Film, TV maker Joss Whedon faces ‘Buffy’ actor abuse claims
LOS ANGELES ( AP) — Prominent film and TV creator Joss Whedon, who faced a claim of abusive behavior on the set of “Justice League,” drew criticism Wednesday from actors who worked with him on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
The first and most direct allegations came from Charisma Carpenter, who said in a social media post that Whedon has a “history of creating toxic and hostile work environments,” including the one she experienced on “Buffy” and while she was pregnant.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred as the title character on the 1997 to 2003 series, responded to Carpenter’s post with a supportive if opaque online message of her own.
“While I am proud to have my name associated with Buffy Summers, I don’t want to be forever associated with the name Joss Whedon,” Gellar wrote. She is focused on her family and the pandemic and planned no further statements at this time, she said, adding, “I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out.”
Representatives for Whedon didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from the writer, director and producer.
Among Carpenter’s allegations: During her pregnancy, Whedon called her “fat,” joked about firing her and, at one point, called her into a meeting during which he allegedly asked if she was “going to keep it,” apparently a reference to her pregnancy, and attacked her character and religion. She said she was “unceremoniously fired” from the role of Cordelia the following season.
Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Gellar’s sister, went on social media to thank Gellar. “I am brave enough now as a 35 year old woman…. To repost this,” she wrote, and alluded to “his not appropriate behavior” she experienced as a teenage actor.
Amber Benson, who appeared as Tara on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” also responded to the allegations, saying in a post that the show had a “toxic environment” that started “from the top.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reminds travelers who may be bringing Valentine’s bouquets back with them from Mexico that not all flowers and plants are OK for international travel.
CBP officers and agriculture specialists working at U.S. ports of entry will be making sure flowers are free from pests and diseases that could harm the agricultural and floral industries of the United States.
“We work to protect U.S. agricultural resources from harmful pests, so we thoroughly inspect agricultural products brought across the border,” said Anne Maricich, acting CBP director of field operations in San Diego. “We want travelers to know ahead of time what they can and cannot bring into the country so there are no surprises at the port of entry.”
Chrysanthemums from Mexico are prohibited through the passenger ports of entry. This restriction is to prevent fungi, such as Chrysanthemum white rust from entering the United States.
Additionally, some cut greenery, which are the plants used to fill a bouquet, may have pests or diseases. For example, Murraya (common name “orange jasmine”) is a host for Asian citrus psyllid, a dangerous pest of citrus. If any portion of a bouquet has pests, the entire bouquet will be confiscated, CBP said.
Roses, carnations and many other flowers are allowed into the United States after they pass inspection. However, plants potted in soil cannot be brought from Mexico. Travelers must declare all flowers and plants to CBP officers or agriculture specialists.
If the bouquet a traveler declares has prohibited flowers and greenery, it will be seized, but travelers can avoid possible penalties by ensuring that they declare the bouquet. If the bouquet has no prohibited items, CBP agriculture specialists will inspect the cut flowers and greenery for pests and diseases. Absent any pests or diseases, the traveler will be allowed to keep the bouquet, CBP said.