BOYDS DON’T CRY
IF only he knew someone in media. Newsman got a credible tip that moviemaker was a sexual predator in the 1990s — but he only had enough information to broadcast it in-house. Speaking at Hope for Depression Research Foundation Luncheon, Scarborough said a producer friend warned him about Toback when the allegedly deviant director reached out to his daughter (photo with the anchor) about film work. At the time she was a 20-year-old aspiring actress. “He is a despicable, reprehensible human being, who should be nowhere near your daughter under any circumstance,” a visibly upset Scarborough recalled his friend warning him. “So instead of getting a return call from he got a return call from Elizabeth Scarborough’s dad, and that was the end of it for my daughter.” Toback stands accused of harassing or assaulting 38 women, according to a blockbuster Los Angeles Times report last month. Toback has denied the claims.
Reading that article brought back memories for the 74-year-old newsman, who stepped away from doing NBC’s 11 p.m. broadcast in July after 42 years on the job. He still does the 6 p.m. show.
“My daughter is now 38, and 18 years ago, my producer friend — and I presume everyone in Hollywood — knew precisely what was going on with James Toback and and their alleged behavior,” he said. “This was an open secret in the film industry.”
Scarborough then praised actress who was a Hope Award honoree at Wednesday’s luncheon, for speaking out against Weinstein in The New York Times last month. By putting a name and a face to longstanding rumors of sexual misconduct by the Miramax founder, Judd freed up media outlets to write about Weinstein with fewer legal concerns.
“That article could not have happened without the courage of Ashley Judd, who was willing to speak openly on the record about her experience with one of the most powerful men in her business,” he said to a roar of applause from the Plaza Hotel crowd.
“What’s happened since then has been astonishing,” Scarborough said. “I’ve never seen a tsunami like this in my life. The Weinstein effect. Through tech, through media . . . the Weinstein effect has gone global.” Band violinist strings are in higher demand than his vocal chords. While Tinsley’s (inset) violin playing runs through the credits of the documentary “Father’s Kingdom,” which screens at the DOC NYC festival Sunday and Monday, his narration was scrapped from the final cut. “Father’s Kingdom” is nevertheless one of the featured attractions at the documentary festival, which opens on Friday at the Cinepolis Chelsea, IFC Center and SVA Theatre.