Thursday’s bombshell news of numerous accusations of sexual harassment and abuses of power by Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein shocked many. The Oscar-winning studio mogul has become toxic in Hollywood. Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd are two actresses who reportedly endured Weinstein’s sexual misconduct. The Academy Award maker is getting mentioned in the same breath as Roger Ailes and Bill Cosby around Hollywood now.
Terminated
The board made the decision to oust the mogul from his company at a meeting held Sunday afternoon after sexual harassment claims were made.
Powerful Producer
In a move that would’ve been shocking a week ago, the mogul was terminated Sunday as co-chairman of The Weinstein Co. after bombshell on-the-record sexual harassment allegations in a New York Times report.
Will It Blow Over?
The situation came to a boiling point Sunday in an explosive meeting when Harvey was offered the opportunity to settle with the company and leave but refused. Harvey argued that the scandal would blow over. The board disagreed.
Ashley Judd Claims Harassment
There have been sexual harassment claims spanning decades. These include actress Ashley Judd. It has been reported that Weinstein has reached at least eight settlements with women.
Luring Actresses To Hotel Rooms
At both ends of the spectrum, however, people agree that Weinstein’s reputation as one of indie cinema’s most prominent purveyors of prestige has been crushed. The allegations that he lured actresses and female studio employees to hotel suites while requesting massages or that the women watch him shower along with other forms of sexual harassment. Actresses he counts on for his Academy movies will not trust him. They will stick with their female actress friends on this one.
Known As A Lunatic
Weinstein’s legendarily combative nature makes it hard to sympathize with his situation. There is not really anyone who has anything good to say about the guy. He is known as a raging lunatic who is incredibly successful.
Different Times
He initially explained his actions saying he came of age in the ’60s and ’70s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different.
Did Not Rape
There are some people out there that will support him because Weinstein never crossed the rape line. There are no allegations of him slipping something in their drink or forcing them to do a sexual acts.
Just A Massage
Some think its not a big deal, he just asked for some massages…Welcome to Hollywood!”
Political Army
With the news on Sunday, many in Hollywood immediately applauded the move by the Weinstein Co. board. Many voiced their excitement with the decision saying they saved lives with their bravery of making that decision. Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn wrote: “If even 1/10th of the stories about Harvey Weinstein are true (and I believe they are), then good fucking riddance. That shit’s gotta stop.” Women’s voices are finally being heard.
Calling In Favors
He is calling in favors from the highest ranks of Democratic party operatives. After fundraising almost $650,000 for Barack Obama and a few thousand more for Hillary Clinton, Weinstein was sure to ask for some favors.
Co-Created Miramax In The 1970s
Growing up in New York City, both Harvey and Bob had a passion for movies. Using profits from their concert promotion business, they created an independent film distribution called Miramax. They named it after their parents, Miriam and Max. The studio is responsible for producing and distributing several films, like Pulp Fiction and The Crying Game.
He’s An Award-Winning Producer
Harvey won an Academy Awards for producing Shakespeare In Love. He’s also won seven Tony Awards for producing a variety of plays – including The Producers, August: Osage County, and Billy Elliot the Musical. These revelations will forever tarnish a legacy of a man once held in high regard in Hollywood.
Reckless Reporting
Weinstein has accused the New York Times of “reckless reporting” and has said he plans to sue the newspaper for $50 million. He plans to reach out to any women who have issues with him in a respectful way with his lawyer present.
Going Under?
