Kevin Spacey’s fall from grace is a huge blow for television

[TMC]

http://nypost.com/2017/10/30/kevin-s...or-television/

After five seasons on Netflix, no one has managed to topple political mastermind Frank Underwood of “House of Cards.”

But the same can no longer be said for the actor who plays him, Kevin Spacey. On Sunday, “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Anthony Rapp told BuzzFeed News that Spacey made a sexual advance on him when he was only 14 years old.

Spacey released a statement on Twitter claiming not to remember the alleged advance — and topped it off with a bit of Underwood-like political misdirection.

To paraphrase: “Sorry about that, kid, and oh, by the way, I’m choosing to live as a gay man.” (Really?)

Spacey’s had an illustrious career, including two Oscars (“American Beauty” and “The Usual Suspects”) and a recent gig hosting the Tony Awards in June. But it’s hard to imagine he’ll make it out of this with his reputation intact.

So what does this mean for him — and television more broadly?

Spacey’s not the first TV name to be swept up in the toxic tide of sexual harassment charges: Just last Wednesday, MSNBC commentator and “Game Change” co-author Mark Halperin was accused of sexually harassing and assaulting women during his ABC years. (As of this morning, he’s out at NBC News.)

But it’s different with Spacey, a wonderful actor who was able to shine in a true anti-hero role on Netflix’s flagship series. The success of the series — which was the first online-only TV show to be nominated for an Emmy — is based in large part on Spacey’s commanding performance as Frank Underwood, the US president who literally gets away with murder.

Seeing Spacey starring in his first TV series since “Wiseguy” helped to further raise the profile of the medium in the eyes of Hollywood’s elite and likely attracted other film stars trying to revive their careers.

Now the drama surrounding Spacey puts the entire show, which is currently in production on its sixth season, in jeopardy. Its creator, Beau Willimon, is already trying to distance himself from the allegations; in a statement, he says Rapp’s claim is “deeply troubling,” adding, “I neither witnessed nor was aware of any inappropriate behavior.”

If the show is not canceled, one wonders how Netflix PR will handle press inquiries when it premieres. The streaming company has developed other hot shows since, such as “Stranger Things” and “The Crown,” but “House of Cards” will always be their firstborn . Do they throw out the baby with the ugly bathwater?

The outrage on Twitter over Spacey’s statement raises the public outcry against Hollywood’s alleged sexual predators to a new pitch. One question remains: Who’s next?

As more and more of the industry’s power brokers and so-called luminaries are disgraced, it’s a wonder we’ll have anything left to watch without our stomachs turning. “Mayberry R.F.D.” is beginning to look good at this point.

[king of comedy]

Such a great actor. Shame.

[Babalu]

Yeah, I'm up nights worrying about television.

I liked Kevin Spacey too and it wasn't a big secret he was gay. This is just another in the mostly unknown thousands of predators in the amoral but preachy modern Hollywood who happened to get nailed. I don't give a rat's ass about his crappy show or the other slime balls that preach how great they are and how righteous they are and how we ignorant peons should listen to them when they blather on about women's rights or global warming.

[TMC]

Considering the video's title, a major LANGAUGE WARNING:

WTF Happened to Kevin Spacey? That's an understatement. Once the most celebrated character actor in Hollywood, who became an unlikely star after winning an Oscar for Sam Mendes' American Beauty (1999) following another Oscar for The Usual Suspects (in 1995) and his memorable role in David Fincher's Se7en, Spacey has arguably starred in more classics than many of his contemporaries. In addition to the previously mentioned movies, he also starred in the amazing L.A. Confidential, the underrated The Negotiator, Swimming with Sharks, Glengarry Glen Ross, Baby Driver, and also starred on Netflix's first big hit, House of Cards.

It all came crashing down when Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making a sexual advance at him when he was only fourteen years old. Shortly after, other men came forward with sexual harassment and assault claims, and the fallout was fierce. In this episode, we explore his rise and fall, with it ranking as one of the more troubling stories we've tackled on WTF Happened to this Celebrity.