"Disgraced CBS anchor Charlie Rose is being slated to star in a show where he’ll interview other high-profile men who have also been toppled by #MeToo scandals." https://t.co/OKUrim3SV6
— Dana Rubinstein (@danarubinstein) April 26, 2018
This *has* to be regarded as a trial balloon, since nobody who’s been in professional media longer than a week would ‘casually’ mention such a scoop to Tina Brown without expecting her to share it widely. I blame Donny Dollhands and his GOP enablers — those goniffs have cranked the news cycle for ‘powerful men acting out their worst fantasies’ so high, every other walking nutsack figures they’ve got cover.
From Vanity Fair, which has been at the glossiest intersection between pop culture and politics since it was revived during the Reagan era:
… The question here seems obvious: who on earth is making this proposed series, and in what universe do they imagine viewers will tune in?
Rose was fired from CBS This Morning and his eponymous PBS show last fall following allegations of sexual harassment from multiple women; in a statement given at the time, Rose apologized, but denied the accuracy of some allegations. “I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings,” Rose said, “even though I now realize I was mistaken.” Rose’s agent did not immediately respond to V.F.’s request for comment regarding the new project.
Why would anyone think a series in which Rose interviews other men who have been accused of sexual misconduct is a good or necessary idea? That might remain a mystery—but the report should also be received with skepticism, since as of yet, it’s unclear who is actually trying to make this series happen…
Without knowing who is behind this potential project, it’s hard to know how likely it is to come to fruition. Though one might think toppled Hollywood titans wouldn’t want to draw attention to themselves with TV appearances, such a thing wouldn’t be completely outside the realm of P.R. possibility; Ben Affleck, James Franco, and Billy Bush have all logged late-night appearances to talk about the controversies that have surrounded them in the wake of #MeToo revelations or allegations. And as Roseanne’s massive ratings success has proven over at ABC, Nielsen does not distinguish hate-watches from earnest ones. So while it’s difficult to imagine Charlie Rose’s supposed #MeToo redemption series making it to the screen—and it’s worth regarding the very idea of such a series with a large grain of salt—perhaps it’s best not to write the project off completely just yet.
One difference even I can spot: Affleck, Franco, Bush, and Sara Gilbert (the executive producer / driving force behind the Roseanne reboot) are all at least a generation younger than guys like Rose and Weinstein, and there’s evidence that members of top advertiser-desirable demographics actually want to see them on screen. Matt Lauer’s borderline — he might be young enough to pull off a comeback, at least on a cable channel aimed at the adult-incontinence-and-diabetes-meds market — but that’s even more reason he shouldn’t want to publicly bracket himself with the other ‘Cosby, only White’ putzes, yes?
With sorrowful mini violins.
— J Haz (@largelingerie) April 26, 2018
How about if this is conducted in a very remote cave. And also there’s no cameras and microphones. And also there’s no way out. https://t.co/aIRcfhn4pW
— Schooley (@Rschooley) April 26, 2018
Really excited for 2020, when Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose are assigned to hector candidate Gillibrand about her compliance with email server management best practices
— Scott Lemieux (@LemieuxLGM) April 26, 2018
"…in which they’d interview Louis C.K., Matt Lauer” and others caught up in the #MeToo sexual harassment scandals."
THEY WEREN'T CAUGHT UP IN IT, THEY WERE THE CAUSE. OMG FUCK THIS RIGHT OFF A CLIFF. pic.twitter.com/f2HTBcrY0f
— Heather Archuletta (@Pillownaut) April 26, 2018
99 Lustballoons Open Thread: The Charlie Rose Show ProposalPost + Comments (176)