No Brown M&M's - going to far?

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No brown M&M's allowed in Van Halen's dressing room!?!   Do you think that goes a bit far for a "contract rider" - in other words demands added onto artist's contracts?  I used to think so, until recently.  I did a bit of research on the subject and discovered the reason Van Halen had such an odd request.  It had to do more with a safety issue - and no, the safety issue was not about choking on brown M&M's. 

However, there are now hundreds of artists who go to extreme demands - I mean if you're an artist making millions of dollars, you can't afford to go buy your own Flinstone Chewable Vitamins (Christina Aguilera); clean underwear or how about pre-stamped postcards so you can write the folks back home (Coldplay)???  The Smoking Gun has compiled a list of over 246 acts, both old & new, every music genre, including Divas and Comedians and their bizarre contract demands.  Even Sir Paul McCartney makes the list!

Wouldn't it be great if when you sign a contract for a house, car, job - whatever - you could add a "rider" (contract demands.)  Krispy Kreme Donuts, please - and bring on those Big Macs!  Of course New Balance shoes and a membership to a gym, plus a trainer is a MUST (in order to work off the Krispy Kremes & Big Macs!)  Hmmm... riders may not be such a bad thing after all!  What do you think?