Feb. 10, 2021 "'Buffy' and 'Angel' star Charisma Carpenter speaks out on Joss Whedon's alleged 'toxic' behavior: 'I can no longer remain silent'": Today I found this article by Ethan Alter on Yahoo news. This is some crazy news. This kind of adds into #Metoo, but more like Joss Whedon's poor behavior:
Months after Ray Fisher accused Joss Whedon of "unacceptable" on-set behavior during the turbulent production of 2017's Justice League, Charisma Carpenter is speaking out about her own experience working with the writer and director on his signature TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. In a two-part Twitter post that was
hashtagged #IStandwithRayFisher, the actress reveals that she participated in WarnerMedia's investigation into Whedon's conduct in the wake of Fisher's claims — an investigation that officially concluded in December following Whedon's November announcement that he was stepping away from his HBO series, The Nevers. "I believe Ray to be a person of integrity who is telling the truth," writes Carpenter, adding that Fisher's firing from Warner's upcoming The Flash feature was the "last straw" that encouraged her to speak up.
There was no immedate comment from Whedon, but eponymous Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar posted a statement distancing herself from the show's creator on Instagram.
"While I am proud to have my name associated with Buffy Summers, I don't want to be forever associated with the name Joss Whedon," Gellar writes.
"I stand with all survivors of abuse and am proud of them for speaking out." Gellar's onscreen sister, Michelle Trachtenberg, reposted the statement on her own Instagram, writing that she also had negative experiences with Whedon during her time on the show.
"I am brave enough now as a 35 year old woman to repost this. Because this must be known. As a teenager, with his not appropriate behavior — very not appropriate."
Carpenter writes that Whedon's behavior troubled her from the beginning of their working relationship on the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which debuted on The WB network in 1997. The actress played Sunnydale High snob-turned-Scooby Gang member, Cordelia Chase, on the critically-acclaimed series, which transformed the cast, and its creator, into fan favorites within the genre community.
Behind the scenes, though, Carpenter says that Whedon frequently "abused his power" on set. "While he found his misconduct amusing, it only served to intensify my performance anxiety, disempower me, and alienate me from my peers. The disturbing incidents triggered a chronic physical condition from which I still suffer."
After three seasons on Buffy, Carpenter joined fellow cast member, David Boreanaz, on the spinoff series Angel, which premiered in 1999. During the show's fourth season, Carpenter became pregnant with her son, Donovan, and the writers wrote her pregnancy into the show in a divisive storyline.
Describing a closed-door meeting with Whedon after he first learned of her pregnancy, Carpenter says that he asked if he was going to keep her child, and then "manipulatively weaponized my womanhood and my faith against me.
He proceeded to attack my character, mock my religious beliefs, accuse me of sabatoging the show and then unceremoniously fired me the following season once I gave birth."
According to the actress, Whedon's behavior continued to grow increasingly hostile, writing that he called her "fat" in front of the cast and crew and forced her to work long days despite her doctor's recommendation that she limit her time on set. At the end of the season, Carpenter was written off the series, although she returned for one episode in the fifth and final season where Cordelia was officially killed off.
Reflecting on why she didn't feel able to speak up sooner, Carpenter notes that "a part of me still sought his validation," adding that she would make excuses for Whedon's behavior and expressed her desire to work with him again at fan conventions.
"Only recently... do I understand the complexities of this demoralized thinking," she writes. "Our society and industry vilify the victims and glorify the abusers for their accomplishments. The onus is on the abused with an expectation to accept and adapt to be employable. No accountability on the transgressor who sails on unscathed."
After posting her statement, Carpenter received an outpouring of support from fans and colleagues, including Fisher and fellow Buffy cast member Amber Benson.
Feb. 16, 2021 "David Boreanaz supports 'Angel' co-star Charisma Carpenter following Joss Whedon allegations": This article is by Suzy Exposito on the Los Angeles Times:
Actor David Boreanaz, who famously played Angel on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” is the latest cast member to express support for former costar Charisma Carpenter, who alleged misconduct by series producer Joss Whedon.
Carpenter, known for her breakout role as Buffy’s high school nemesis Cordelia Chase, accused Whedon of creating a hostile environment on set, which she alleged included retaliatory behavior and harassment during her pregnancy.
“Joss Whedon abused his power on numerous occasions while working together on the sets of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Angel,’” wrote Carpenter last Wednesday in a Twitter thread.
“The disturbing incidents triggered a chronic physical condition from which I still suffer. It is with a beating, heavy heart that I say I coped in isolation and, at times, destructively.”
On Sunday, Boreanaz wrote a response to Carpenter’s tweet: “I am here for you to listen and support you. Proud of your strength.”
“I know you’re there for me, David,” replied Carpenter. “I appreciate all you’ve done to demonstrate that support privately as well.”
Carpenter initially shared her story in solidarity with actor Ray Fisher, who previously accused Whedon of “gross, abusive” behavior on the set of the 2017 superhero film “Justice League,” in which he portrayed DC Extended Universe character Cyborg.
Carpenter also said she participated in WarnerMedia’s internal investigation of Whedon, as well as “Justice League” producers Geoff Johns and Jon Berg, which has since concluded.
Johns was formerly DC Entertainment’s president and chief creative officer, while Berg was formerly Warner Bros.’ copresident of production. Both ended those roles as the company reevaluated its approach to DC films following the release of “Justice League.”
Warner Bros., which competed its investigation in December, declined to comment beyond an earlier statement.
“The investigation was conducted by an outside law firm and led by a former federal judge,” the studio said. “More than 80 people were interviewed. We have full confidence in its thoroughness and integrity, and remedial action has been taken.”
A representative for Whedon declined to comment.
Warner Bros. does not own either of Whedon’s TV series, which ran in the late 1990s and early 2000s. “Buffy” and “Angel” were owned and distributed by 20th Century Fox Television, now Disney.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the lead role in “Buffy,” responded to the allegations on her Instagram page, writing: “While I am proud to have my name associated with Buffy Summers, I don’t want to be forever associated with the name Joss Whedon.”
Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Dawn Summers in the series, followed with her own statement against Whedon: “There was a rule. Saying. He’s not allowed in a room alone with Michelle again,” she wrote in the caption of an Instagram post.
Former costar Amber Benson chimed in, stating, “Buffy was a toxic environment and it starts at the top.”
On Saturday, Adam Busch, Tom Lenk and Danny Strong, who all played villains in Season 6 of “Buffy,” joined the ranks of supporters on Twitter. “I support Charisma, Sarah, Amber & Michelle,” wrote Busch. “I admire their courage and leadership. The truth is powerful and it prevails.”
Times staff writers Christi Carras and Nardine Saad contributed to this report.
My opinion:
1. What really stood out to me the most was that there was a rule that Michelle Trachtenberg was not allowed to be alone with Joss Whedon.
2. I thought it was really nice that David Boreanez support Charisma Carpenter. I thought it was also nice that Adam Busch, Tom Lenk, and Danny Strong also support the female stars. They weren't that big a part of the show, but as supporting characters.
This is from my Mar. 2021 blog post:
"#MeToo movement becomes #WeToo in in victim-blaming Japan"/ "Outrage as women in Japan told not wear glasses in the workplace"
"You never look good when you are trying to make someone else look bad."- Unknown
Cham: Sometimes people need to be exposed for who they are hahah or maybe I should stop being petty
Tracy Au: There's a difference between trying to make someone look bad, and exposing them for who they are. It's like those #MeToo accusers and victims, they are plainly telling everybody about the perpetrators. They're not trying to make them look bad.
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