Scott Rudin takedown — Page 12

singerunlimited said: "Remember when Bette Midler said of Scott Rudin, “I owe everything to Scott Rudin, who is the greatest producer I have ever worked with in my life” and talked about his “willingness to pay the price...” during her Tony Awards acceptance speech for HELLO, DOLLY?

If not, here’s a refresher: https://youtu.be/PDrhFjDDeo0

I find it shocking and so hypocritical that Bette is so vocal when abuse allegations come out against a Republican (which deserves to be called out!), yet she remains silent on this situation."

People of Bette's age and generation often aren't the best advocates against non-abusive bosses in the industry. They grew up seeing it as normal and think of it as normal. Think Meryl Streep.

“People of Bette's age and generation often aren't the best advocates against non-abusive bosses in the industry. They grew up seeing it as normal and think of it as normal. Think Meryl Streep."

Please tell me you’re joking. Bette goes after everyone on Twitter. She lambasted 45 daily and comes for any politician, racist or misogynist she becomes aware of. She goes after Kardashians for showing too much titty. People of her age marched for women’s rights and feminism. While some of that generation’s beliefs may be dated or not exactly progressive, they aren’t wall flowers. Streep either.

From another Rudin production alum:

https://twitter.com/JakieJake88/status/1382491024262635532

Bette told the story of Geraldo Rivera essentially sexually assaulting her while hitting on her. I mean, the CRAP women put up with.

"WE WANT TO BREAK TIES WITH PRODUCERS LIKE SCOTT RUDIN WHO THROW POTATOES AT PEOPLE."

I love that this is the particular grievance they chose to highlight in their demands.

I need to ask a question that I know no one will like, but why does society need people to come out, and make statements saying they don't condone the behaviour, or they stand in solidarity? Why do we need to back people into a corner and say "Publicly say something. If you don't then you are just as guilty as those making the problem?"

It makes me think of the discussion going on with the cast Buffy, the Vampire Slayer/Joss Whedon. One of the actors (I think it was David Boreanaz, but not 100%) spoke privately to another who was accusing Whedon of harassment, and society hounded him to make a public statement. When he did, it was I spoke privately with my co-star a few weeks ago and showed my support to her. She knows how I feel.

ClumsyDude15 said:

There is going to be a March On Broadway on April 21st per this Instagram post I’ve seen going around."

I'm guessing this will be less of a "march" and more of a dozen or so people walking down the street angrily.

^LOL

Updated On: 4/15/21 at 04:15 PM

I expected to hear way more from Steven Pasquale, too.

fashionguru_23 said: "I need to ask a question that I know no one will like, but why does society need people to come out, and make statements saying they don't condone the behaviour, or they stand in solidarity? Why do we need to back people into a corner and say "Publicly say something. If you don't then you are just as guilty as those making the problem?"

It makes me think of the discussion going on with the cast Buffy, the Vampire Slayer/Joss Whedon. One of the actors (I think it was David Boreanaz, but not 100%)spoke privately to another who was accusing Whedon of harassment, and society hounded him to make a public statement. When he did, it was I spoke privately with my co-star a few weeks ago and showed my support to her. She knows how I feel.

"

As much as I would love that more individuals speak out, I am more interested in institutions take a stand. When actors equity releases a statement which doesn’t even name him, that’s embarrassing. They have the ability to place Rudin on a do not work list and yet... Also still silence from the Broadway league and his business partners. Where is the statement from the Lincoln center?

Updated On: 4/15/21 at 05:38 PM

Call_me_jorge said:
As much as I would love that more individuals speak out, I am more interested in institutions take a stand. When actors equity releases a statement which doesn’t even name him, that’s embarrassing. They have the ability to place Rudin on a do not work list and yet... Also still silence from the Broadway league and his business partners. Where is the statement from the Lincoln center?"

1. As long as Rudin has fulfilled all of his current financial obligation to Actors' Equity, then no, they would not have the right to place him on a "do not work for" list. They could try, but it would never hold up in any court.

2. I don't believe Rudin is a member of the Broadway League (I could be wrong). But in any event -- they are not a union, they are a coalition and have no jurisdiction whatsoever.

3. His "business partners" are his investors on a show by show basis -- should they refuse to accept any checks from him and walk away from any investments they have already made to his shows?

4. What does "the" Lincoln Center have to do with anything?

What's really sad about all of this is that as an industry, we've been shut down for over a year. In this year, we should be re-examining all the things that haven't been working. It is disgusting that Scott Rudin has been able to straight up assault people and continue to work, but with enough money, anything is possible. But what if it didn't have to be that way? What if we collectively took a stand and said, "Hey, actually this is unacceptable". It seems obvious to me that the major players in this industry clearly are fine with Rudin the way he is, and the copious amounts of abuse. If we come back to work and not change anything in our industry, we will have learned nothing--which, seems on point for American culture.

I am optimistic though that once people my age (I'm 28) get into more positions of power, that the cycle will start breaking. It hurts me to see such a minimal amount of people take a stand. It should not be on a non-binary latinx performer to take a stand. It should be on cis white people. Both gay and not. If Ben Platt, LuPone, Barbra, whoever--vocally took a stand and said "we will not return to work", I believe that some real, tangible social change would come. As someone else said, there is strength in numbers. That's why unions exist like AEA, theoretically (even though AEA is incredibly useless).

Love millennials or hate them, millennials and gen z are pretty determined to break the toxic patterns set forth by our predecessors, and unlike Gen X or boomers, we are entering into adulthood with far less generational wealth, massive amounts of student debt, and now a lot of us feel our careers are stunted because of COVID. The generations before us objectively had it easier, so they sold out on their values in ways that we simply aren't able to. Most of us will not be able to afford nice houses, large families, or the somewhere that's green. If you think I'm hyperbolizing, I recommend you read this Newsweek article that states that millennials currently control 4.6% of US wealth, a drastic change from boomers, who at age 34 owned 21%. We have been so f_cked over by the generations before us, that I have optimism we will not just let go of our anger. So while Scott Rudin may not be done today, tomorrow, or next year--I think it's a safe bet we will see less and less Scotts in the future, or at least, that is my hope that I am projecting out into the universe.

@JSquared2 The post you quote has a bunch of silly stuff in it, but you've got a lot wrong in your response.

"1. As long as Rudin has fulfilled all of his current financial obligation to Actors' Equity, then no, they would not have the right to place him on a "do not work for" list. They could try, but it would never hold up in any court.

That list is not limited to financial obligations. It covers anything contractual. Just based on what has been reported and discussed in the last few days, there are plenty of breaches. And they would hold up in court. (Note, please, I am not saying that this is the way this should be handled, but we might as well get the facts right, no?

2. I don't believe Rudin is a member of the Broadway League (I could be wrong). But in any event -- they are not a union, they are a coalition and have no jurisdiction whatsoever.

He is very much a member of the league. There are rules, which he may well have broken, and they do have the ability to kick him out, which he would not want, but here again, this is not a sensible way to handle this.


3. His "business partners" are his investors on a show by show basis -- should they refuse to accept any checks from him and walk away fromany investments they have already made to his shows?

His business partners are far broader than the investors and co-producers. Landlords, ad agencies (another kettle of fish for him), production shops, and in effect every union. The investors can embargo him, and that would be devastating. (I am not saying this would happen but any and all of these things are possible in theory.)

4. What does "the" Lincoln Center have to do with anything?

A lot. He has produced 4 shows with them including, most pertinently, Mockingbird. How would this play out? I have no idea but if we want to talk about institutional pressure on him, LCT is right up at the top.
"
I want to say one word to you, JSquared2. Just one word. Bedslats.

Updated On: 4/15/21 at 08:10 PM