Page 29 - ARUBA TODAY

PEOPLE/ARTS Wednesday 1 november 2017
A29

‘House of Cards’ filming suspended; new Spacey allegations

By LYNN ELBER and MARK Isaiah Washington over
KENNEDY Washington’s use of a gay
AP Entertainment Writer slur regarding another cast
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hol- member.
lywood’s widening sexual After Washington repeat-
harassment crisis brought ed the slur at the 2007
forth a second actor’s al- Golden Globes while de-
legation against Kevin nying he had used it, ABC
Spacey on Tuesday, halt- rebuked him publicly, as
ed production on his Netf- did co-star Katherine Heigl.
lix series “House of Cards” He was subsequently fired,
and prompted CBS to in- and the medical drama
vestigate an actress’ claim from TV hitmaker Shonda
she was groped by Jeremy Rhimes sailed on even as
Piven. Washington blamed rac-
Mexican actor Robert ism for his treatment.
Cavazos wrote on his Bill Cosby has felt the pro-
Facebook page that he fessional as well as legal
encountered Spacey at brunt of multiple accusa-
the bar of London’s Old tions of decades-old sexual
Vic Theatre, where Spacey offenses.Three years ago,
was artistic director, and when multiple women
the actor tried to fondle accused Bill Cosby of de-
him against his will. This image released by Netflix shows Kevin Spacey in a scene from “House Of Cards.” Netflix says cades-old sexual offenses,
“It was more common for it’s suspending production on “House of Cards” following harassment allegations against Spacey. the comedian’s ambitious
this guy, when he was in Associated Press standup comedy tour was
the bar of his theater, grab- dotted with cancellations,
bing whoever caught his though the streaming net- legations against Harvey During the 1950s “red NBC dropped develop-
attention,” Cavazos wrote. work said the decision was Weinstein and that he had scare,” Brooks said, “I Love ment of a new show with
“I didn’t stand for it, but I made before the BuzzFeed never been in that situa- Lucy” star Lucille Ball was him and Netflix pulled the
know some people who News report on Spacey last tion. accused of being a com- plug on a stand-up special.
were afraid to stop it.” weekend. The network has Bellamar’s credits include munist sympathizer. The An actor’s popularity with
Cavazos declined an in- not commented on plans “Suicide Squad” and “The sitcom co-starred her hus- his cast mates can deter-
terview request. There was for a Gore Vidal biopic star- Hangover Part III” and the band, Desi Arnaz, who took mine his fate, Brooks said.
no immediate reply to a ring Spacey that is currently reality series “Beverly Hills action. “If they like him, if they get
request for comment from in production. Nannies.” “Desi came out before a along with him, it’s easy
representatives for Spac- The pause in production Netflix’s actions involving studio taping and said, ‘The enough to say, ‘If I don’t
ey, who was artistic direc- Tuesday shadows the fate “House of Cards” are rare only thing red about Lucy is get my career ruined in
tor from 2004-15. of the last season. in an industry that puts her hair, and even that’s this, I’ll stick with him,’” he
In a statement Tuesday, the Also Tuesday, CBS said it is commerce first. not real,’” using humor to said.How Spacey’s cast
theater expressed “deep “looking into” a claim by Shows are infrequently de- effectively defuse the situa- mates are reacting to the
dismay” at the sexual as- actress and reality star Ari- railed by concerns other tion, Brooks said. The show’s allegations remains to be
sault allegations and said ane Bellamar that Emmy- than their ratings perfor- No. 1 status also helped. seen. Robin Wright, who
“inappropriate behavior winning “Entourage” star mance, said TV historian Popularity and audience stars opposite Spacey as
by anyone working at The Piven groped her on two and former network execu- acceptance of a star’s per- his wife, hasn’t comment-
Old Vic is completely un- occasions. tive Tim Brooks. sonal issues aided “Mickey ed publicly, but her Twitter
acceptable.” On her Twitter account “It usually depends on how Spillane’s Mike Hammer” feed includes a number of
In recent days, Hollywood Monday, Bellamar alleged popular the show is, not to when lead actor Stacey posts backing social issues
has reacted swiftly to al- that one encounter took put too fine a point on it,” Keach served six months in including female rights
legations of sexual harass- place in Piven’s trailer on Brooks said Tuesday. jail for a drug-related arrest and education.Netflix and
ment and assault: Harvey the “Entourage” set and The widespread tumult has in England in the mid-1980s. “House of Cards” produc-
Weinstein was fired from the other occurred at the prompted unusual actions, The 1984-85 season was er Media Rights Capital
the company he founded Playboy Mansion. such as Weinstein being cut short but the series re- had already decided to
within days after initial re- CBS airs Piven’s new series, booted from industry orga- turned in 1986 with Keach end the series at the end
ports of sexual harassment “Wisdom of the Crowd.” nizations, and created a aboard and a revised title, of next season, its sixth, but
were published in The A representative for Piven climate of uncertainty. But “The New Mike Hammer.” It on Tuesday they chose
New York Times earlier this didn’t immediately respond a look back shows that Hol- aired until 1987 on CBS. to pause the production,
month. to a request for comment. lywood has dealt with dis- “Grey’s Anatomy” was which is filmed in Baltimore,
On Monday, Netflix said In a Monday interview with ruption before, with even swamped by controversy “to give us time to review
it would end “House of The Associated Press, Piven beloved shows and actors in late 2006 when an on-set the current situation and to
Cards” after its upcoming said he was glad people fighting to keep their bal- scuffle broke out between address any concerns of
sixth and final season, al- had come forward with al- ance amid controversy. stars Patrick Dempsey and our cast and crew.” q