Why did Lena Dunham & Jenni Konner really end their producing partnership?

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I know I couldn’t be friends with Lena Dunham. I knew girls/women like her in college, and they were absolutely the worst. But here’s what I ask myself sometimes: would I even be able to handle Lena in small doses, like as a casual acquaintance? I don’t think I would be able to even do that. After five minutes, I would end up losing my temper and bitching her out over something dumb and problematic. So how is that Jenni Konner managed to not only be Lena’s closest friend for more than a decade, but also her producing partner, writing partner and business partner? Is Jenni Konner just like Lena, or does Jenni Konner simply have excess reserves of patience and the ability to see past a lot of bulls–t? I don’t know. But I do think Jenni has had enough. A few days ago, Konner and Dunham announced their professional split:

It’s the end of an era. Girls and Camping creators and longtime friends Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner have split as producing partners ahead of the December expiration date of their joint overall deal with HBO for their A Casual Romance Productions banner. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Dunham and Konner are in talks for individual overall deals with the premium cable network.

Sources say that the duo, who jointly executive produce HBO’s upcoming Jennifer Garner comedy series Camping, will be taking a break from their partnership to work on other projects. It’s unclear how long the pair will remain apart. Dunham and Konner have multiple projects in the works together under their soon-to-expire deal with HBO in addition to a feature film that falls outside of their TV pact. (Details on those projects are being kept under wraps.)

“We have had one of the most significant relationships together in our adult lives and we respect each other’s choices. While our interests are pulling us in different directions right now, we are excited about our current work and are firmly committed to the projects we have together. HBO has been our home for quite some time and we look forward to continuing there as we both move forward,” Dunham and Konner said Tuesday in a joint statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

While Dunham and Konner’s HBO deal does not expire until December, the decision was made to split early as Camping — written and exec produced by Dunham and Konner — has already wrapped production on its initial run of eight episodes.

[From The Hollywood Reporter]

My immediate vibe was “oooh, I bet there’s some behind-the-scenes drama and it just hasn’t spilled out yet.” But Konner attended a panel discussion yesterday and she cited the fact that it’s already been eight years of producing for their company and “That’s really long for a collaboration and we just want to do different things. There’s no drama. It’s just work. It’s just the creative process.” So what do you think? I think that Lena Dunham is a sinking ship and people around her and looking for the exits. But honestly, that’s wishful thinking on my part.

CB mentioned these photos, below, of Konner and Jennifer Garner at yesterday’s panel discussion. One, if Konner & Dunham are still A-OK to do Camping together, why was Lena not at this panel discussion? Two, do you think Garner is Team Konner because Lena is a maybe-sinking-ship?

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23 Responses to “Why did Lena Dunham & Jenni Konner really end their producing partnership?”

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  1. AnotherDirtyMartini says:

    To answer the headline question: because Lena is exhausting?

    I’m halfway kidding. I think Key & Peele went their separate ways, right? They work on separate projects now but might occasionally do a movie. It happens.

  2. savu says:

    Eh eight years really is a long time, especially when you’re with such a needy person. Good for Jenni!

  3. Marty says:

    Because they’re both terrible?

  4. Peggy says:

    I don’t actually think there’s anything much here. They had a joint deal with HBO and it expires at the end of the year. They didn’t appear to have anymore joint projects lined up for production before then, so there was no reason for them not to do their own things a bit earlier.

    I expect one or both have solo projects or projects with other people soon to be announced, and since they still have a joint deal they’re just getting it out there now so neither will be mistakenly credited as part of the others new projects.

  5. Neelyo says:

    Let’s not give Konner too much credit. She cowrote that letter defending the rapist.

    She’s probably as much of an asshole as Dunham, just not as famous for it.

  6. Tw says:

    Even the name of their production company, A Casual Romance, is annoying. She doth protest too much. Nothing is casual, although she will write a 50 page dissertation on why it is.

  7. Dutch says:

    Dunham brings a lot of baggage with her. It’s difficult enough for a woman to get something made in Hollywood, why would you handicap yourself further by pairing yourself up with someone with Dunham’s reputation and track record of volatility.

  8. Mee says:

    I hate Garner’s non red carpet outfits. An H/m looking skirt and tank?? Granted it’s probably high end but sheesh

    • madlibby says:

      yea but how else will she keep up her Normal Mom brand?

      she allegedly calls the paps to show up at her walking her kids to school and church. thats messed up.

      • Starkiller says:

        Is that also why her makeup is shockingly bad in these pictures? She wants it to look like she did it herself?

  9. DragonWise says:

    Pairings work for narcissists as long as their bottomless needs feel like they are met. Jenni has to be a piece of work herself to cleave to this problematic heifer for so long! I bet they are both a bit too big for their britches and want to try to be the lone “star.” There probably isn’t any particular drama, just mediocre narcissists born on third trying to round home alone.

  10. Elizia says:

    i like Lena, she says dumb shit but so do a lot of celebs even the ‘woke’ ones.

    • Original Jenns says:

      But it’s not just dumb. It’s hurtful and toxic and harmful and cruel. She’s damaging.

    • madlibby says:

      so you….are ok that she called a rape victim a liar? a fan of hers nonetheless?

  11. Cristina says:

    Konner is a hypocrite who co wrote that letter defending the rapist of Aurora Perrineau and when people called her out on her IG she just deleted the comments. She’s just as awful as Lena.

  12. ladida says:

    I think Lena is struggling hard with her emotional and mental health. It shows. Other “healthy” people don’t want to be around her. I recently had to cut out a toxic longtime friend, and while it’s not easy, I’m better off for it.

  13. HEAVE HO says:

    I don’t know that I’d bless this comment, although i agree that LD is a problematic person at times. It’s a pretty harsh comment, which is the opposite of a blessing. It also makes a terrible baseball metaphor, and it’s got a fattist line! Baseball is a fairly fat-friendly sport, by the way. Babe Ruth. Kirby Puckett. Lots of eating and drinking and snacking in the stands. You call her a problematic heifer; what percentage of your dislike of her that is related to her body? I am just curious, fattism is fascinating. Why does it get such a pass? Because people can lose weight? Where is the fat line drawn? Do you think everyone can lose weight and is just not trying? Fattism is one way of hating on people for who they are – do you see yourself in the same category as a racist or sexist or homophobe? If not, why not?

    • @backstagebitchy says:

      @heaveho You wrote “Fattism is one way of hating on people for who they are”.. Isn’t is problematic to say that a person’s fat (or body in general) is “who they are”?
      Is being overweight a personal identity?
      And in answer to your question, yes it’s different than race or sexual orientation or gender identity party because people can lose weight.