Interesting how those listed who were verbally (and possibly otherwise) assaulted by Tambor were all female, and those defending him in this interview were all male. It seems like his bullying behaviors are directed at women, while the men all make excuses for him because he is an “artist” — and because it seems they were not subjected to his tirades in the same way the women were. A bully is a bully, and one who assaults women specifically is a misogynist. The men making excuses for him (Bateman most especially) are enablers who diminish Tambor’s boorish behavior, and poor Walter feeling like she has to forgive such behavior is tragic. I used to enjoy Tambor’s work, but his reported abuses make it difficult to watch him now.
31
I couldn't read the whole discussion after Bateman explained how the film industry works to a veteran actor of 60 years! You can also just count the few times Jessica Walter was actually allowed to speak and how many times when she opened her mouth she was interrupted......
And then she gets yelled at on the set by that horrible Tambor and the rest of the male cast keeps on defending him....
23
I skipped this interview days ago because I'm not into wasting my limited time on this planet consuming media that celebrates creepy dysfunctional families, trump voters, or meth cooking in RVs outside of Albuquerque (I still can't wrap my head around why anyone could even be interested in that last subject unless they're meth users themselves). Too much real life happening out there and so much more enlightening and uplifting media that aims to make the planet better, not celebrating the worst of humanity.
Then I came across a Huffpost piece that excoriated the NYTimes for not only allowing sexist bullying in the interview and giving such a platform to a long-known bully, but for the way the interview promotes and normalizes such behavior, despite the metoo movement. I had to come back to see with my own eyes the stupendous hypocrisy of the NYTimes. You say you support change but then give this known bully and his sycophantic male enablers such a platform with nary an editorial comment on the cognitive dissonance this interview makes of your progressive positions? I don't get it, at all.
And those of you who watch this stuff are celebrating and enabling it as well. There's a reason Netflix green-lighted the behavior in the interview by renewing the show: you, the viewer.
13
The newly coined term, toxic male behavior is showing up everywhere. It has become tantamount to assault if not actual rape. May I toss in another term that hasn't been coined but is exemplified everywhere. Ms Walters tears were an example of toxic female behavior. That is, toxic female behavior that crushes all other actions or opinions in its path. Toxic female behavior that says "look at me--I am hurt, I have been damaged for life, my attacker must be hounded out of his profession, his life and career mean nothing in comparison to the pain I still feel after (umpteen) years of remembering that he yelled at me once, GET him." Toxic female behavior that demands apologies from the monster who yelled at her, no matter how long ago, as well as apologies from all others of his sex in the room or in the business or in the world. Toxic female behavior that can talk of forgiveness as just another method of reminding the world of the life-changing pain she still feels about an incident from his and her past. We aren't even entitled to know if he had a reason for yelling, like--for example--not having completely prepared for a scene, a transgression that I, a woman, might have yelled at as well.
5
She didn't demand anything.
And lots of us get through our work days without screaming at co-workers.
21
The person who might complain to an actor about lack of preparation is the Director. Tambor is just another actor, he has no authority over her.
Suppose you work in a cubicle in office and you decide to REPEATEDLY yell/bully the person working in the cubicle next to you. Wouldn't you get fired? (where did you come up with your "once"?)
Jessica Walter's crying is the result of being bullied over and over again by that nasty jerk while the rest of the cast remained indifferent. Notice the rest of the cast was not being bullied by Tambor, only she was. It's enough to make anyone with a conscience cry.....
Margret, do you think bullies have a reason for their bullying? Do you believe that it's the victims fault for being bullied? Are you opposed to all anti-bullying laws enacted by some states as well anti-bullying rules set down in some schools?
Do yourself a favor and read some books or articles about bulling. Often the bullies suffer from abuse at home and then pass it on.....
If you were a bully once, perhaps you should forgive yourself by seeking forgiveness. Many bullies grow up to be horrified at their past actions. But in this case the title of the series "Arrested development" seems particularly appropriate.
PS: the bullying didn't happen "long time ago" it was happening just now as the new season was being filmed.
10
I don't usually respond to replies to a comment, but this calls for one. I am not a bully. I have supervised many people and I have never yelled at anyone on my staff. In a 40 year career, I have been yelled at several times, in every single case by a woman. I did, however, have high standards of preparation and performance and I always tried to kindly but firmly get that across.
My problem with Ms Walter was that to me she is in fact a stealth bullier. The cast was attempting to rebuild rapport among the players because sometimes forgiveness is a possibility. But Ms Walter felt the need to bring up an old incident to publicly humiliate Mr Tambor once again when he least expected it. Her tears were to me suspect because who can keep summoning tears about old incidents unless there is a devious motive, in this case to add yet another humiliation to everything that Mr Tambor has to live down.
I have no special desire to defend Mr Tambor and I'm not a fan of any of his shows. But the "misconduct" transgressions of which he was accused were in no way comparable to those of Weinberg, Louis C.K. or others. The cast of Arrested Development were obviously trying to give him that good old American second chance. In today's vigilante environment, however, nobody gets even a first chance to explain, let alone a second chance. And just in case this wasn't clear to Mr Tambor and the guys who were trying to be kind and supportive, Ms Walter made very sure that their efforts would fail.
I used to work at a ranch on the Big Island of Hawai’i on some weekends when the staff needed a breather from the tourists.
The islands ARE open for business 365 days a year. We had a van that sat 12 people plus the driver and went from hotel to hotel within 15 miles of the ranch with the two hour trail ride. Very low key, these horses were VERY gentle. We even had moveable stairs so that the tourists especially the Asian tourists who had never seen a horse before could get on.
Day was planned out carefully saying what time the van would get to each hotel and when it would leave. Appropriate clothing including full length pants, full length sleeves and no flip-flops to prevent sunburn and scratches from the tall thistles. A hat or cap wasn’t necessary as EVERYONE (including the trail guides) had to wear protective helmets.
No one could weigh over 200# for the sake of the horses. (The Grand Canyon has a similar weight restriction for the mule ride.)
Jeffrey began by being 15 minutes late, then waiting ANOTHER 30 MINUTES for the young blonde woman who was with him.
Wrong clothes--They BOTH wore bathing suits. They both refused to to wear helmets--the guides had never run into this problem before. We had light windbreakers and chaps to wear...but they refused them.
Tambor was WELL over 200# but WE were wrong. We finally saddled up a Clydesdale used for wagon rides. Jeff said “Arabian!”
Tambor would yell, spook the horses. Insisted he was experienced.
Never change!
19
Maybe it was different in the room than reading it on the page, but I felt mad at Jason Bateman on Jessica Walter's behalf as I read this. I know there's more to the story than what's contained in this article but it felt like Bateman was trying to rationalize Tambor mistreating Walter and in the process trivialize Walter's feelings. Something about the conversation felt off.
16
Jason Bateman's outright belittling of Jessica Walter's experience, celebration of Jeffrey Tambor, and hogging of air when it was a woman who had been questioned about her experience is insulting and sickening. I was a fan.
19
I was actually unable to keep reading this, I was so angry at the way the men ganged up against Jessica Walter. I was also angry at the interviewer for letting the men take over and talk over the women. And agree that the Times used click bait in the headline: what did Tambor yell at Ms. Walter? This would let us understand the depth of Ms. Walter's distress and the actual level of harassment that was happening on the set. Tambor's cheeriness in the face of Ms. Walter's pain was repulsive. I don't think I'll be watching anymore, knowing the "level of testosterone" that's on the set of this show.
13
Jason Bateman is in love with the phrase "not to belittle," by which he means "Let me jump in here and belittle what you've just said."
I've always been a fan, but things change. Not to belittle.
31
I wish someone would interview dancers and what they have to deal with, with certain choreographers. Talk about verbal abuse. There's quite a story there if anyone is interested.
9
A good choreographer doesnt belittle the performers. That's not how you get good performance. Same as with a good director...
However in this case your comparison doesn't work because Tambor is not the director, he's just an actor like Jessica Walter is.
(except that Jessica Walter has been more successful than Tambor ---could that be the reason Tambor has been belittling her?)
4
“When someone says you hurt them, you don’t get to decide you didn’t.”
21
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/25/opinion/are-we-really-still-callin...
Jeffrey Tambor is just a drop in a amoral, unethical,boundaryless, tragic bucket in American history. When a racist, predator gets elected president, it should surprise no one that netflix just agreed to bring tambor back and reward his verbal abuse with another season on 'arrested development.' Sorry, Bateman, but this is inexcusable behavior. You don't get a pass because the job is hard. It's called self control. Boundaries. Professionalism. Nothing of value matters anymore. I worked with tambor on a movie years ago. He screamed at cast and crew then, and he does now. And why would he stop, he just got renewed!
Pray for the children as they look up and see the death of the line that separates right from wrong.
32
How sad that these so-called "men," can't wake up and see that what Tambor did is NOT OK, was NOT at the time, and excusing it now is NOT OK.
Sheesh!
20
Spoiled brats exposing themselves for all the world to see. There's something very enlightening about this train wreck of an interview. I've never watched the show and definitely won't even consider doing so now.
10
Reminds me of when I lived in a cult and had "interventions" with our abusers and all it was was talking about we were a "family" and how we could figure out living together from now on... kicking out the abuser or really punishing him at all was not an option!
17
You can just feel the machismo seeping through this room. Jason Bateman is a jaded man-baby and is clearly part of the bigger problem here. Cross should be ashamed. And shame on you NYT for even interviewing Tambor with this group. Disgusting, gross, continuing machismo. I am so sick of it.
21
I'm sorry but Netflix is employing and promoting an accused sexual predator and his male costars are making excuses for him. If Netflix continues with this production, I can no longer support them with my subscription. This is an outrage.
11
KJ's comments were absolutely what I was thinking after reading this article; there's a lot of talk these days about the victims of bullying, and not enough talk about how to handle a bully. When I was very young there was a bully on my block. I would come every day, crying and worried that I would run into him. He was older and bigger than I was. It was my mother, a tough Irish woman from Worchester, who got so angry she grabbed me by the collar and said, "the next time he picks on you I want you to make a fist and punch him right in the nose." Sounds like an episode of "Andy of Mayberry," but the next time he bullied me I did exactly that and he never bothered me again. It was one of those watershed lessons of life. Of course, punching people in the nose is not the answer to adult issues in the workplace, but it's the same principal; you have to confront the bully to stop the behavior, and you have to make it very clear that it will not longer be tolerated. What the #Metoo movement has done is address these abuses when workplace attitudes and practices are toxic and not addressing these issues. I hope we all see improvement on these bullying issues in the future, and I also hope we teach our children how to deal with bullies.
18
. . . how completely refreshing to read a candid conversation among actors about their profession and their industry--authentic people speaking fearlessly to the NYT about their real feelings. These are some of my favorite actors because they are very good at what they do; this article engendered even greater respect for for their willingness to be seen as the people that they are, unmediated by publicists-- flawed and compassionate, and particularly in Jessica Walters' case very generous. May the rest of us of us aspire to such humanity. . .
6
Thank you.
1
I was saddened and disappointed that Mr. Tambor responded, “Absolutely,” when Ms. Walters said, “I have to let this go, and I have to ... give you a chance at being friends again.” It lacked the humility and self-awareness one would hope his recent reckoning would engender. It sounded like he was saying, “You absolutely do have to do that.” She does not, and Mr. Tambor will be lucky if she does. Maybe he really meant, “I absolutely hope you do.” I hope so.
36
Harvey Korman of the Carol Burnett Show told the story about how he was chosen to be party of her comedy team. He had plenty of experience and he was older than the rest of the cast but this was his first big network show. Carol was a Broadway actress but this was her first TV show. She was untried as a producer. He admitted he came in with an attitude. He described how he showed up for the first rehearsal and yelled at everyone and was generally abusive. At the end of the day Carol took him aside and told him it was a team effort and no one was more important than anyone else. Told him to straighten up or he'd be replaced. He immediately knew what he about to lose. He adjusted and he freely admitted it was the best job he had ever had and it totally changed his attitude toward his work. He gave Carol full credit for running a great work environment that allowed them to produce first class comedy. Easy to do. These jobs are exceedingly rare even for seasoned actors, with unimaginable fame and wealth. You would think there would be plenty of motivation for maintaining high professional standards. Bullies push the limits of their environments. The producers allowed this toxic environment to fester. They are as guilty as Tambor.
54
Which is what's so uncomfortable about this interview - you can hear Bateman apple polishing the "great man" Tambor. This is how abuse happens in industry, academia, and all settings where the genius narrative takes hold, as in, "We can't possibly find another genius astronomer or conductor or actor like him!" Funnily enough, they always do. If workplaces were more than happy to insist on decent behavior, taking the view that's been proven over and over again that EVERYONE is replaceable, we'd all be better off.
40
What you hear is a very serious actor defending the decisions of every other person associated with the show who chose to continue to work with an actor who was run off of another show, Transparency, after having been previously celebrated, under very trying circumstances. #metoo, fire first, ask questions later. And now let’s do the same to Arrested Development and Mr. Bateman. This movement has lost its way.
4
Reading this interview (and especially listening to the clip) has given me newfound respect for the women of the Arrested Development cast. It is so difficult to to your job in a hostile environment and it is so much worse when that behavior is excused by your co-workers and friends. The mansplaining, the excuses, the minimalizing, and the sidestepping in this interview (especially from Bateman, but also Tambor and Hale) is disgusting. My heart breaks for and with Jessica Walter, harassment and abuse is never okay and the gas-lighting she suffered during this interview (and Bateman's "education" of a seasoned actor is beyond insulting). And men wonder why women don't come forward when they've been abused. This is why. We aren't believed and if we are we're told that abuse just doesn't matter as much as your friendship with our abusers. The intent in perpetuating the cycle of abuse just doesn't matter. Complicity in the cycle is not okay and we need to stop acting like it is. All my love and support to Jessica Hale because she matters JUST as much as Jeffrey Tambor.
47
This was bullying, plain and simple, and of a particularly vicious kind. Conspicuous in absence are accounts of Tambor abusing any of the male cast members or the youthful Alia Shawkat. (Hope springs eternal in even the most ridiculous male breast.)
To see him in the photo, in that arrogant pose with that smug expression...Jeffrey, I've got news for you: You are going to be little noted nor long remembered. Scream all you want -- you're still just Jeffrey Tambor, not Laurence Olivier.
13
Jason, Tony and David were tying to make Jeffrey feel like he was still being supported and I know that they would never mansplain and be insensitive towards Jessica on purpose. I could see what they were trying to say but you didn't go about it in the best way.
Sopan Debcould you could’ve made this situation better if YOU gave Jessica Walter time to talk! I’m not a journalist but if I ask a question that makes a person cry, I’m going to make sure that the person crying gets their time to talk - you should’ve given Jessica time to express herself and tell the story in full is she wanted to.
These people have known each other for 15 years there are going to be moments of frustration and anger - people are not perfect. Jeffrey has apologised and has said that he is trying to change so stop bashing them with these ridiculous comments.
7
I agree that the interviewer should have allowed Jessica Walters more time.
I still wish the cast invested half as much effort in making her feel supported as they did making him feel that way.
36
They do support her but it's a very complicated situation.
There are many micro-aggressions in this piece. Mostly by Jason Bateman toward Jessica. Very little sympathy for Jessica and he was almost demanding that she forgive and forget.
Well, she said she's over Jeffrey's behavior - but is she over your's Jason?
6
Where have all these men been during the last three decades? They earn lots of money, have the opportunities to keep up with what has been happening culturally, socially and legally-yet they remain oblivious to what sexual harassment and sexually inappropriate behavior is. They are nothing but self absorbed narcissistic predators who think they are entitled to “toy” with women in any manner they choose. Well, guys, it’s time to get with the program!
15
I think Bateman showed his true colors in this interview and is seriously kicking himself now. I've lost all respect.
19
She should have laughed in his face when he yelled at her.
1
We are in show business and a wise therapist said to me once -with talent comes temperament - but that said if your leading lady - is sobbing - you need to not male up - but support her.... It took a lot of courage for her to speak up... and I can see how and important shot like Transparent that there would be anxiety and shouting because again with talent comes temperament - too bad they couldn't work it out amongst themselves like Jessica Walters has done... and she should be celebrated because of that - she's forgiving - and everyone who thinks we can fix this centuries old problem of men sexualizing whomever they are attracted to in a matter of months - is really not very developed ! lol best joke I could come up with...
1
This argument bothers me. There are a lot of creative, talented people in the world who are not abusive jerks. And there are a lot of abusive jerks who are not talented. It's a choice, not about an uncontrollable temperament. And if you have a bad uncontrollable temperament, you can see a therapist, rather than excuse it.
12
I know Jason Bateman has gotten a lot of flack for his comments but he makes a good point. The work that they do is not "normal" and is not what most people experience in the workplace so their interactions are more like a family than most workplaces. I can see that and I think that's the only point he was trying to make. He didn't excuse the behavior but I think was trying to provide some context in regards to "family members" sometimes yelling at each other. It does happen even thought it's not always right.
9
Exactly. He was trying to explain the behaviour, not dismiss it - he just done it in the wrong way and clearly people have a problem with celebrities making mistakes because they're perfect apparently.
4
It sounds more like abuse and bullying, which can happen among family members. But it was in no way acceptable. Other cast members should have rallied around Jessica Walters, not Jeffrey Tambor. But the kind of dynamic that allowed this to happen in the interview is what allowed it to happen on set.
25
Eh, these are the kinds of abuses targets face all the time: We work long hours! We're on deadline! There's a lot of money at stake! We know a lot about each other's lives! We're like a family! Law, journalism, architecture, the post office, universities. Bad behavior begins and continues because it's allowed to - end of story.
10
This is absolutely horrible and eyeopening. As a fan of the show, an ardent supporter of the #metoo movement, and a victim of sexual assault, I'm at a loss. Watching your heroes fail is never easy.
21
Reading through the comments, I'm surprised how many adults seem to think it's 'normal' for co-workers to scream at each other.
34
artistic experiences don't come easily - this isn't a factory job...
3
Crazy abuse happens at factories. It’s not ok there, and it’s not ok on a set or in an interview.
8
Oh, please. Plenty of creative people aren't jerks and plenty on non-creative people are. That's an excuse.
7
Tambor is someone I never cared for and now I know why, he's a creep.
17
Shawkat only said two sentences in an entire interview? This is why selectively excerpting interviews in print is lazy at best, editorializing at worst. Just release the whole transcript, so we hear what everybody had to say, and not just on topics the editor deems noteworthy.
13
This interview is easily one of the most horrifying things I have seen since Hollywood's long overdue #metoo reckoning.
Yes, the mansplaining and endless belittlement of Ms. Walter's pain, especially by Jason Batemen, is disgusting. There is a 77-year old decorated veteran of the industry sobbing during an interview, and this entitled brood of privileged men is minimizing her pain by lecturing her on how HER OWN INDUSTRY works, as if she doesn't know.
But for me, the most despicable part is Mr. Bateman supporting Jeffrey Tamboor by insisting that he won't do another season of Arrested if Mr. Tamboor doesn't come back. Translation: "Jessica, if you have a problem with Jeffrey's behavior, and you decide that you cannot work with him, it will be your fault that there is no 6th season of the show." Let that sink in. Either she can get with the misogynistic boys club and deal with on-set abuse, or go home as a pariah for ruining this beloved show.
Clearly, there was no need for Bateman to explain to Walter how Hollywood works. If this is how her "family" of this show treats her - in the middle of a highly publicized moment of addressing Hollywood sexism and during a on-the-record interview for God's sake - she must be painfully aware exactly how the industry works. How was she treated on a closed set, before #metoo and Weinstein? I cannot even imagine.
91
My boss often yelled at me in front of the people I managed. I mean, screamed, spewed epithets, slammed his fist into the wall behind my desk, belittled me - you get the point. I don't know if Mr. Tambor yelled once or behaved this way repeatedly, but boy did I recognize a pattern where the woman who was being verbally assaulted, had her feelings painted out of the picture and de-legitimized by the men in the room. "It's all part of the family," almost made me choke on my own anger. First, Ms. Walter, a wonderful actor, is verbally assaulted and then doubly assaulted by having her feelings whitewashed. When I went to our HR director and finally (after years) complained about my boss, I was told it was my fault for not being enough of an "alpha female." It was horrifying - anything to preserve the male power structure.
49
Really? I thought it was kind of refreshing that they didn’t metaphysically tie Tambour up and burn him at the stake as a sacrifice to women everywhere.
Yelling at someone at work should not be a career ending episode. Let’s be adults again people.
6
Pierre: Adults don't yell at people at work. We're being adults by holding those who scream at others accountable. It's verbal abuse.
15
I guess it is a tribute to his or her acting skills that people may superimpose the qualities and likeability of a person and the character he or she protrays.
I don't know the details of what happened on the set, or what has been alleged on that of "Transparent". What seriously is starting to disturb me, though, is that unless I am mistaken no charges were brought up and no trial occurred. Sanctions such as being fired or having to weepily examine interpersonal relationships, and all of this rests on allegations ? They might be true, but wasn't there a legal phase once ?
1
No, an employer can fire an employee. It happens all the time and for all sorts of reasons, including being difficult to work with. There has never been a "legal phase" requiring that an employee has to be charged and found guilty of a crime before they can be fired.
29
Women know the legal system is not a justice system, particularly, at least historically. It's the court of public opinion. shaming and rumor that help us along as well.
14
What are you talking about? He's not being accused of criminal behavior. This is verbal abuse, which is most definitely grounds for being fired in any workplace. From my understanding, the incident happened in front of others on the set, and Tambor apologized, so there is no dispute about the facts of what occurred.
15
I have a question. Does Mr. Tambour save his tongue lashings for his female colleagues or is he an equal opportunity jerk? If he doesn’t berate his male colleagues like he’s accused of berating his female colleagues then yes, there is a problem there.
21
Berating any co-worker is a problem regardless of whether they are men or women. Berating and yelling at co-workers creates a toxic work environment, which allows other abusive behaviors and actions to persist.
15
I totally agree. My comment was more directed at those who defend his behavior by chalking it up to him being a “difficult” actor. That’s easy to say when you’re not ever at risk for being the target of the rant, i.e., male in this case.
11
Apparently he has never lashed at any of his male colleagues.
Also keep in mind that he has repeatedly belittled Jessica Walter but not anyone else.
It's bullying by any definition.
1
BATEMAN I didn’t mean to speak for you. That was part of his process of being as contrite and as *transparent* as he felt like he could and should be, and wanted to at the time.
Word choice
4
Jessica Walter would say "PHRASING!"
Unless they're not doing that anymore.
2
It’s disturbing to me when someone (justifiably) gets angry/mad/upset about being yelled at, disrespected, teased, (or as its now called), bullying, and is told they are overreacting. No. We aren’t over-reacting, we are reacting. No more “just ignore them” advice, and laughing it off pretending it doesn’t hurt. Anger is needed now and important. Listen to Jessica Walter in that recorded conversation. It’s quite heartbreaking. It’s common in show business to yell at a co-worker, therefore ok? I’d be fired on the spot for such behavior, and rightly so. Well it not ok, in or out of show business. Its time to start behaving like civilized adults and not spoiled, coddled, entitled brats that you are, Mr. Tambour & Co. These over the top apologies issued after this boys club behavior gets out is pathetic too. They’re merely scared they won’t work again making the hundreds of thousands a week they do. Times up.
48
I'm sorry PJH but acting is not an assembly line, and it's not a regular office environment. Acting requires one to travel across extremes to get to places, and as Bateman said it's about context. Every acting school in the world has periods where the teacher is brutally honest, often to the point of bullying and it leads to better performances and ultimately to better humanity. Also stop using the world "entitled," it's a poisonous thing that people say over and over today to refer to anyone who does anything they don't like. Stick to the person and the facts at hand: Tambor apologized and has been chastened (obviously). In large part the actor's workplace has already changed, but sadly, some of the process of getting good performances out of people might be a little poorer. It's not apologia to abuse, just an accurate reflection of an artistic landscape not so cookie cutter.
13
@C.Johnson
Entitled is a perfect word to use to describe Mr. Tambor, if we look at the facts before us. He has repeatedly yelled at and behaved poorly towards co-workers (as it has been reported both on the Arrested Development and Transparent set), and he felt comfortable that his toxic behavior would get a pass. It appears he assumed that saying sorry was enough, after which everyone should move on, instead of doing the hard work of changing his behavior and never doing it again.
I also doubt that film sets adopting a no jerk policy will stop great actors from doing great performances. In fact, knowing that you will not be mistreated by your fellow actors for the sake of their "process" may bring out even better performances.
6
Tambor is not Jessica Parker teacher. He is a colleague who has a less successful career as she has had.
4
Got your feelings hurt because a coworker yelled at you once? I wish I would have been that lucky.
13
The yelling was repeated an so were the belittling and humiliation.
2
OMG, an actor being difficult! Shocking!
8
Being difficult is demanding 14 flavors of seltzer water be available at all times. This is verbal abuse. There is a difference.
67
Jessica Walter is an amazing actress who deserves respect, especially from her fellow castmates and crew. AND she looks sensational.
38
Seriously folks ... get a life. Who really, really cares about these shows? Aha! Maybe it's a type of political diversionary tactic ...
8
Maeby is such a babe, these days. Yeah. Alia Shawkat is pretty dang adorable. That's what I got out of this.
5
I hope not to be pedantic but if the genders were reversed would not the feminists be yelling "man-up", or we're "tired of white men's whining..."?
3
No. We would not.
50
No.
11
Thank you, Anne. Newsbuoy, what on earth are you talking about?
5
The men here were so eager to fill the awkwardness with excuses and fawning toward Tambor, it was gross. Do they want to be in the boy's club that bad??
78
See if I get the message right. If a worker, a team member, isn't doing their job well enough to satisfy you, never yell at her. It's ok to lose your temper with a man but women are far too frail to cope.
Really?
Don't you think that's a bit condescending?
Everyone should be polite and act civilly towards others, not only in the workplace but in all facets of their lives. But many of us have experienced instances when people snap. Some make a habit of doing so (men and women). To suggest that women are part of the frail, genteel sex is in itself sexist. I will stop there, I think I'm getting an attack of the vapors.
2
No, Larry. No one in the workplace should be yelling at other people in the workplace--male or female. Adults do not scream at each other. That's what adolescents do; not mature adults.
8
I think the vapors got to your brain, hon. Christine's point wasn't about mythic feminine fragility, it was about how weird it was that many of the male cast members offered explanations, made excuses, and kept joking, she assumed, to appease Tambor.
She never suggested that "It's ok to lose your temper with a man but women are far too frail to cope," or "that women are part of the frail, genteel sex." That's your own creepy take. Take your MGTOW/Incel fanfix back to reddit, Chad.
11
It has become increasingly clear that straight white men are responsible for all that is wrong and unjust in this world. I think we should impose a mandatory 'time out' for all white males. They need to put their careers and lives on hold for at least a full month to stop and think about what they've done. If the world functions much better without them, let's just not let them return to work at all and keep them permanently on the sidelines so that forever more they can feel the pain that they have inflicted upon others since the dawn of time.
26
Lol! If this is sarcasm we’ll do!
4
As a straight white man, I reject this racist, sexist attack on my sub-group. Sorry, I haven't been harming anyone that didn't provoke me, so I have no need to quit my job and all that stuff.
14
from one Dan to another, i was totally joking here, but it's especially funny to know that my sarcasm is indistinguishable from typical SJW rhetoric these days! If I'm not careful I might become a new messiah of the movement towards a 'time out'!
1
With Mr. Tambor’s return to Arrested Development, a rare example of a disgraced actor not experiencing career suicide in the Me Too era. What has he figured out that eluded so many other alkeged harassers in Hollywood?
6
Easy. He was (most recently) accused of sexually harassing non cis gendered women. The others (Louis CK, Weinstein, Batali) faced accusers who are do not identify as LGBTQI therefore the public doesn't seem to care.
15
Article says the production was nearly finished. Might have been different if it came out before they started shooting. Then again hearing the men talking about this maybe not!
7
Could anything be less relevant than the ramblings of these actors? The only thing remotely interesting is the utter cluelessness of Bateman who had to read his interview to discover that his remarks were offensive and appalling.
53
The Me Too Movement has gone too far.
A person cannot get angry without being charged with sexual harassment. Nor can a person express a political view which is not politically correct.
Jesus told us to turn the other cheek. Yet a Baptist College President was removed because he told a woman to "forgive her rapist." Yet it is clear from the sermon on the mount that Christ meant forbiving EVERYONE, including rapists.
Thus political correctness means one cannot admire and respect the sermon on the mount.
In other words, Christianity is too kind to sexual abusers.
The NY Times and the New Yorker routinely publish accusations of sexual harassment. There is no due process for the accused. Al Franken lost his job with NO INVESTIGATION.
Jeffrey Tambor was accused and summarily fired.
Liberal feminists seem to be filled with hatred. There is a rush to judgment. It is presumed that women cannot lie.
Yet divorce courts are filled with lies of both men and women, who try to get the best settlement with shading of the truth ranging into outright mendacity.
I understand now why Trump talks about fake news. The NY Times publishes titilating rumors and gossip as though it is thoroughly verified.
Yes, Trump is a terrible president. But how much more terrible is it that women can put men in prison on the basis of a mere accusation (the Violence Against Women Act).
Hate Speech by the NY Times has destroyed the due process which was one of the pillars of American freedom.
14
"...a Baptist College President was removed because he told a woman to 'forgive her rapist.'"
Good, It's not another person's job to dictate to a rape survivor whether or not she should forgive her rapist. That's really obnoxious and unprofessional.
Feminists aren't filled with hatred, we're just tires and frustrated by the historical lack of people generally taking women's experiences seriously. (Like the president telling a woman what to do after a traumatic event.)
44
I just read about this Baptist College President. Not only did he tell the woman to forgive her rapist, but he also told her to not file a police report. Further, he was removed after advising "women who are abused by their husbands to focus on praying for them, rather than on divorce." He also said women should “be submissive in every way."
So, double-good he was fired.
18
No, that is not at all why the Baptist college president was fired. In addition to telling her to forgive her rapist--and more importantly--not to go to the police, he also fondly recounts this story of how he counseled an abused wife to stay with her husband:
"Returning some days later with two black eyes, the woman said, 'I hope you're happy,' [Patterson said].
" 'I said, 'Yes, ma'am, I am happy,' Patterson quoted himself as telling the woman. 'What she didn't know when we sat in church that morning,' he said, 'was that her husband had come in and was standing in back, first time he ever came.' "
It is appalling that he and other so-called Christians condone this attitude. It's as though women don't have lives worth protecting in their worldview.
50
It is offensive how Jason Bateman and Tony Hale make excuses and explain away Tambor's behavior towards and treatment of Jessica Walter. They really disrespected Ms Walter. Clueless.
98
Why can't they put this on real tv? My dvr prohibits streaming and I don't want to watch shows on a laptop.
3
I suggest AppleTV or Roku.
just because an actor expertly plays out such smart satirical writing doesn't mean his actual character, his person in our unscripted reality, understands so deeply, or all the time.
we are all working from scripts regardless, however; we are humans in a society, it is inevitable. this interview is a classic example of dysfunctional consensus building (groupthink) in a dysfunctional family dynamic (wherein 6-8 roles are foisted onto individuals, rather than a healthy family dynamic wherein persons are fluid, fluctuating, phasing through things, growing up, never pigeonholed). Shawkat would classically be the scapegoat; Alia protesting shows her health/vitality separate from the dysfunctional group, which also allows the others to pile their sins onto her and crucify her person to sate the dysfunctional group need for an anxiety-release valve. this keeps the dysfunctional machine working. I would not be surprised to find they blame her for their problems behind closed doors, however insidiously/seemingly innocuously they do so.
as far as how the other actors attempted to dysfunctionally manipulate the scene to their personal advantage, we['ve] naturally all behave[d] these bad ways some times. continuously choosing dysfunction is a character flaw buttt most of us will never understand that. let's flip the script by defining dysfunctional behavior and warring against it in a non-exclusionary method through widespread understanding (education). let's evolve a new standard.
4
I have to admit I was hoping any one else would chime in here in particular. I know life is just a series of distractions until death buttt do we really just want to go on bombing at bombers, henpecking at henpeckers? are we collectively pretending we want solutions when it is the fight we actually relish?
1
I mean, can they just not *hear* Jessica Walter? Is there like a physical inability to hear Jessica Walter's voice that afflicts every male cast member of Arrested Development?
161
What is a "Jessica Walter"?
I wonder what this interview -- and the written piece -- might have been like if it were done by a woman journalist. Asking for many women friends.
33
Well, here’s a great example of women’s perceptions of a man’s abusive behavior being dismissed and rationalized away—in this case, by his male coworkers.
Ms. Walter was clear here that Mr. Tambor had deeply upset her by yelling at her in their shared workplace, that she had been unable to let go of the hurt he’d caused, and that she’d never in her professional life been treated like that. It’s obvious that she’s still affected by his temper and anger towards her. And who wouldn’t be. What Mr. Tambor dished out was verbal abuse, no?
And yet Mr. Bateman and the other men in the room explain that unacceptable behavior away with all the usual “Well, yes, but” excuses. How about if instead they said, “We love you, Jeffrey, but there’s really no excuse for treating someone this way.” For treating a woman this way....
I thought “Arrested Development” was brilliant and hilarious. But I don’t think I have the appetite to watch it anymore, after reading this interview.
120
So with you on this. I don't think i can watch it anymore
4
This why I do not watch television anymore. These actors, in my opinion, are overinflated juveniles with incredible egos who think of themselves oh so important and revelant.
Oh for the days when we were entertained with likes of Ed Sullivan, Philco Playhouse etc., etc. Thank goodness for Masterpiece and BBC. That's ENTERTAINMENT!
9
You know that those people behaved the same way, right? You just never heard about it very often.
9
Reading this made me want to throw up. Tambor is very talented and I used to love Tony Hale, but forget these men.
All their talk that Tambor's horrible behavior must be viewed "in context" - how about this? "In the context of this interview", they were rude, dismissive and undermining of Ms. Walter. How bad are things with Tambor and the others that she was weeping while trying here to "go along to get along"?
Jessica Walter, we hear you. We all hear you. Stay classy!
134
That's Hollywood!
Hollywood & the media justifies the abhorrent behavior of its self adulating stars under the auspices of "art" thereby dignifying these spoiled overpaid "artists".
8
About 90% of comments here are made by terrible terrible people
6
It went without comment when Tambor says he’s ready to let his past problems go.
Nobody sees the problem with the miscreant wanting to move on, when it’s his victims who should get to make that call?
47
It's breathtakingly ironic that the idea of "family" is evoked repeatedly to justify and minimize Tambor's behavior.
Since mansplaining is the order of the day, someone should tell Jason Bateman that Arrested Development is the story of dysfunctional families, and the manipulation, abuse, and lies that "keep them all together."
60
As a woman reading this, what really strikes me is seeing men defend each other framing misbehavior as mistakes and mistakes are things that happen and then we move on. In my job I have certainly paid for every mistake I have ever made - and it certainly has never involved yelling, scaring people, making my coworkers uncomfortable around me.
94
Ridiculous. Conveniently did not report on the comments of either of the 2 women present in regards to Tambor's sexual allegation charges. This interview reads like The Jason Bateman show. And unfortunately he's got an extremely problematic view on these topics, so glorifying his participation is a poor choice. Poorly written article and you just convinced me never to support this show again (so for that, I do actually thank you). What a load of garbage.
20
Interesting interview, and I don't think any of this is worth crucifying anyone over. If Mr. Tambor is guilty of sexually assaulting women, that should be tried in court. There's no evidence thus far that he's guilty of anything much. Yelling at someone is boorish but not criminal.
I enjoyed Arrested Development a lot when it was on TV, and when I finally get Netflix someday I'll enjoy the rest of it. And I'll continue to enjoy the work of all these actors wherever they show up, particularly Justin Bateman, who's long been a favorite comic actor of mine.
So that's just a viewpoint going against the grain. Just offering it up because it's reasonable, not intended to cause harm, and because there are millions of far larger issues than one actor yelling at another and hurting their feelings a decade ago. If anyone wants to berate me for this viewpoint, know first that your opinion means absolutely nothing to me.
16
Ah FINALLY we get to hear from a man! So rarely does a white male insert his opinion into discourse about
harassment.
28
Hahaha thanks Left Coast, that was truly hilarious. Still, I'm not trying to suppress any other viewpoint or anything, and even though I'm a man, I still have the right to voice my opinion here.
4
Dan, You have every right to express your opinion, but it's a bit off-putting to take your opinion seriously when you end your comment with "know that your opinion means absolutely nothing to me." Respect goes both ways.
7
What's interesting throughout the MeToo movement and reading comments on various threads are a couple themes. The first is the thought some express that as long as the behavior wasn't a crime, there shouldn't be any consequences. (As if unprofessional inappropriate behavior can't be reprimanded unless it's criminal, which is ridiculous.)
The other theme is that verbal harassment (screaming at a co-worker), isn't sexual harassment, so what's the big deal? Mature adults do not scream at their co-workers. And if they do, there are usually consequences.
Treat people badly over a period of years or decades and it will catch up with you; it's called natural consequences. Assuming there won't be--or shouldn't be--any consequences is just strange.
57
Let's be clear. Those of us who dare to go against the tide of hatred of any man who happens to be a bad date or is overbearing or crude in his behavior toward women are not just saying it isn't a crime to be a boor. We are going further and emphatically declaring that boorishness and even "inappropriateness" in NO way deserve the same punishment as rape or as sex being a quid pro quo for a job or promotion.
We are asking for a more judicious and careful weighing of the significance of behavior before it is spread all over the media and destroys a human who happens to be a man. Yes, Harvey Weinstein, Louis C.K., Matt Lauer and some others should lose their careers and reputations over their actions. But no, Al Franken, Asiz Ansari, Junot Diaz, Jeffrey Tambor, and many others caught up in the national hysteria should not. This thing is out of control in much the same way Salem or the HUAC hearings were.
7
I guess I don’t understand why this is a MeToo thing. Sure, being verbally abusive and losing your job for yelling as someone is a reasonable consequence. As a therapist I’d argue that people can learn to manage their anger better. In no way do I think people would be served by Tambor never being allowed to work again.
False equivalence is our enemy, and this case is a prime example. Serial rapists like Cosby and Weinstein should never work again. A man or woman who yells should receive anger management counseling, warnings in the workplace, and eventual firing if the behavior doesn’t change. There was no power deferential here, no physical or sexual assault, no sexual harassment. Just really bad behavior. Not to excuse it, but if every man who behaves badly is painted with the Weinstein brush, then it undercuts the entire MeToo movement.
8
People need to re-read Anne's post again. Nowhere did she suggest that Mr. Tambor's behavior on the set of Arrested Development towards Ms. Walters is in any way equivalent to the rape accusations against Mr. Weinstein or the sexual harassment of Matt Lauer. She simply stated that non-criminal but abusive behaviors at work do have consequences. Unfortunately sometimes long down the line, as is the case for Mr. Tambor. If the consequences had come sooner, maybe he wouldn't be in this situation now.
Also, let's not overreact here. Mr. Tambor is not getting destroyed, he still has a job on this show, and will probably continue to get work afterwards. He now knows that being a bully at work will not be tolerated, and that is a good thing for himself and everyone who works with him.
9
In excusing Mr. Tambor's behavior, these actors sound like Paige Patterson telling abused Baptist wives to 'submit' to their husbands. Forgive, forget, turn the other cheek, do a better job at whatever he wants, and if you get slugged, well, it's just family business.
This repulsive pandering is made worse by the fact that they all witnessed the abuse, they all know of Tambor's other abusive behavior, and they all have significant financial interest in maintaining Tambor on the show.
Why on earth would anyone watch this show?
45
Because it is hilarious.
18
Can any of the people who have already taken sides tell me what the actual blow-up was about? What was the background before the event? Perhaps I'm missing the info, but I have yet to find it online.
2
He was fired from the show Transparent after three women he worked with alleged sexual harassment. So, some commentators are taking that into account of a larger pattern of his being abusive to women.
4
That's my point. We have no idea what this specific argument was about. I'm not dismissing his actions towards Walter or or the women from Transparent, but I also would like to know the whole story before unleashing the #MeToo mob on him for this incident.
Are you asking why he yelled at her? Why? Would it allow you to excuse his behaviour if the reason were good enough for you? Is that what you want to know?
9
There are few movie scenes that are as subtly erotic as the final handshake between Sally Field and Ron Liebman at the end of Norma Rae. If I got to wake up next to him on a regular basis I don’t think I’d ever complain about anything.
This was so awkward to read. We cannot allow our necessary and overdue response to genuine sexual harassment and assault to conflate what sounds like typical (though absolutely unacceptable) workplace dissension.
3
It’s clear that Jeffrey Tambor didn’t do enough to make up for his awful, disrespectful behavior. And why would producers and directors allow him to poison the atmosphere of the cast and set? I bet he ever spoke to Gary Shandling that way, or Justin Bateman. He should have long ago been replaced with a female comic. That show is too male centric anyway.
91
Why can't the Times tell us frankly and accurately what Jeffrey Tambor said to Jessica Walter and what he did on the set of "Transparent"? This pretense at a frank discussion is mystifying and infuriating.
You have succeeded in breaking the news that these actors want to keep their well-paid jobs which is no news at all, but you have thrown no light on the "raw" stuff you headline for clickbait.
164
Men fear that women will laugh at them. Women fear that men will kill them.
Throughout history, who's been told to cover up, shut up, be submissive, etc.? WOMEN.
I'm SO TIRED of hearing men whine. You've been on top for hundreds of thousands of years. You've kept us in cages, for pleasure, used us, abused us. FINALLY, the culture is shifting. And all I can hear are white men whining about it.
82
I was struck by how different the comments are that are highlighted as NYT Picks from the comments that are Reader Picks. Why did the NYT amplify the comments ignoring the disappointing, arrogant behavior of the men in this interview? I usually go straight to those NYT Picks comments, but I was confused this time by how much they all seemed to miss the point.
39
The Readers Picks are always the way to go. Now this comment should be a NYT Pick!
17
From the descriptions of this show I can't imagine wanting to watch even five minutes of it. I don't know whether I find the actors in this show more repulsive or the 'fans' who find this toxicity entertaining.
5
It's a funny show. What I particularly like about it is that the humor is understated, unlike online comments which lean towards over-the-top hyperbole.
5
Goodness gracious, the fact Bateman apologized today for his comments is just cringe-worthy. We have become a society in which everyone is supposed to act like angels -- no anger, no emotions, no mess-ups. Placid. Perfect. We judge others by an impossible standard we can't live up to ourselves. And our solution to problems is not to toughen our own skin, but to try to make everyone else treat us perfectly. Being yelled at work is hardly ideal or appropriate but it's also hardly something to cry about years later. When did female empowerment become about women acting as if they are incredibly fragile and infantile? When did any kind of yelling become "emotional abuse"? The unfortunate subtext of the #metoo movement is that women are incredibly delicate and cannot handle themselves on their own, instead needing the men around them to change. We're back to needing the protection of chivalrous patriarchs.
11
It's curious, considering the content of your comment, that you seem unwilling to accept Walter's anger (which--in her own words--is what her tears are an expression of, not fragility). Unlike Tambor's damaging expression of rage, Walter's not-placid and imperfect emotional expression didn't demean or abuse anyone else. She was respectful of her coworkers, while insisting on the reality of her experience. Walters did not ask anyone to change (except herself). She did not at any point express anything remotely approaching delicacy. When viewed in the context of the actual words and behavior of the people in this room, your interpretation seems misguided and your conclusion nothing short of bizarre.
62
I'm not sure where it states that there was just some "kind of yelling". She said it was much worse than she has ever experienced in her entire professional life (and she is in her late 70s). I think what bugged me about the situation is how Bateman kept minimizing the situation when this woman was clearly not feeling like it was minimal. Bateman could have just not gotten involved and kept his mouth shut. I also think it is a stereotype to say that crying makes a person weak in some way. She was upset, she spoke her mind in the interview, clarified her point, didn't back down when people basically said "it happens..." and even went so far as to say that she would work with him in a heartbeat. Hardly a victim, fragile or infantile.
298
Tambor is not SO good an actor that any TV show he has appeared on couldn't go to a decent casting director and find a replacement just as good.
"Difficult" women get replaced, "difficult" men get admired.
But look out boys, a new day is dawning.
2
Jason Bateman was bringing some nuance to the conversation but, as we've seen over the last 8 months, one thing you cannot do when discussing these incidents is bring nuance.
The only thing we are allowed to say is this: "Jeffrey Tambor is terrible and awful and he should never work again and I am offended by his behavior and I completely stand with Ms. Walter"
Acceptable conversation around these matters have become so narrow that Matt Damon was crucified for daring to say -- micro-aggression warning -- there are degrees of sexual harrassment.
The Me Too movement is 90 percent positive. Needed, overdue and positive. But my goodness, can we just cut everyone a little slack when we talk about these issues? Particularly well meaning guys -- who have not even been accused - like Jason Batemen and Matt Damon?
22
The person with the nuance was Walter. "Stuff happens" is what Bateman's insight boiled down to, hardly profound.
41
Right. Let's lambaste the guy for not saying precisely the right thing in the middle of an interview.
2
Whenever an actor starts crying in an interview, I think they planned it. I know this is cynical of me. But Ms. Walter's been upset at this man for over ten years, and just happens to burst into tears and “let it go” while they're being interviewed by the NY Times?
7
Yes, that is cynical. What purpose would it serve?
26
You don't understand acting.
1
I am not surprised. But happy to see art reflecting real life. These are the topics discussed in our homes right now. You can picture your own family members having this same discussion. So for Jason Bateman you will eat crow for this and face anger over this. Ms. Walter walk with your head held high. And as a society, we all have a lot to learn.
17
I tried to read these excerpts and I couldn't get through it the first time I tried to read it; I couldn't understand what the point of this actually was at first. For one thing, there's almost nothing about the sexual misconduct allegations in the article itself, despite being highlighted at the top. Maybe everyone did want to know more about these people's feelings about the show, I don't know, but I don't think the elephant in the room is an elephant. I think it's the entire, needle-sharp point. Asking about the show, the fans' love for it, etc? Fans don't matter. Fans should understand that this behavior is not okay; fans would not, should not, want someone who portrays a character they love to be this destroyed over a literal tv show.
I don't know anything about this woman, Jessica Walter. I have never watched this show, and I now know I never need to. Why? Because I don't need to support anything that would allow a coworker to hurt another like this. I'm sorry, Jessica. I hope you find better coworkers. NYT, I hope you ask better questions.
27
I'm an actor, and I have been yelled at by another actor. I tried to work it out but what I should have done immediately is reported her to the Stage Manager and filed a complaint. Ms. Walter literally says through her tears(!), "I'm letting it go." She has clearly not let it go, it clearly has hurt and humiliated her deeply. As it would with anyone. Acting is a profession that, for best results, requires trust in one's fellow performers, and Mr. Tambor, by his horrible and unacceptable behavior, has destroyed that utterly. Ms. Walter will never, and should never, trust him. She performs an act of iron will everyday by showing up on that set to work with him and those other men-children. He should be thrown off the show, yes both shows.
79
One thing many of us have learned from the #metoo movement is that the charming celebrities we see on talk shows and at award ceremonies aren’t real. They are entertainers and they put on a show. They may indeed be wonderful, lovely people, or they may be jerks. We don’t know them. Jeffrey Tambor always seemed so genuine and caring in his acceptance speeches, and maybe he’s a great guy, but who knows? Maybe not. He obviously has a temper his public persona does not belie.
Show business, with it’s focus on looks and with the whole quirky, internal creative process, seems much more brutal than other industries. I’ve seen videos of actors and directors behaving badly (remember Christian Bale and David O. Russell?) and I’ve watched their movies anyway. So to the Tambor-Walter thing, unless we’re there experiencing what really went down, how can we understand what happened? Maybe we too should let it go so we can enjoy the show they’re putting on for us.
29
She was at work. She shouldn't have to deal with verbal abuse form a colleague. I loved the show, but no more. Also not interested in watching Kevin Spacey or the Cosby show any more. For me, knowing these things impacts my ability to enjoy these actors.
77
Yeah, I know—and so were Bale and Russell and I didn’t say she should have to put up with it. It sounds from this interview like this is not all water under the bridge, but she says she wants to put it behind her.
um, why do you think they are called "actors"?
To think I've thought Bateman was the only celebrity I ever found attractive - and worthy of a crush at a distance -- and oh how he plays these nice, normal guys. Ha! So funny all the delusions we have.
23
Well, contextually, he is a "normal" guy in that he's pretty typical. He didn't harass anyone (that we know of) but he is/was clueless as to its depth. At least he's acknowledged as much.
9
A very sincere apology from Mr. Bateman on Twitter (and covered elsewhere in the NYT) for his statements in this interview.
7
People who leave their apologizing to twitter are not really apologizing. They're showing the rest of the world something.
30
What I took away from this interview is that, of all of these men, only Will Arnett knows when to shut up.
338
And even then, his attempt to belittle the point by joking about keying Bateman's car, was tone deaf.
30
I know nothing about the claim about Tambar on that other show, but this group interview just floors me. It amounts to someone acting like a jerk and someone else saying that years later their feelings were so hurt. Really?
The jerk probably should have apologized a long time ago, but Walters has held onto that for a decade? claims no one has ever been 'THAT' mean to her in 60 years of acting? (which is not believable at all considering all the egos in Hollywood , including her own. She also had a reputation of being difficult to work with so I doubt her implication of being shocked at whatever he said to her. The article also ignores the "toxic females" that have long abused people on set and off.
More importantly is that this article as jumped on the last campaign to criminalize white males. The new catch phrase is "toxic masculinity" a phrased coined by an extreme feminist who has publicly stated that all male CEO's need to be fired and replaced by females.
The phrasing and attacks need to stop. Any good that might have come from #metoo and other moves to empower women is being erased by these highly partisan attacks on white males and males in general.
If you want that leadership job, put in the time and effort to earn it. Just because you have lady parts does not justify males bowing down to threats that you will accuse them of misbehavior if you don't get your way as many women have done and do today.
5
If Walters says that no one has been that mean to her in 60 years of acting and is moved to tears at a press interview, I'm more inclined to think that Tambar was that mean to her than that she, who has survived some tough times in Hollywood as a woman, is too fragile to handle a professional workplace, in leadership or as a collaborator.
53
Sounds like a man who is a bully himself.
30
Aaand that, ladies and gentlemen, is how toxic masculinity defends itself.
151
That read oddly like an episode of the show...
8
Totally agree -- All I could think about was Jason Bateman saying "Again, not to belittle it" in the tone of some of the show's absurdist recurring jokes
30
Hearing David Cross chime in was jaw-dropping. Obviously being married to a strong woman like Amber Tamblyn has had zero effect on his outlook.
I've been a fan of Tambor's since I saw him on Barney Miller (bit part) and I've watched his career reached incredible heights. All the interviews I've read or seen with Tambor & Bateman left me wishing they were my neighbors or friends--so sweet, funny, intelligent.
This interview laid waste to that.
36
Yes to think I would have said Batemen would be my only celebrity crush!
6
At the risk of being killed in my sleep, let me ask a question that is actually a question (for me). Does anyone of substance actually care that boorish and insulting behavior goes on at the set of a frivolous situation comedy? Before you start honing the knives, let me ask when screaming and mansplaining (as awful and annoying as that is) became sexual harassment? With Bolton, Mnuchin, Pruett, and Trump to hand we have actual, real problems we might want to spend our time on!
3
I care. Verbal abuse (that in the case appears to be directed at a woman and is shrugged off by her male peers) is a real problem. And we can pay attention to more than one problem at once.
And the fact he was fired from Transparent suggests there is indeed a problem.
116
I care and I do consider myself a person of substance. When employees cannot be reasonably safe in their workplace, that matters a great deal. It should matter to everyone.
69
It’s not sexual harassment it’s HARASSMENT that’s wouldn’t be tolerated in any other work environment. It’s a gendered issue, yes, because men in Hollywood get away with this kind of behavior just as they have gotten away with sexual harassment for decades.
17
Lordy, what a mess this group is. Were they interviewed in character?
21
I can't help but wonder if Sopan Deb is purposely interviewing the cast in a way that shows how narcissistic and misogynist the actors are. It is so obvious to me (as a woman) that this depiction is disgusting and completely downgrades the experience and voice of Jessica Walter. Then again, perhaps (because I'm a woman) no one notices.
40
I so much want my heroes to be worthy of my adoration, and I can appreciate a desire of many involved (and their fans) to move beyond past bad behavior and get back to laughing, but I don't think we can move past anything in a healthy fashion until we've listened to...and actually heard...from abuse victims about how the experience made them feel, and until we've given some individual and collective thought to how we can stop the abuse and heal the wounds it's caused. It's not wrong to say that lots of people lose their temper for lots of reasons...and it's understood that verbal berating is just one category of harassment...but we all already know those things. The mens' stating such in this context effectively silences the victim and normalizes the bad behavior. Talking over and past Ms. Walter while she was reliving an obviously significant adverse event as caused by a fellow cast member, all while discounting her vast experience in this industry, is pretty shameful. I love this show, but folks...if you're not even willing to listen to someone on the receiving end of abuse talk out their feelings about said abuse, then you are part of the problem. Let the victim speak her (or his) piece, and support her (or him) while they talk it out. Empathy is good.
71
I think it's telling that Jessica Walter's male co-stars fall over themselves to defend Jeffrey Tambor, but don't extend her the same courtesy. It's not up to HER to let it go, it's up to the rest of the cast to recognize that she's justified in feeling angry and hurt over Tambov's unprofessional conduct.
197
I find the photo of everyone but Shawkat with their eyes closed or, in Tambor's case, partially closed--as heavily symbolic, whether intentional or not.
A generation of older actors, nearly all men, blissfully blind to the reality of what needs to change, and Tambor, not blind, but aware, just unwilling to see, while Shawkat, who is thankfully from a generation that will not quietly accept these behaviors, is seated (interestingly, only Tambor was seated in the earlier picture) and staring directly at the viewer. Shawkat's generation will not mistake surrender for acceptance or forgiveness, as Walter seems to feel she is forced to do.
If those photos were not meant as powerful commentary, they captured a literal and existential moment, nonetheless.
88
This interview is so telling in so many ways. The men talk, rationalize, and negate all of the bad behavior on set. The women are mostly silent or apologetic. I am disappointed in the interviewer's failure to draw out more from the women on the show.
135
Wow. David Cross has never heard a man who's been accused declare that he's "learning and growing" from his experiences? Has he ever read...anything?
I keep wondering where Portia de Rossi is. What are her views on Tambor?
I used to be a fan of Jason Bateman, but I agree with other commenters who are disturbed by his declarations here: "Look, EVERYONE yells at Jessica Walter." I get that that's a joke, kind of, but there's no more obvious way to show how much you don't care about what happened than to make remarks that constantly necessitate the caveat, "not to belittle what happened."
In the vein of the cast-as-family, Bateman is stubbornly defending a father here. His cavalier attitude ("Well I won't do it without you, I'll tell you that!") sounds like he wants to justify and maintain his image of someone he admires while ignoring women entirely.
The general conclusion that Bateman and some others seem to want to press here is that all sets are breeding grounds for rampant disrespect and irrational behavior. That's the problem, not the solution, and I wish we could call a break on all mass artistic production until we've revamped the system entirely.
58
Interesting you say " I keep wondering where Portia de Rossi is. What are her views on Tambor?"
5
Jeffrey Tambor sounds like he can be a real jerk and a bully, but that is not the same thing as sexual harassment.
11
They're also not mutually exclusive. Both are about exerting power over others.
37
That's correct. And women are guilty of doing it as well.
“She did it too” is an excuse that doesn’t get you out of consequences for misbehavior in kindergarten.
6
I love Transparent and Arrested Development, including Jeffrey Tambor's acting. But the dynamics of this conversation are very disturbing and telling. As someone who doesn't believe in blackballing people for just any bad behavior (though criminal behavior, yes), I am glad that we are starting to say "time's up" for narcissitic, exploitative, violent and manipulative behavior from men. Jessica Walter, you don't have to "let it go" in order to find peace over this situation. I hope you get the reparation you deserve.
97
It was "nice" of her fellow actors to let Jessica Walters get a word in edgewise about her own experience and feelings.
214
The article clearly states that "these are edited excerpts" of a larger conversation. Neither you nor I know how much Walter's actually spoke on the subject.
4
Nice of the actors or editors to let her get a word in edgewise about her own experience and feelings.
6
True, but Bateman himself acknowledged--later--that he "mansplained" to her and didn't realize at the time that she felt so badly, this, even though she burst into tears during the interview.
5
There is an interesting debate about acting being tossed around, here, and I think it's important to call out. It is absolutely true that different actors have different processes, and sometimes actors get a reputation for being "difficult" because they ask for very reasonable things (like they can't play a difficult, emotional scene while making eye contact with a crew member, because it's too hard for them to keep focus.) Not all actors' reputations for being "difficult" are accurate. An actor who isn't friendly to the crew may just be playing a difficult role and doesn't have the emotional energy.
But there is a dividing line between an actor needing things for their own process (like alone time, or few disruptions) and an actor disrupting other people's processes by being abusive, chronically late, or sexually harassing others. And Tambor clearly crossed the line. I think Bateman views Tambor as a friend, and wants to protect him from accusations of being difficult. But Bateman might want to ask himself why the women on set don't consider Tambor such a good friend. A lot of men who are abusive to women can also be good buddies to the men around them. When they kick someone, they only kick down -- towards people of lower power and status, such as women -- and that is precisely what makes them so dangerous.
161
I don't think I lasted 15 minutes when I tried to watch this show. Just another show about men. I should have known, from the title.
4
Tambor actually morphed in to Hank Kingsley....
I love this show and everybody on the cast (even a big fan of Hank Kingsley from Larry Sanders show!). It can be awkward to read this discussion ... just as it would to watch a family therapy session in real life. At the same time, if these actors are opening up about their pain and personal issues, I don't think readers should be quick to judge. Every TV show has a backstory; it may be somewhat interesting to outsiders, but let's not give it more attention than it deserves!
7
"Not to belittle what happened"
https://media.giphy.com/media/Sfr6nWUtIaOic/giphy.gif
13
Exactly. "Not to belittle it" but he sure tried to normalize it!
9
i have admired Ms. Walter from the days of The Naked City and other early television shows to her breakthrough role in "Play Misty for Me" when she was cast by Clint Eastwood. i have followed her career (and that of her husband, Ron Liebman) for decades. To have the male cast members think that (1) she needs mansplaining from them and (2) Mr. Tambor deserves defending is beyond the pale. That they ignored her and tried to talk over her is unforgiveable. Kudos for you, Ms. Walter, for keeping it classy. Shame on you, Mr. Bateman, Mr. Arnett and others. And Mr.Tambor, i can't even.....
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@ dana:
Come on now! Context is everything and almost everyone in this interview contributed to the sense of processing events, absorbing, growing, learning and moving on.
Ms. Walter herself alluded several times to 'letting it go', not being angry anymore and feeling better. She would work with Mr. Tambor again "in a heartbeat". And has there not been a more candid, forthcoming, apologetic and humble transgressor than Jeffrey Tambor? If no room can be made on 'redemption road' for someone like him, then I believe that speaks volumes about our society's immaturity and, yes, arrested development!
So, aside from pushing one's own agenda, I don't understand whats to be gained by overlaying an out-of-context (you don't work with these people) arms-length blanket judgement. If everyone in this article is ready to move forward, why shouldn't you be?
14
People with power on set (lead actors and EPs) never shut up about cast and crew as a “family.” Notice how many times Mr. Bateman uses “family” to excuse Mr. Tambor’s horrendous behavior.
You know who never refers to a TV production as “family?” Below-the-line workers like myself. I’m not confused about my family. They’re the people who comfort me after an actor yells at me, throw objects, and threatens me physically in the name of his “process.”
Mr. Tambor is at work. He is an actor paid to pretend to be part of a pretend family. A set is not a living room or a Thanksgiving table. It is a workplace, a place where everyone should expect to be treated with a modicum of professionalism. If anyone can’t handle that, they should not continue to be hired in our industry.
261
Ms. Walters did what was best for her. She made a conscious decision to forgive his despicable behavior rather than her anger. She is trying to move on.
Tambor may be trying to learn from his experience but he did not, even once, correct his fellow male cast members when each of them when they tried to normalize his behavior. They were blaming Ms. Walter for calling out his behavior in any way. I suspect that none of them were aware that they were doing that but that's the problem. Women are always expected to understand and accept that that's just the way things are. They sent a message to Ms. Walter and other women actors and every other woman in the profession. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
For women and enlightened men, it's clear that the message from everyone should be directed toward Tambor. Control your behavior or find another job.
20
Can you people grow up? Work is stressful. People yell under stress. It's not a male or female problem. It's part of normal human activity. Please stop trying to eliminate humanity from our lives. Ms. Walter is an elegant grown human. She handled herself perfectly.
19
No. Abusive behavior stems from the perception that one is entitled, from status, power, gender, etc., to act out without repercussions. A lighting technician throwing a tantrum on set is not likely to be considered as acceptable as the lead actor behaving similarly.
44
Yes, she did. Walter isn't the issue here.
10
No, actually yelling at co-workers is NOT normal work behavior.
43
On "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Wednesday night, Batemen told a story about a taxi accident that he was in with Will Arnett, and kept referring to Arnett as "she" in a pejorative way, since Arnett was apparently upset about the collision. It was so blatantly sexist in that moment (and I wish Colbert had said something) and Batemen continues a really mean, misogynistic streak here. Grotesque. All of the male actors interviewed for this article ran to the defense of a bully, leaving their female colleagues, one in tears, hanging in the wilderness. What a pathetic display of our patriarchal system, reflected here.
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@cath70
Well, I guess thats one interpretation of this article. And of course its always easier to lob dismissive judgement from afar, opting to view things through narrow scopes that tend to reconfirm our own prejudices and agendas.
But there is another more nuanced, mature reading of this piece that speaks directly to openness, communication, healing, and acknowledgment of the general messiness of family and human interactions.
4
Nope. That's not what this scenario, as described here via direct quotes, paints at all, but you be you and mansplain the article to me. (And if you're a woman, you're still mansplaining.) There's no healing here at all, just women doing what we're usually forced to do — placate and forgive men for their bad behavior in the workplace whilst being disregarded by our male colleagues.
23
Jessica, I respect you as a fine actress. But it looks to me that you are owed an apology for the lack of awareness of your male cast members of the anti feminism of your fellow actor Tambor.
Have any of them been berated and yelled at by Tambor? My guess is no, or else they would not have been so cavalierly accepting of the way Tambor has treated you.
131
Shameful. And so disrespectful. I see Bateman is apologizing today. Self preservation, I assume. I love Arrested Development - but not at any cost. Jessica - don't beg to work w/ these horrible men "in a heartbeat". They don't deserve a woman of integrity. You will always be Libby in The Group to me! Fabulous performance.
62
All this bad male behavior. We seem to have lost a sense of proportion. I am female, and I remember losing my temper and yelling a time or two. If we make the whole #metoo movement about temper tantrums, it is made of fluff and will melt away in the next hard rain. Rape and yelling cannot be lumped into the same basket. If I had been Ms Walters, and he yelled at me like that, I would have made as if to hug him and then bitten him on the shoulder. Hard. Problem solved. He would never do that again. And I wouldn't need to be angry about it for years. Women need to fight fire with a fire hose, because tears are too weak.
10
You would not have done anything of the sort. Have you bitten a colleague who has berated, humiliated or behaved improperly before? My guess is no. You would have sucked it up as Ms. Walters did and probably never talked about it again. The truth is her reaction was not the problem, Tambors actions were.
59
I have. I also chased an inportuning man off with a nine inch chefs knife. Adults who have temper tantrums rely on other adults in the room to remain adult. When they figure out that not every one will, and that it will hurt to misbehave so badly, they will think twice.
I was truly interested to see what Tambor would say, what the cast would say, and I am disappointed. Tambor's behavior, which was so upsetting to Walter that she was nearly in tears discussing it, still, was 'forgiven' here not so much in a way that empowered Walter, but in a way where Bateman tried to explain it away, steamroll any protests (Shawkat notably speaks once, and then not again), and excuse it while shooting lighter fluid from one sleeve as an ineffectual diversion.
I really wanted Tambor to be able to stay on the cast, as his character is indispensable to the show, and there is so much in modern society that tells you not to express your opinions if they differ, and not to create conflict or lash out, and while most reasonable adults can avoid redirecting their own frustrations onto someone else, some people cannot. Some people simply have shorter tempers, and that is a defect that they either choose to acknowledge and modify or not.
Not once did Tambor apologize to Walter here, and I get the impression that he still feels justified in his behavior.
These people are actors, sure, that can explain some of the behavior, but they are also human beings and I think Walter is the only one being typically dismissed as an older woman who the men are allowing to speak to mollify the audience.
This show would not be what it is without Lucille, without Walter. Archer would be nothing without Walter. She is a pillar of our modern works and she deserves better.
63
Thank you for a really intriguing article and for the audio clip, especially. It appeared to me that the men were talking over Ms. Shawkat, but allowed Ms. Walters space to speak. As charming and amusing as I find Mr. Bateman, it's rather alarming that he chose to explain away what had to have been an outrageous outburst from Mr. Tambor. As always, I've enjoyed reading reader responses; the NYT has an articulate and knowledgeable audience.
45
I’ll never look at Jason Bateman the same again. This interview was pitiful and eye-opening.
And Jessica Walter, thank you for your talent and keep on being the classy star you’ve always been.
233
Thank you! I read this yesterday and it’s been bothering me since then. I’ve lost a lot of respect for “the good ol’ boys” on this show. This was disgusting.
62
It's really weird to me how they are talking about this explosive episode between Tambor and Walter as if he's not sitting there himself. Does he not care to weigh in himself?
19
Everyone in Hollywood sounds insane.
9
There is no excuse for screaming at and yelling at and belittling others in the workplace (or anywhere in life, actually). It does not matter what profession one is in, creative or not.
156
As a male who has been screamed at repeatedly by two different female managers in my career - one of them threw something at me - I have zero interest in this becoming part of "me, too." It's not. Tambor is not Weinstein. Can anyone tell the difference? I don't know anything about his alleged sexual improprieties in Transparent, but I do know that women scream and men scream at work - and neither is permissible. Both are abuses of power. Period.
I wish that overreactions would stop blurring distinctions in all this.
10
Ellis, I agree. Neither men nor women should behave that way in the workplace.
2
Mansplaining in its purest form...
265
Jessica Walter is a star. She is the biggest star on the show. She always has been. She is the performer with the most experience - on the screen and on the stage. The rest of them are nobodies compared to her.
I thought Cross was supposed to be some kind of new type feminist? Yeah, right. Talk's cheap, eh Cross?
Bateman's about as deep as a saucer.
Heard stories about what a problem tambor was on the Larry Sanders show. He was screaming back then. Interesting how his difficult behavior never hurt his getting work.
Oh wait - that only happens to female actors.
245
Totally agree that Jessica Walter is peerless....as great as she was in "Play Misty For Me", she has only gotten better. For her to be treated with anything less than profound respect is unacceptable. For anyone to make excuses for it is worse.
121
To be fair, Ive never been sure why "performance art" always seems to get a pass when it comes to brutally inappropriate treatment of fellow actors and crew. Personally, I never cared much for the - "oh they are really talented and being tempermental is part of their charm"
bit. JW is an absolute standout on the show - which says something given how strong all of the performances are.
62
Very insightful and important article yet so very sad. We all walk out the door everyday and encounter people who wake up every day believing that they are great and the rest of us are low lives. In order to feed there disturbed egos we have to put up with them, from the bus driver,human resources, store manager, mail delivery services, we encounter people who have power over our lives. There are so many of them it is difficult to call them out each and every time for hateful behavior. For example I am an artistic so I should be allowed to do what I do etc. I am white and your a minority so I can rant at a store cause I am special. Then say I am sorry, men are raised by mothers and fathers did they not learn anything or is the greed, power a secret life so important to them and that is all these very disturbed men worship.
17
Oh man. This hurt to read. If they're a family, then why is no one (other than Alia Shawkat) standing up for Jessica Walter? Jason Bateman and Jeffrey Tambor could lead a masterclass in gaslighting. The audio is just disturbing. I really feel for her.
419
I read the excerpts and was astounded but then listened to the one minute audio of the men talking over Alia Shawkat's solo effort to note that this behavior is unacceptable and Jessica Walter's heartbreaking, tearful (mis)statement that SHE had to "get over it" and forgive Tambor ... to which he replies "Absolutely." Hearing this, and the men's immediate laughter after making another juvenile joke instead of simply acknowledging Walter's pain was appalling. Brava, ladies. Guys, time to get woke.
37
Jason Bateman doth protest too much, methinks.
95
I love Arrested Development
5
Yeah, it really felt like all the men in the room were trying to fast forward past Walter having her moment to explain what happened, and justify it away. The fact that she said at the outset - "I want you to say in the article, there's so much testosterone in this room," was telling too. It's pretty hard to assess without knowing what, in fact, happened, but certainly the male cast members didn't seem very sensitive to her experience and mostly wanted to explain it away.
I wonder if they think Tambor was treated unfairly by Transparent, and they feel the need to rally behind him? That might explain, in part, why they were trying to give him an out. But scapegoating Walter to do it was noticeable and groan-worthy.
163
The onslaught from the men talking over and dismissing Jessica Walter is painful. Yet this is how men talk to and over women every day in the work place. Women are still not respected in this society. It's always the man who matters most, apparently. Not acceptable.
371
Thank you, Alia Shawkat, for insisting that the behavior--no matter how great an actor it's coming from--is unacceptable. And, thank you, Jessica Walter, for insisting that the behavior is actually not common on a set and can't be excused as such. It would have been a sign of real progress if any of the several men in this room had had a better take than what is printed in this transcript. Good god, how disappointing. Jessica Walter, you are an amazing, gifted actor. Anyone should be ready and willing to work with you "in a heartbeat." You deserve to be respected for your craft and expertise. You deserve to be protected from abuse from a coworker (even a fancy, artsy, talented, "familial" one). Bateman, Tambor, Hale, Arnett, Cross: you need to listen more closely to what is happening right now. A better response to Tambor would be: it's unacceptable, we won't tolerate it, and it shouldn't happen. And another take on the whole "everyone does this job differently" thing is that If you need to demean and abuse others for your "process" then you're actually *not* good at your job.
479
It sounds like these people are too wrapped up in their personal issues to make a funny show, and probably always were. The "Arrested Development" cult can keep it.
3
Just...
#boycottjasonbateman #boycottjeffreytambor
4
It seems painfully obvious to me that the men in this cast are doing everything they can to mitigate Tambor's bad behavior while Walter is still hurt by it and Shawkat is taking a harder line. Still feels like a boys' club out there.
352
is there a full video or audio of the interview? did I miss it in the text?
4
NY Times released a minute of it and claims that it highlights the men walking over.... yet nowhere in the clip do they actually do that. Rather bizarre piece of "journalism."
2