Yet another rogues gallery, today. November: A Month of Shame.
Celebrities do awful things. They are human beings, after all, and even though we put them on a pedestal, pay them way too much money, buy their artistic offerings, hold them in high esteem and to higher standards, sometimes... they fuck up. They disappoint (at best) or (at worst) anger us - and down from their lofty perch they tumble.
Sometimes. More often than not? The Show Biz community has their backs, no matter what.
Yes, there is that moment or two where everyone looks at their feet, shaking their heads with dismay, but a few news cycles go by and... the redemption period begins.
Let's take another look at celebrity Humpty Dumpty's who've experienced a big fall, or have royally pissed us off.
The big question being: was what they did so egregious that we find ourselves no longer capable of enjoying their past work? Where do YOU draw the line? Can they be redeemed?
You, tell me.
Jenny McCarthy
The Beef
Having written three books on the subject after her son was diagnosed with the syndrome, "by dint of sheer energy and celebrity, McCarthy became the nation's most prominent purveyor of anti-vaxxer ideology", and has reiterated that she is not against vaccines.
McCarthy's claims that vaccines cause autism are not supported by any medical evidence, and the original paper by Andrew Wakefield that formed the basis for the claims (and for whose book McCarthy wrote a foreword) was based on manipulated data and fraudulent research. USA Today reported that McCarthy had "taken a beating on Twitter".
In a 2015 Medscape article about celebrities who "speak out about illness," Jeffrey A. Lieberman criticized McCarthy and her views on vaccines, thimerosal, and autism. He said: "She has no idea what she is talking about. What she said is misleading and harmful, and the measles outbreak is a clear indication of the response to the spread of such pseudoscientific myths."
As an actress, she's a total clown - in a Lucille Ball manner (if Lucy did disgusting things.) That she's on that ridiculous Masked Singer (and it's a hit!) rather amazes me, but something tells me part of the deal is she shuts up about the vaccine thing. I have little doubt that her early work as an anti-vaxxer is the reason we're having issues with people refusing to get vaccinated for Covid-19. Her relationship with Wahlberg has helped her standing, somewhat, and I will have to hand it to her: she took a career that was in tatters and, due to her powerful charisma and physical attributes, has managed to cut out a successful niche for herself.
Can they be redeemed?
I think she may very well have been. Not in my eyes, but a good deal of the country seems to have no problem tuning into see her week after week. I've watched the show and she's definitely the dominant personality on the panel. So, good for her. But she still has a lot to answer for. History will not remember her kindly.
Michael Richards
The Beef
During a performance on November 17, 2006, at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, California, Richards launched into a racist rant in response to reported heckling and interruptions from a small group of black audience members. Richards was recorded shouting "He's a nigger!" several times and making references to lynching and the Jim Crow era.
Three days after the incident, Richards made a public apology via satellite on the Late Show with David Letterman, saying: "For me to be at a comedy club and to flip out and say this crap, I'm deeply, deeply sorry. I'm not a racist, that's what's so insane about this." Many studio audience members laughed as Richards began his unscripted explanation and apology, leading show guest Jerry Seinfeld to reprimand them, saying, "Stop laughing. It's not funny."
Why in the world would you ever 'go there?' I can understand that he was upset about them arriving late. I can understand his irritation. But where does race play into this? And if that is your go-to? Then, yes... you are a racist. And when I declare that, it's not 'wokism,' it's merely connecting the dots.
When people tell you who they are? Believe them.
Can they be redeemed?
Fuck no. He's done. Racism is toxic and this dude is poison. You're right, Jerry... It's not funny, and I have no idea why you would stoop to try to help this mofo out.
On July 10, 2007, Lovitz got into a physical altercation with Dick at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. Lovitz demanded an apology from Dick, who refused and accused Lovitz of blaming him for Hartman's death. Lovitz then smashed Dick's head into the bar.
Politically, Lovitz is a member of the Democratic Party. However, he was an outspoken critic of former President Barack Obama. He called Obama a 'fucking asshole' and criticized him for claiming the rich did not pay their share of taxes. Lovitz saw this as an attack on the American Dream, opining 'He had nothing … and the guy ends up being at Harvard. He’s the president of the United States. And now he’s like, fuck me and everyone who made it like me.'
In June 2021, Lovitz criticized cancel culture and compared it to McCarthyism.
Can they be redeemed?
Speaking of mofos; fuck Jon Lovitz and everybody like him. Selfish, greedy, myopic. Me, me, me.
Thing is? I adore his schtick. To this day, I want him to play The Penguin in a Batman movie. But in terms of humanity? He's a total dick and I would only go see his stand-up if they paid me to spit on him. And he still gets work; they keep hiring him anyway. For that reason: I don't watch The Simpsons. I don't watch The Critic. I try to avoid anything he's ever been associated with (save SNL, because, as you'll see.. they have produced a long line of a-holes - which isn't their fault. They all became assholes after they were no longer on the show.)
And his treatment of Andy Dick (a bit of an asshole in his own right), is just bully bullshit. Fuck him.
Victoria Jackson
The Beef
A self-described conservative Christian, Jackson has supported the Tea Party movement through appearances at events as well as her website, which was affiliated with the Liberty Alliance.
Beginning in 2008, Jackson stated that she believed Barack Obama to be a communist. In 2015, she claimed that Obama was an "Islamic jihadist" and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, with members of the organization in his cabinet, and that Obama's support for legal abortion and same-sex marriage showed he was not a Christian.
In 2011, Jackson criticized the TV show Glee for showing a kiss between two male actors, citing the Bible to justify her criticism. When accused of homophobia, Jackson countered that the label was merely a "cute liberal buzzword" and suggested that Glee be replaced with a show promoting celibacy.
OMG. What a nightmare this woman turned out to be. I adored her on SNL. She played the perfect 1940's gun moll in every vintage sketch. She was whacky and cute. The theatre nerd nobody wanted to fuck but every laughed with and at. What happened? I don't care. She's become a nut job.
Can they be redeemed?
No. She's said so many hateful things. Fuck her and her 'god.'
Dennis Miller
The Beef
Although in his early years of fame he was perceived to be a staunch liberal and an outspoken critic of Republicans, in recent years, Miller has become known for his neoconservative political opinions.
He was a regular political commentator on Fox News's The O'Reilly Factor in a segment called 'Miller Time,' and previously appeared on the network's Hannity & Colmes in a segment called 'Real Free Speech.'
Miller's ideology changed significantly in the years following the September 11, 2001, attacks. His convictions led him to become one of the few Hollywood celebrities backing George W. Bush and the war in Iraq. While not at all shy about expressing his conservative views on topics such as taxes and foreign policy, Miller is quick to point out that he is still quite liberal on many social issues, including abortion and gay marriage.
He has advocated profiling at airports and oil-drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Miller became a strong supporter of Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. general election.
I admired him a lot. He was quick, witty, urbane, and smart as a whip. I loved his word play and his esoteric references. He was the best thing to happen to SNL's Weekend update.
But he's now a philosophical train wreck. I get the shift. 9/11 screwed with a lot of people's heads. We, as a nation, were not used to being attacked - not on our own turf. He's still socially progressive, which is a good thing. But all the rest?
I don't know what happens to a person, when the are unable to forgive and move on. I don' know why people get stuck, fixated. What they don't realize is... nobody can fix that except them. And while their rage may be justified, it cannot be sustained, for it is not healthy. At some point we must let go of our bitterness. Maybe we don't forgive. Maybe we don't forget. But we mute it to the point where it is not in control of our life. I think of all the joy he's missing out on. But, he's made his choice.
Can they be redeemed?
The orange ogre stuff? No way. He would have to eat a lot of shit for me to forgive that.
But... I do miss him. I think he's an intellectual giant and this world could use his might... when I think of the battle regarding vaccines, when I think of the battle regarding critical race theory? His voice of reason would be something I would take great comfort in hearing.
I think he's gone over to the other side permanently. Fox News is buttering his bread these days and this guy goes where the money is. Don't expect a sudden conversion or change of heart.
So, yes, he could be. No, he will not be.
Drake
According to Flare magazine in 2010, when Drake was 23, he pulled a fan onstage and started kissing and touching her, later finding out she was 17. Instead of reacting like a normal adult would, and saying something along the lines of "Ew, gross, I’m so sorry," he said, "I can’t go to jail yet, man!" and "Why do you look like that? You thick. Look at all this." He also said, "I don’t know if I should feel guilty or not, but I had fun. I like the way your breasts feel against my chest." And, again... why say that?
The allegations of inappropriate interactions between the Canadian-born rapper and various underage girls has been an issue for years. The larger list of girls (some now women) includes some well-known names like Billie Eilish and Jorja Smith. However, three in particular seemingly come with the most red flags: Millie Bobby Brown, Bella Harris, and the unnamed girl at a concert in 2010.
Additionally, last year, according to Celebitchy he was rumored to be dating freshly-turned-18 model Bella Harris, whom he had known and hung out with since she was 16. He also met model Hailey Bieber (then Baldwin) when she was 14 and started dating her when she was 19 and he was 29.
According to The Independent, last year, then-14-year-old actress Millie Bobby Brown revealed in an interview with Access Hollywood that she met Drake backstage at one of his concerts in Australia, and said they text each other 'I miss you so much,' 'I miss you more' and that he gives her advice about boys.
It seemed like the textbook definition of grooming: a technique to befriend a child or teen and gain their trust, to prey on them for various reasons. Many of the young and underage women (Eilish, Brown, etc.) that people have accused Drake of grooming have all said he is the nicest guy and is a mentor-like figure giving advice. To quote Clarkisha Kent in her 2019 WearYourVoice Magazine essay, “But Drake should not be ‘mentoring’ anyone or even leading this conversation based on what we know about his pattern of behavior.”
This is a case that remains to be seen. It's a story that's not fully vetted and, so far, nobody's pointing fingers. That said, as one commentator put it: do we have to wait for the sordid documentary before something is done?
Can they be redeemed?
Technically, he's not tarnished, but if the twitter-verse continues to boil up, expect this thing become more of a thing.
The creep factor? Definitely, potentially there.
Louis CK
The Beef
In 2015, rumors about C.K.'s behavior towards women in his professional life began to appear on various websites, starting with comedian Roseanne Barr (!), who told The Daily Beast in an interview that she had heard stories of C.K., "locking the door and masturbating in front of women comics and writers." In a September 2017 Vanity Fair interview, comedian Tig Notaro announced that she was cutting ties with C.K., a one-time collaborator and producer on her show One Mississippi, saying that he should address the rumors of sexual impropriety, and alluding to an unspecified 'incident' between herself and C.K. November 10, 2017, the Times published allegations of sexual misconduct from five women against C.K.
He copped to it. He owned it. And it ruined him anyway, as well it should have. The Boyfriend and I stopped having anything to do with him after Tig Notaro spoke out - that woman? You do not mess with. And it was a damned shame, as One Mississippi was an awesome show (co-starring her real life girlfriend.)
Can they be redeemed?
The creep factor is always gonna haunt, Mr. C.K.
However, he's well on his way of making a comeback - his comedy special did very well, as did his national tour.
For me? It's a no. I can't find anyone who indulged in that type of behavior even remotely funny.
LeAnn Rimes
The Beef
Amid the legal battles (with her father, her manager and label), Rimes fell in love with backup dancer Dean Sheremet. After her first date with Sheremet, Rimes told InStyle Magazine: "This is the guy I want to marry." The couple married the next year, in 2002. In July 2009, the couple separated and in September 2009, Rimes announced their plans to divorce. The divorce was finalized on June 19, 2010.
Rimes's marriage to Sheremet ended due to her extramarital affair with actor Eddie Cibrian, whom she worked with him on Northern Lights (a Lifetime made-for-TV film). Brandi Glanville, Cibrian's wife at the time and the mother of his two sons, filed for divorce as a result of the affair in August 2009. The backlash from the country music establishment was swift and harsh, with radio stations refusing to play her music.
In June 2010, Rimes said of the affair; "I take responsibility for everything I've done. I hate that people got hurt, but I don't regret the outcome." On December 27, 2010, it was announced that Rimes and Cibrian were engaged, and the couple wed on April 22, 2011.
Musically, I think she's rather fascinating. She's currently going through this rather bluesy pop period, songs that are getting awesome remixes and charting on the dance charts. I found the whole country western backlash to be a bit dated and a huge double standard, for it seems only women who cheat are terrible people, while men who do the same damn thing skate scot-free.
Can they be redeemed?
Yes. She's building quite the gay following, and where the gays are, so goes the industry. I have been buying her most recent remixes. Will country ever welcome her back? Who cares. The lady has great pipes. If she hooks up with the right producer and finds the right songs?
Hell, yeah, I'll support that.
Kevin Spacey
The Beef
On October 29, 2017, actor Anthony Rapp alleged that Spacey, while appearing intoxicated, made a sexual advance toward him in 1986, when Rapp was 14 and Spacey was 26. Rapp had also shared this story in a 2001 interview with The Advocate, but Spacey's name was redacted from publication to avoid legal disputes and public outing. Spacey said that he owed Rapp "the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior" if he had behaved as asserted.
Fifteen others then came forward alleging similar abuse, including Boston anchorwoman Heather Unruh, who alleged that Spacey sexually assaulted her son: filmmaker Tony Montana; actor Roberto Cavazos; Richard Dreyfuss' son Harry; and eight people who worked on House of Cards.
The Guardian was contacted by "a number of people" who alleged that Spacey "groped and behaved in an inappropriate way with young men" as artistic director of the Old Vic.
On the same day of Rapp's allegations against him, Spacey came out as gay. He said, "I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man." His decision to come out via his statement was criticized by prominent members of the gay community.
When Spacey came out when this scandal broke big, I, along with most the gay community said, 'well, we don't want you, now!' When creeps like this come out once their predatory behavior has been exposed, what are we supposed to say? 'Thanks?'
I think Spacey got what he deserved and continues being shunned.
Can they be redeemed?
No. The creep factor on this one is too great and his choice to come out as a means of deflection? Abominable.
Not. My. Gay.
Dave Chappell
The Beef
On October 5, 2021 Chappelle starred in his sixth and final Netflix special The Closer. The special was met with backlash from the transgender community for Chappelle's jokes in the special. Calls for the removal of the special by trans activists were met with defense from Netflix and its CEO Ted Sarandos, claiming freedom of artistic expression.
Ted Arandos has a lot to answer for... fuck him. He actually made this much, much worse.
Oh, don't get me wrong... it was bad to begin with. If the target of any joke tells you you're tone deaf? Believe them. Why else would they call attention to it? And it's not like Chappelle hasn't made a career based on questionable comedy.
Thing is... the trans community are easy targets. This is low hanging fruit. It's not clever, it's grossly insensitive. The trans community are already dealing with enough bullshit - I mean, people are literally killing them and the cops and the media don't care. So... why use them to get cheap laughs? Especially when you're supposedly rather good at what you do? And when that community tells you it's not funny and you don't pull the jokes?
That makes you an asshole. And transphobic.
So fuck you, Dave Chappell, insecure ignoramus.
Can they be redeemed?
I have given him a pass in the past, but not anymore. He's dead to me.
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