Future of groundbreaking show ‘Transparent’ may be in flux
When “Transparent” debuted four years ago on Amazon with a transgender lead character, it was a special moment for TV. It won Emmys and seemed a perfect fit for a burgeoning civil rights movement. Now the show’s future may be in flux following allegations against star Jeffrey Tambor.
Fellow “Transparent” actress Trace Lysette alleges Tambor pressed his body against hers in a sexually aggressive manner and made inappropriate and unwanted sexual statements on the set of the show. Tambor denies the allegations saying in a statement that he has “never been a predator - ever.” Lysette is the second woman to accuse Tambor of harassment. Lysette, who is herself transgender, said on Twitter that when she emerged from wardrobe in a costume of a lingerie top and shorts for a scene with Tambor, he said, “My God, Trace. I want to attack you sexually.”
Lysette said she and another actress laughed off the remark, but then Tambor approached her between scenes a few minutes later. “He came in close, put his bare feet on top of mine so I could not move, leaned his body against me, and began quick, discreet thrust back and forth against my body,” Lysette said. “I felt his penis on my hip through his thin pajamas.”
Tambor has been hailed for his portrayal of Maura Pfefferman, the transgendered matriarch of the quirky Pfefferman family. He has won a best actor Emmy for his portrayal, and has also starred in such shows as “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Arrested Development.” Lysette urged Amazon to “remove the problem and let the show go on.” The gay rights group GLAAD echoed her request, calling for the show to be refocused, presumably away from Tambor.
“For too long transgender women have been forced to hide stories of harassment and abuse in the work place, and Trace has taken a powerful stand in calling for an industry where all women can work in safe environments,” GLADD said. “GLAAD stands with Trace in her hope that the inappropriate situations she and others endured on set will be remedied, and that future seasons will focus on more of the many brilliant characters that audiences love and care about.” — AP