I don’t even know where to start. Aziz Ansari is not, I feel, in Hollywood Jail. Ansari is guilty of being an absolute creep, but if he chose to attend the SAG Awards last night, I feel like he would have been welcomed by most people, especially because he was nominated. James Franco was also nominated, and he chose to attend the SAGs, even though I feel like he’s guilty of a lot more than just being creepy.
James Franco didn’t walk the red carpet though. Instead, his brother Dave walked the carpet with his wife and SAG nominee Alison Brie. Brie was nominated for her work on Glow, and she wore this Glow-inspired Peter Dundas gown, which is great and fun. The problem? When she was doing red carpet interviews, Giuliana Rancic decided that Alison was the one who needed to answer questions on behalf of her brother-in-law, because I guess we’ll never live in a world where women don’t have to take the bullet meant for abusive douchebag men. Here’s the exchange:
Giuliana: As you know your family and your brother in law has been in the news recently. What can you share with us?
Alison: Above all what we’ve always said is it remains vital that anyone who feels victimized has the right to speak out and come forward. I obviously support my family and not everything that’s been reported is fully accurate. I think we’re waiting to get all the information. Of course now is the time for listening and that’s what we’re all trying to do.
[Transcribed from E! Red Carpet by Celebitchy]
It’s a balanced answer to a question she should have never been asked. Of course Brie isn’t going to burn a family member on a red carpet show, and of course she couldn’t or wouldn’t offer James Franco her full-throated support either. This is a mess.
Page Six also says that James Franco didn’t sit at the same table as his brother and Alison Brie. Some photos of Franco at the ceremony:
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
honestly, some of the claims against Franco were kind of ridiculous. and why is she being made to answer for her brother in law. it’s not even her husband!
Accusations are not baseless. Will not be surprised if more and worse come forward. He was a creep on NYU campus during his grad studies to very young women and he had a lot of power there. He did some other horrible stuff to staff there as well. Know firsthand. He’s bad. I cancelled him forever ago.
Yeah yeah and Aziz was “the moment metoo jumped the shark” we have all heard it countless times in the mainstream media. Doesnt make it true though.
Hear that ladies? The movement isn’t cool anymore! Harassment isn’t actually a big deal it turns out.
I agree that it was wrong to ask her about her BIL. Clearly she had a response ready, but that shouldn’t fall on her. Poor Trudy.
@ Lorelai-IKR? First Peter, now this.
I unexpectedly fell in love with Dave Franco during that way too sad last season of “Scrubs”. What a gloriously huge, goofy and sweet smile–makes me happy. That’s all I got.
Lol Trudy…
Her husband is known for being close to his brother so of course she is being asked. I don’t think this was Brie taking the bullet. In fact I think it’s dangerous to say that. I think this was in the spirit of #MeToo. Talk about it, ask questions, anytime, anywhere. The more it becomes normal to talk about abuse freely, without judgement l, the more victims will come forward and the more cowards will know this will not be tolerated.
@Cupcake, I don’t think anyone is saying it shouldn’t be talked about. But Alison was at an event honoring HER work and was ambushed with a question about allegations against her brother-in-law. Wrong place, wrong time, wrong person to force an answer out of. JMO
He answer is fine, but I also feel like she shouldn’t have to answer for his actions. She was there to celebrate HER career and HER nomination – why does she need to be dragged into this?
Exactly, it’s ridiculous. How about we talk about her achievements?! That was her night and they made it about James Franco, ugh.
Side note: I really like her dress. The lightning bolt sequin detail looks like something off of Glow!
@ Tegteg
Not sure about the dress, personally but I agree. Why taint her night?
Having said that, I think she handled this really well. If there’s a way to “defend” against sexual assault allegations, this is it – with great respect to the victim and his/her right to tell their truth.
Men really have a lot to learn from women……too many men, if they had attempted this “defense”, would have left behind a mangled carcass of excuses and maybe even a few mini threats for good measure (Matt Damon, I’m looking at you).
because E! wants a soundbite.
Maybe E is getting revenge for being put on the spot at the Emmys about the pay discrepancy with respect to Cat Sadler?
I agree. It’s infuriating that she should literally be called on the carpet about his behavior.
WOMEN SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ANSWER FOR MEN’S ACTIONS!!!!!!!
Yes you’re right. To be fair though the question was not that bad. It wasn’t an insolent question. She was given a choice to share if she wanted to.
She should have left out the part about not everything that is reported being fully accurate. You can’t have it both ways.
I agree that she shouldn’t have to answer for what her brother in law does but then again this seems like a fluid thing too. People shouldn’t work with Woody and openly reject him, Weinstein’s wife is considered complicit, etc.
Disagree. You can absolutely have it both ways.
Do we always assume the accused to be guilty? No! We should not. BUT that does not negate the right of anyone to be heard.
We CAN and must be able to hear, support and believe victims WHILE at the same time preserving the accused’s right to due process. If we don’t, then we are just as bad as the stupid right wingers who think all accusers are sluts and were asking for it.
+1
Exactly, that was such a bad comment. She could have just said “no comment”. Men certainly need to be asked more but actresses also need to believe women and not side with a man because he is part of their family.
Yeah, and that’s the soundbite everyone latched on to. Reading the full comment, it doesn’t seem that bad.
I thought it was inappropriate. Yes if you’re Kate Winslet waxing poetic about Allen I would ask. I would not ask if you married a sibling of someone. It’s not fair to her and she married Dave not James. Geez.
Rancic is awful (looking) and terrible interviewer, imo. Wish they’d get rid of her. Asking Brie about her husband’s brother at an event meant to shine light on her work is as dumb as Megan Kelly asking Jane Fonda about her plastic surgery while interviewing her & Redford together on their movie.
the room went quiet when aziz had his named called, which is notable.
Why would they sit at the same table when they were nominated for different projects? And it’s gross but unsurprising that Rancic tried to make Brie answerable for her brother-in-law’s issues.
Look, I’m all for putting actors on the spot regarding this topic, but this was just out of place. She shouldn’t have to answer for his actions.
Was Dave Franco asked the same question? Because if not then I don’t care what her response is. Until men get asked the same exact questions and are called out in the same manner, I’m not here for only the women having to answer for the actions of men or being the only ones called out for their “hypocrisy.” This movement started out great but it’s turned into a way to throw women under the bus for what they say or don’t say. I have seen people digging things up from years ago just to try and discredit women who are speaking up and being vocal. And I wonder why it’s happening now when women are finally getting their voices heard.
+1000
+2000
F@$& James, let’s talk about Brie and her awesome dress and gorgeous figure! Congrats for her nomination, she was good in Glow.
I don’t feel that was appropriate to ask her at this point. This is someone she is related to my marriage, not someone she chose to work with.
Aside from the “not everything is accurate”
I think she handled it as well as she could.
James Franco is the only one who has to answer to James Franco.
What if the “not everything is accurate” statement was her referring to her dear, creepy ass BIL…and his crap has been floating out there FOR YEARS regarding his inappropriate behavior with girls/women….she knew she was gonna be asked this question at some point…and I think she answered the best she could considering the situation she’s in…I ADORE her onscreen and off…and I LOVE THE HECK OUTTA THAT DRESS AND SHOES!!! Fredrick’s From Hollywood would be SO PROUD! (no shade, seriously!)
It’s ridiculous that she was asked that question. She handled it well. I think, realistically, we can’t expect her to be harder on an in-law than that.
As for the “not accurate” statement, it’s the new way of denial that metoo has brought on. The accused used to be much harsher on the accusers; calling them extortionists, liars and revenge-seekers. Now, the standard response is saying it’s not “accurate” / “how it happened”. Nonetheless, I think the LA times article was written so poorly & with so many holes that it left more room for defense. All the events were presented without enough context which could make a difference in terms of how they are seen.
Does E! do anything right on the red carpet anymore? I’m legitimately asking because they’ve honestly sucked the last few awards seasons and I’m over all of them.
I’ll say it again for the people in the back…
WOMEN SHOULD NOT BE ASKED TO ANSWER FOR MEN’S ACTIONS. WOMEN ARE NOT MEN’S KEEPERS.
She married his brother, that’s it. Family or not, she didn’t choose James Franco. She chose Dave. And that is vastly different from actively supporting your husband, furthering or benefitting from his career etc. Those are choices and while the men should always be talked about/asked first, I’ll say it again, you are the company you keep. To an extent. Not every woman who chooses a creep or a criminal is completely innocent and shouldn’t be bothered.
It’s a bit ridiculous to say that wives, for example, are exempt when Kate Winslet gets dragged at every opportunity (rightfully so). SHE didn’t do anything. Can’t have it both way.
She needs to learn a good carpet pose. The way she is contorting her body does nothing for the dress or her amazing figure.
Its also infuriating that Dave was there (not that he should have to speak for his brother either) but yet all the media outlets have to focus on what she had to say in the matter.
She answered as eloquently as possible and she’s right. When sexually abusive/harassing behavior is allowed to operate in the shadows it runs rampant. Best thing is to shine a bright light on it and give the victim the support to tell their story.