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Harvey Weinstein: Hollywood’s Open Secret — and Punch Line

As Hollywood opened up about the alleged sexual harassment by Harvey Weinstein, our reporter found that the industry had been making references about him in TV shows and awards programs for years.

“Congratulations, you five ladies no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein.” Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual misconduct has been an open secret in Hollywood for decades. And I think there’s a lot of reasons for that. One of them is definitely the power dynamic. He is a person who had a lot of power, and the women who claimed to be his victims usually did not. They were at the start of their careers. They maybe didn’t feel like they had a recourse to talk about it. There was a sense that there wouldn’t necessarily be any accountability for somebody of Harvey Weinstein’s stature. He was known especially for producing movies that got you to the Oscar, which is what every actor and filmmaker wants to get. “Thank you, Harvey Weinstein.” One of the interesting things about this case is there were a few examples of it coming to light in pop culture. You know, the very people who were affected in some way or at least knew about this misbehavior were addressing it. “Has someone coerced into being here?” “Do you count Harvey Weinstein as a coercer?” “Harvey Weinstein is a — I don’t know whether he’s in some kind of organized crime now.” In 1998, Gwyneth Paltrow appeared on “David Letterman.” She was starring in “Shakespeare in Love” at the time, the movie that ultimately got her an Oscar, thanks to Harvey Weinstein’s savvy Oscar campaigning. She mentioned him on the show in a way that, in retrospect, raised a red flag. “Harvey said, I’ll tell you what, go on and talk about your movie. Is that what Harvey said?” “Yeah.” “And in return, what will Harvey do for you?” “Nothing.” Asia Argento, the actress and filmmaker, wrote a scene that was said to be inspired by Harvey in her film “Scarlett Diva.” It’s a harrowing moment. “I’m not the big bad wolf. Just think of me as a teddy bear.” “O.K.” “Why don’t you suck it?” On a red carpet, Courtney Love even referenced Harvey Weinstein’s reputation in Hollywood. The HBO series “Entourage,” which skewered Hollywood culture, had a character named Harvey Weingarten that bore more than a passing resemblance. “Do you know who I am? You’re going to beg to get back into the pizza business.” Harvey Weinstein has been thanked possibly more than any other person from the Oscar stage. “Harvey Weinstein.” “Harvey Weinstein.” “Harvey.” But Kate Winslet pointedly left him out of her acceptance speech for “The Reader.” She didn’t mention any sexual misconduct, but she said that he had been very difficult to deal with on set. Some of the most pointed commentary came from episodes of “30 Rock,” in which an actress character referenced having to have a relationship with Harvey. “You don’t want to mess with Weird Al.” “Oh please. I’m not afraid of anyone in show business. I turned down intercourse with Harvey Weinstein on no less than three occasions.” I think it’s interesting to see this stuff pop up in pop culture. It may have been an outlet for these writers and directors. If they didn’t feel they could address this in an institutional way, in a legal way, they could at least address it in the work that they did. “I know how former lovers can have a hold over you long after they’re gone. In some ways, I’m still pinned under a passed out Harvey Weinstein and it’s Thanksgiving.”

The #MeToo Moment

Sexual Harassment After Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein: Hollywood’s Open Secret — and Punch Line

By Natalia V. Osipova, Melena Ryzik and Sarah Kerr October 19, 2017

As Hollywood opened up about the alleged sexual harassment by Harvey Weinstein, our reporter found that the industry had been making references about him in TV shows and awards programs for years.

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