v. The Walt Disney Company (2021), and other high-profile disputes. 

I worked for years on Rainbow Estates, a heartfelt sitcom about three gay men retiring to Palm Springs, said Trapper. Now its on Hulu as Mid-Century Modern without my name. Like Rockmond Dunbar and Scarlett Johansson, Im up against Disneys tactics to silence the little guy, but Im fighting for queer creators voices to be heard. A small group, often referred to as the gay Mafia, tends to dominate credit for LGBTQ-themed television, overshadowing creators like me who crafted many original LGBTQ stories, said John Trapper. The industry must embrace the diverse voices producing vibrant queer content. 

Background: The Creation of Rainbow Estates 

In the early 2010s, Trapper, whose works resonate with both LGBTQ+ and mainstream audiences, developed Rainbow Estates, a multi-camera sitcom centered on three gay men navigating retirement in Palm Springs with humor and generational clashes. On April 2, 2013, Trapper pitched the concept directly to Leslie Kolins Small, then an executive with ties to Lionsgate and 3 Arts Entertainment, followed by two emails on April 3, 2013, with an updated script and episode outlines. The lawsuit documents a chain of access from this pitch through industry players, including 3 Arts, 20th Television, KoMut, and Hulu, suggesting Trappers concept was transmitted without his knowledge. 

Alleged Infringement: Mid-Century Modern 

In 2025, Hulu released Mid-Century Modern, a series about older gay men living together in Palm Springs, starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham, and Linda Lavin. Critics have praised its gay Golden Girls vibe, but Trapper alleges its core dynamic and setting are strikingly similar to Rainbow Estates. Despite its popularityranking No. 11 on Hulus Top 15 Today list and earning an 88% Rotten Tomatoes scoreno confirmation has been announced regarding a second season, adding uncertainty to the shows future. 

Challenges in Service of Process 

Trappers legal efforts face hurdles, as defendants Leslie Kolins Small and KoMut Entertainment appear to be actively evading service of the lawsuit. While Hulu and 20th Television were served via Corporation Service Company, and 3 Arts Entertainment via Paracorp Incorporated, attempts to serve Small at her verified home address and KoMut at their Burbank office (4000 Warner Blvd., Bldg. 140, Ste. 201) have met resistance, mirroring Disneys delaying tactics in other cases. 

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Disneys Pattern of Legal Hurdles 

Disneys history of imposing obstacles to silence smaller plaintiffs is well-documented. In Rockmond Dunbar v. Twentieth Century Fox Television (2022), actor Rockmond Dunbar faced significant pushback after suing Disney and 20th Television for religious and racial discrimination over his dismissal from 9-1-1 for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Disneys legal team challenged his claims, dismissing three of 13 counts, including a disparate impact claim, before allowing the case to proceed to trial on religious accommodation issues. Similarly, Scarlett Johanssons 2021 lawsuit against Disney over Black Widows hybrid release strategy faced aggressive defenses, including attempts to move the case to arbitration, before settling amid public backlash. Other cases, such as TSG Entertainment v. Twentieth Century Fox (2023), saw Disney prolong litigation over financial disputes, delaying resolution for years. These tactics, frivolous motions, arbitration demands, and drawn-out legal battles reflect Disneys strategy to exhaust smaller plaintiffs like Trapper, currently a pro se litigant fighting for his intellectual property. Disneys hurdles wont stop me from seeking justice for queer creators, Trapper said. 

Broader Implications for Independent Creators 

This case underscores a recurring issue in Hollywood: independent creators, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, pitching original material without contractual protections, only to see similar projects emerge. Trappers The Golden Gays, a critically acclaimed play, and Rainbow Estates carry cultural significance for queer audiences, making the alleged misappropriation particularly poignant. The lawsuit alleges misappropriation, breach of implied contract, unjust enrichment, and other claims. Trapper awaits responses from defendants, with potential motions to quash expected within 30 days of service. Updates are available at MidCenturyModernLawsuit.info. 

About John Trapper 

John Trapper is an award-winning playwright, producer, and television writer whose works, including The Golden Gays, have earned Broadway World Awards and resonated across diverse audiences for their wit and inclusive storytelling.