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Hollywood "Casting Couch" Upheaval

Angie

Angie

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The situation with Harvey Weinstein has had a huge fallout in Hollywood over the past few days (and it's arguable that it likely partially came out because of the Bill Cosby rapes).

It started a few days ago with Kevin Spacey: https://www.thedailybeast.com/second-spacey-allegation-rocks-london-theaterland-hotline-opened

It looks like there are additional allegations against Brett Ratner (producer of The Revenant), Jeremy Piven (that one really didn't surprise me), and Dustin freaking Hoffman: https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/h...ccused-sexual-misconduct-second-actor-n816336

I'm curious how this non-political story (and it will remain that way here) strikes others, men in particular. Does it seem like people pandering for attention? Do you believe the allegations before additional proof comes out? How do you react to sexual harassment/assault stories? How are you reacting to the current ones?
 
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twojman

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I like to presume innocence...where there is smoke there is fire though. People that harass and assault are sickening to me. When a person is in a position of power over another, it is even worse. The victim, I presume, would feel pretty helpless because of a job situation and being intimidated. Nobody should feel powerless.

I am trying to teach my daughter to be strong...I sure hope she never has to go through anything like this.
 
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helechopper

helechopper

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If there’s power, there’s going to be people that take advantage of that power. This will always be fact, it’s just to what degree we as human beings can mitigate those nasty impulses.
 
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SpokaneCY

SpokaneCY

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Angie said:
The situation with Harvey Weinstein has had a huge fallout in Hollywood over the past few days (and it's arguable that it likely partially came out because of the Bill Cosby rapes).

It started a few days ago with Kevin Spacey: https://www.thedailybeast.com/second-spacey-allegation-rocks-london-theaterland-hotline-opened

It looks like there are additional allegations against Brett Ratner (producer of The Revenant), Jeremy Piven (that one really didn't surprise me), and Dustin freaking Hoffman: https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/h...ccused-sexual-misconduct-second-actor-n816336

I'm curious how this non-political story (and it will remain that way here) strikes others, men in particular. Does it seem like people pandering for attention? Do you believe the allegations before additional proof comes out? How do you react to sexual harassment/assault stories? How are you reacting to the current ones?
Click to expand...

I'm a huge fan of transparency and welcome all the light that can be shone on these actions. BUT - I fear we're creating a Salem witch-hunt mentality and potentially good, decent men may be unreasonably smeared over little more than a decades old allegation.

Based on the stories we've heard however, I'm willing to let chickens roost where they belong if it means these kinds of activities are no longer permitted, excused, or rationalized away because of power, fame and money.

Besides - WHO'D a thunk that Kevin Spacey was GAY? o_O

Last point - I have very little sympathy for folks that knowingly look the other way when they are assaulted if they think they can get something from it - like a part in a movie or fame. THAT said - there can be NO excuse for sexual assault.
 
coolerifyoudid

coolerifyoudid

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Honestly, I hate that the charges become public knowledge. Once someone hears about the charges, presumed innocence goes out the window and wild speculation ensues. Whether you believe the accused's innocence or guilt, most people form a verdict already.

Spacey and Piven wouldn't surprise me, but I know I'm basing that on some of the roles they have played. It's unfair to them, but it's impossible for me to overlook it entirely.

Ideally, we should keep the charges private and only release the verdict to prevent unfounded public shaming of either side.
 
Angie

Angie

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I was a huge fan of The Cosby Show, so the Bill Cosby stuff was really hard for me to reconcile. I didn't want to believe the allegations until they were inescapable. I had loosely followed Weinstein's career, as I was a big fan of a lot of his films, so that was shocking - but I didn't know really anything about him.

The Kevin Spacey thing makes me especially sad, if it's true (and volume is starting to get behind that, too). He's part of a community that is marginalized, and some awful people try to make allegations against the gay community as a whole to diminish them and make them appear as predators. He was in a powerful position where he could have either come out and advocated for the community (and likely found willing partners in the process), or even had stayed silent and just worked against the terrible stereotypes of a few... but he instead became a predator, preyed on very young men whose sexual orientation he didn't even know.

Dustin Hoffman is freaking Rain Man. He's Tootsie. He's played parts of people who were discriminated against and the like. If the allegations are true, how could he reconcile himself to that incongruity?
 
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CloneinWDSM

CloneinWDSM

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DurangoCy

DurangoCy

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It’s always tough when it’s so far after the fact. The first accusation, I’ll keep and open mind, but when the number starts heading towards double digits I absolutely think they did it. Just hope they have to face the music from a legal perspective, but assume it’s probably too late, which sucks.
 
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jdoggivjc

jdoggivjc

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Angie said:
I was a huge fan of The Cosby Show, so the Bill Cosby stuff was really hard for me to reconcile. I didn't want to believe the allegations until they were inescapable. I had loosely followed Weinstein's career, as I was a big fan of a lot of his films, so that was shocking - but I didn't know really anything about him.

The Kevin Spacey thing makes me especially sad, if it's true (and volume is starting to get behind that, too). He's part of a community that is marginalized, and some awful people try to make allegations against the gay community as a whole to diminish them and make them appear as predators. He was in a powerful position where he could have either come out and advocated for the community (and likely found willing partners in the process), or even had stayed silent and just worked against the terrible stereotypes of a few... but he instead became a predator, preyed on very young men whose sexual orientation he didn't even know.

Dustin Hoffman is freaking Rain Man. He's Tootsie. He's played parts of people who were discriminated against and the like. If the allegations are true, how could he reconcile himself to that incongruity?
Click to expand...

This is all Mrs. Robinson's fault.
 
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carvers4math

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I don't know a single woman around my age (57) who has ever had a job who has not experienced sexual harassment. Zero. None. So I find nothing surprising about it and much disturbing. I don't know if it is less common now. I suspect men encounter it as well.
 
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cyIclSoneU

cyIclSoneU

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On Facebook and elsewhere, I've seen some people spout "innocent until proven guilty" or "not proven beyond a reasonable doubt" in response to these things (usually as a pretext to ignore the allegations and go on wanting more House of Cards or whatever).

This is misguided. The presumption of innocence and burden of proof are appropriate in criminal cases because the penalty - complete loss of liberty in prison - is so severe. This should not be the bar that we judge folks by in the so-called court of public opinion. When the body of allegations is so large, I won't think twice about considering Ratner, or Weinstein, or whoever else to have done those disgusting acts and I will adjust my own entertainment budget accordingly.

I think more people should think this way and start believing victims of sexual assault and harassment more easily. We aren't on a jury being asked to put these people away for decades in jail. The bar should be lower.
 
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Tre4ISU

Tre4ISU

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Angie said:
The situation with Harvey Weinstein has had a huge fallout in Hollywood over the past few days (and it's arguable that it likely partially came out because of the Bill Cosby rapes).

It started a few days ago with Kevin Spacey: https://www.thedailybeast.com/second-spacey-allegation-rocks-london-theaterland-hotline-opened

It looks like there are additional allegations against Brett Ratner (producer of The Revenant), Jeremy Piven (that one really didn't surprise me), and Dustin freaking Hoffman: https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/h...ccused-sexual-misconduct-second-actor-n816336

I'm curious how this non-political story (and it will remain that way here) strikes others, men in particular. Does it seem like people pandering for attention? Do you believe the allegations before additional proof comes out? How do you react to sexual harassment/assault stories? How are you reacting to the current ones?
Click to expand...

In general, to be honest, I'd question a single accusation at this point. I'm not going to say I wouldn't believe it but I wouldn't just believe it either. The thing is that every situation I've seen has been numerous women accusing one guy with very specific details that I find hard to make up. Combine that with the fact this stuff is obviously going on and I end up buying most of this.

The one thing I'd like ot know is how many of the women went a long with these things knowing it would further their career and were perfectly fine with that.
 
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