What are the odds that a story of hollywood skulduggery ripping off the non-famous is actually dishonestly maligning hollywood execs & deal makers?

Possible, sure. My prior on hollywood execs turning out to actually be honest is pretty damn low. Yours?

If OP had negotiated the contract in good faith, I don't think this would have been an issue, but if there were lot of assholery in getting that contract, the network is happy to stick it back