Do sex assault allegations turn viewers away?
Viewers face quandary over shows starring accused abusers
Oh, no, not God. Or at least, his Hollywood stand-in. Oscar winner Morgan Freeman — the almighty in “Evan Almighty” — is the latest male celebrity under fire in the #MeToo era.
Late last week, in an article on CNN's website, eight women accused him of inappropriate comments and sexual harassment.
One of his accusers was a coauthor of the piece, Chloe Melas, who alleges Freeman made several suggestive comments about her body during an interview — some of which were captured on videotape.
Freeman has apologized to any women he says he might have offended. That probably won't satisfy anyone.
Stars accused of gross conduct present a problem to fans. How can they watch their
TV shows or films knowing what went on behind the scenes? For some, the simple act of viewing feels like an act of complicity. Freeman served as host and narrator to Science Channel's otherwise superb documentary series “Through the Wormhole.” Will viewers still want to queue up that show on demand?
This isn't a new conversation. It's something people have been wrestling since the '90s with director Woody Allen, accused of molesting his adoptive daughter Dylan. Now, as the #MeToo movement has unmasked a cavalcade of alleged offenders, it seems like the list of problematic shows is multiplying.
Here's a long weekend, perfect for a series marathon. Want to pop in “House of Cards”? Is it really possible to watch that show given all the charges levied against now-ousted star Kevin Spacey?
How about “Gossip Girl”? With accused rapist Ed Westwick?
Maybe something lighter? Scratch “Louie” with Louie C.K.
What about a family program? Don't even think about “The Cosby Show.”
Dr. Cliff Huxtable's (Bill Cosby) gynecology office in the basement of his home just seems like one more tell we all missed.
Then we have “Arrested Development,” which makes a return to Netflix Tuesday and — spoiler! — is hilariously demented. The new season is already being impacted by the various charges against co-star Jeffrey Tambor and a disastrous press outing with most of the cast.
Tambor was fired from his Emmy Award-winning job at Amazon's “Transparent” — another fine show that just seems irrevocably tarnished — but filmed this season of “Arrested” before those allegations broke. On the “Arrested” set, he admitted to screaming at co-star Jessica Walter.
“In almost 60 years of working, I've never had anybody yell at me like that on a set,” Walter said last week.
In defending Tambor at that joint appearance, most of the male cast disregarded and mansplained over Walter — who was sitting right next to them — crying.
In reaction to the uproar on social media, Netflix canceled the press tour to the United Kingdom. That was smart.
That said, I hope fans will tune into “Arrested Development.”
What's the difference between, say, “Transparent” and “Arrested Development”?
Maybe it just comes down to something as crass and subjective as screen time. As a man transitioning to a woman, Tambor was the center for the entire Amazon show. On “Arrested,” he's a face in an ensemble you can fast-forward by. It helps that his clueless character is all but emasculated.
This doesn't feel like a satisfying answer to the question of the artist vs. his art. None of this feels ideal.
And soon I fear we'll be left with nothing but cartoons.
Just don't queue up the loveobsessed French skunk Pepe Le Pew.