Smerconish: ‘Am I Complicit’ If I Watch Movies or Shows Featuring Men Accused of Sexual Misconduct?
In a monologue at the end of this morning’s broadcast of Smerconish, CNN’s Michael Smerconish wondered aloud what the responsibility of consumers is now in the wake of the #MeToo movement that has led to a multitude of men in entertainment being accused of sexual misconduct and harassment.
“Every day the arts sections are filled with new allegations of bad behavior, of cultural icons from actor Dustin Hoffman allegedly groping a Broadway co-star to the Metropolitan Opera conductor James Levine’s alleged relationship with an underaged boy,” the CNN host noted. “If I listen to an old recording of the Met or I rewatch Tootsie, am I complicit?”
He added, “In other words can we as consumers continue to enjoy the fruits of the labor of those who are now under a cloud of suspicion?”
Smerconish went on to state that these questions aren’t new as we’ve dealt with troubling behavior from artistic icons in the past, naming Michael Jackson, Woody Allen and Pablo Picasso. This led to him pointing out that he finds himself “wrestling with so many questions” before naming a list of shows, movies, radio programs and podcasts that featured recently accused men, asking if he could still enjoy them.
“People in the public eye tend to be larger than life by the definition but when we hear the sordid details, what does it mean with our past relationships to their work?” Smerconish questioned. “I’m having trouble making up my mind.”
He ended the segment by showing the results of a poll he had posted online earlier, showing the vast majority of respondents replying that they could still view or listen to an accused creator’s work.
Watch the clip above, via CNN.
[image via screengrab]
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