By Kevin Price, National News Editor, USADC.
Let me preface this by making something perfectly clear — I believe the idea of treating everyone with mutual respect is long overdue and that the exploitation of those perceived as weaker by those seen as stronger, should have long been swept away in our history. I have a wife, I am the father of a daughter, and the grandfather of three granddaughters. I strongly support the effort to end the predatory environment that has long been a dark part of our society.
The vast majority of those on the list have essentially found themselves in exile. Some are simply going on “extended vacations” around the world. Others are holding themselves up in their own homes. Very few of them are publicly discussing a “comeback.”
With that, I have been noting some changes going on when it comes to the results of the #MeToo movement. It was just October of last year when media mogul Harvey Weinstein was exposed for his alleged abuse and mistreatment of women. Following that, accusations spreaded like wildfire and some of the biggest names in entertainment and politics began to fall like flies. In fact, Vox reported in April of this year that there have been over 200 major names that have been accused of such misconduct since the same time last year, from several different fields.
The vast majority of those on the list have essentially found themselves in exile. Some are simply going on “extended vacations” around the world. Others are holding themselves up in their own homes. Very few of them are publicly discussing a “comeback.” However, some of them are — and others are beyond that. To me, the thought of such was unthinkable just a month ago. But everyday I am seeing more stories about accused #MeToo perpetrators coming out of their exiles.
The first accused I noticed was Eric Bolling, formerly of Fox News. Bolling was one of the first to be accused during the #MeToo rising. Immediately upon being let go from the network, he had the tragic news of the death of his only child, Eric Chase Bolling of a drug overdose. He has since been quietly promoting his books (and his friend, Donald Trump) and doing interviews about his son’s passing, however, that all changed with the announcement that he was coming back to TV through CRTV. CRTV is no Fox News, but it is a growing and influential web based streaming network. Founded by the popular radio talk show host, Mark Levin, the network includes other major names in conservative media. I have yet to see what he will be paid, but I think simply getting back on a significant platform is very important for Bolling. I would not be surprised if there is an equity deal in this in which he gets a percentage of the company. I have heard very few criticize this announcement in the media.
The second accused I have heard about that crashed and burned due to accusations from the #MeToo movement — and is now poised to return to TV is Bill O’Reilly. O’Reilly was, for years, the most important player at the Fox News Network. He made millions there and it is said he cost the network millions after accusations of sexual harassment against him. His dramatic fall and departure likely sent a warning shot over the bow of everybody that nobody is exempt if accused of sexual harassment. Virtually overnight O’Reilly started his own premium web program platform that has put him easily accessible to his large fan base and has created a revenue stream for him. But that is not enough for O’Reilly and rumor has it he is now in talks with Newsmax about having his own show. Again, Newsmax is not Fox News, but it is a significant cable property with a large footprint in media. Nothing has formally happened, so there is nothing for the #MeToo movement to protest. But there has not been even a whimper, that I have seen, about the prospect.
The third one accused and on the road back may be the most surprising, which is news that T.J Miller will be playing Deadpool’s best buddy in the next installment of the franchise. The Daily Beast reports “It’s odd and off-putting, then, given Wilson’s queerness and history of sexual abuse, to see the actor T.J. Miller appear in this weekend’s Deadpool 2 as his best pal, Weasel.
“Miller’s erratic behavior has been whispered about for years, leading to his eventual dismissal from the hit HBO series Silicon Valley last year. Prior to that, a month after the presidential election, Miller was arrested for allegedly attacking an Uber driver due to an argument over then-President-elect Trump. But the biggest bombshell came in December, when The Daily Beast’s Asawin Suebsaeng reported that a woman, who wished to remain anonymous, had accused Miller of a violent sexual assault while the two were at George Washington University.”
The Daily Beast reports “It’s odd and off-putting, then, given Wilson’s queerness and history of sexual abuse, to see the actor T.J. Miller appear in this weekend’s Deadpool 2 as his best pal, Weasel.
Other than this article from The Daily Beast, I have not seen much about Miller’s return. However, he might be the perfect test as to how much pull the #MeToo movement has.
Americans love to forgive and forget. It is the home of second chances. Meanwhile there is significant number of media out there that are relatively small and want to get bigger; just as there are plenty of fallen celebrities vying for a second chance. Also, I think Americans have memories like gnats. In no time I believe many will be watching the formerly disgraced and will be asking, “what did he get in trouble for?”
If #MeToo is already in decline, I must say, that was quick.
