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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 27 OctOber 2017
NBC News takes Mark Halperin off air after harassment claims

NEW YORK (AP) — MSNBC cause I thought I was the
says journalist Mark Halperin only one, and I blamed my-
has been suspended from self, and I was embarrassed
his role as network contrib- and I was scared of him.”
utor following charges from CNN international corre-
five women who claimed spondent Clarissa Ward,
he sexually harassed them who also used to work at
while he was an ABC News ABC, tweeted that Hal-
executive. perin’s behavior was “an
The network said Thursday open secret” at the net-
it found Halperin’s conduct work. She saluted the wom-
as described in a CNN story en who came forward in
“very troubling” and that the CNN story.
the veteran political re- “Let’s be very clear — the
porter will be off the air un- one responsible for any
til questions about his past sexual misconduct that
are fully understood. may have taken place is
Halperin has apologized for the man who instigated it,”
what he termed inappro- Ward tweeted, “NOT the
priate behavior, and ABC women who were victims
said Thursday that no com- of it, nor their friends and
plaints were filed against colleagues who tried to
him during his tenure, support them through it.”
which ended more than a Halperin, the co-author
decade ago. of the best-selling book
The women, who asked to “Game Change,” told CNN
remain anonymous, said Wednesday night that he’s
they didn’t report Hal- “deeply sorry” and is taking In this Aug. 11, 2016 file photo, producer Mark Halperin participate in “The Circus of Politics” panel
perin’s conduct because a “step back” from day-to- during the Showtime Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif.
they feared retribution or day work to deal with the Associated Press
were embarrassed. situation. CNN says he denies the an emailed statement. cus,’” the network said.
But Emily Miller, a former His statement came af- groping allegations. Showtime, where Halperin On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”
ABC employee who is now ter CNN reported allega- HBO said Thursday that it is has co-hosted the politi- Thursday, co-host Mika
a reporter at One America tions that Halperin prop- spiking plans for a minise- cal series “The Circus,” said Brzezinski informed view-
News Network, retweet- ositioned, fondled and ries based on an upcoming Thursday it had not heard ers about Halperin. He has
ed the Halperin story on pushed himself against five book about the 2016 presi- of any allegations of un- been a frequent panelist
Thursday with the hashtag women in the early 2000s dential election by Hal- toward behavior. “We are on the show.
“#MeToo.” while he was ABC News’ perin and John Heilemann. aware of these reports and “We’re going to be follow-
She gave no details of political director. “HBO has no tolerance for will continue to evaluate ing this story as it develops,”
her alleged incident, but Halperin says he pursued sexual harassment within all options should we de- she said. “I’m sure we’ll be
tweeted that she did not relationships, sometimes the company or its produc- cide to move forward with talking about it again when
report Halperin to ABC “be- with junior co-workers, but tions,” the company said in another season of ‘The Cir- we know more about it.”q

Sarah Silverman seeks common ground, giggles in Hulu series

By LYNN ELBER son.” The 10-episode series Live” colleague. A main-
AP Television Writer combines an expansive stay of “I Love You, Amer-
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) version of a talk show with ica,” Silverman’s father,
— Sarah Silverman’s new field pieces in which Silver- Donald, dispenses poolside
Hulu series boasts intriguing man meets Americans out- pearls of wisdom from Flor-
contradictions, just like the side the East-West coastal ida. Oscar-winning screen-
comedian. “bubbles.” In one visit, she writer Adam McKay (“The
She’s a winsome charm- chewed over gay mar- Big Short”), an executive
er yet fearlessly blunt on riage and the 2016 election producer on the series, said
stage. “I Love You, Ameri- during a meal with a Loui- the intent is to avoid falling
ca” sets the lofty goal of try- siana family that voted for into a left-right divide and
ing to help an at-odds na- Donald Trump and, in Sil- instead take a common-
tion find common ground verman, met their first Jew- sense approach to issues
while gleefully indulging in ish acquaintance. The epi- such as economic inequal-
fart gags. That such humor sode out Thursday includes ity. The approach is “to be
may help bridge the divide comic Tig Notaro; a satiri- funny, to be visceral, to be This image released by Hulu shows Sarah Silverman from her
is the method to the show’s cal look at children’s Hal- human,” McKay said. “It’s Hulu series, “I Love You, America,” in Los Angeles.
madness, although Silver- loween costumes to scare not to be heady. It’s not to Associated Press
man downplays its likely in- conservatives (a female be theoretical. And I don’t people really want. AP: This a terrible choice for any
fluence. God) and liberals (a Trump think anyone does that bet- show seems more like your commercial campaign. ...
“It’s a half-hour show on supporter with a doctoral ter than Sarah. That’s her antidote to the angry politi- I keep my overhead very
streaming television,” she degree), and Silverman’s gift.” In an interview, Silver- cal climate than a career low and it’s given me im-
said. “It’s not going to interview with Sen. Al Fran- man talked with The Asso- move. mense freedom in my cre-
change the world. If I put ken, the Minnesota Demo- ciated Press about how she Silverman: Nothing I do is ative choices, and what I
that pressure on myself, I crat who’s her friend and approaches her work and actually good for your wal- feel OK to be outspoken
would be an insane per- former “Saturday Night social media, and what let. I’m totally divisive, I’m about. q