Bethenny Frankel’s ‘Unwelcome’ Trademark Filing Draws Criticism

SG Marks, LLC, filed an application for “Unwelcome” on November 11, one day after Franklyn’s memoir, “Daddy Issues,” went on sale. The listing identifies the company as the applicant; it does not establish that Franklyn has agreed to a partnership or a show under the name.

Frankel said she raised the concept while discussing her own projects with a major podcaster’s team. Asked for an example of what she might do, she said, she pitched an idea she had developed with Franklyn in mind. According to Frankel, the team liked it enough to say it would offer Franklyn a show if Frankel chose to pursue the project with her. Frankel did not name the podcaster and said she had not told Franklyn about the trademark when she described the conversation.

Some commenters questioned why Frankel had not taken the idea to Franklyn first. Others dismissed the pitch or criticized the name, with one calling “Unwelcome” “STUPID.” The similarity to Cooper’s Unwell brand also drew attention.

The debate comes as “Daddy Issues” revisits the breakup of Franklyn and Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” partnership, which ended in 2020 amid contract talks with Barstool Sports. Franklyn later launched “Sofia with an F” and continues to host the show while promoting her memoir. Her publisher says the solo podcast debuted at No. 1 on Apple Podcasts’ overall chart. Franklyn has not publicly announced involvement in Frankel’s proposed project.