Hollywood eating its own. That's a shame.
Paramount TV President Amy Powell fired over ‘racially charged’ comment; she says there is ‘no truth’ to it
By City News Service |
PUBLISHED: July 20, 2018 at 6:18 am | UPDATED: July 20, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Daily News
HOLLYWOOD — Paramount Television President Amy Powell has been fired after making inappropriate racial comments, it was reported Friday.
The movie and TV studio’s chief executive, Jim Gianopulos, told staff Thursday in a memo that several people raised concerns about Powell’s unspecified comments last week, sparking an internal investigation by the company. It was not immediately clear what Powell said that led to her ouster, but a person familiar with the matter said she made racially charged remarks in a meeting attended by multiple people, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Powell strongly denied making inappropriate remarks and is understood to be considering legal action, Daily Variety reported. ...
A source close to the situation said Paramount’s investigation found that Powell made statements about black women being angry for various reasons during a conference call about the “First Wives Club†series with producer Karen Rosenfelt and a handful of others, Variety reported. The group included an African-American assistant to another Paramount TV executive, who complained to studio leaders about Powell’s comments. ... rest of story at Daily News
Here's the story from Variety:
Ousted Paramount TV Chief Amy Powell Denies Making Racially Insensitive Comments
By Cynthia Littleton
Former Paramount Television president Amy Powell has denied making racially insensitive comments that led to her being fired from the studio today after a 14-year run.
Paramount Pictures chairman Jim Gianopulos told studio staffers in a memo that Powell was terminated Thursday after complaints from other employees sparked an investigation into her remarks. Powell’s remarks were made last week in what the studio described as “a professional setting.†...
Sources noted that Powell had appeared to have been irritated by a tweet sent June 28 by “First Wives†showrunner Tracy Oliver, who is African-American, criticizing the casting process on the show. Oliver was not a participant on the call.
Had a moment today that REALLY pointed out why we need representation across the board. A black female voice doesn't matter if the decision makers don't understand nor even want to understand what you're saying. Where's the #metoo for race shit out here?
— Tracy Y. Oliver (@TracyYOliver) June 28, 2018
Rest of story at Variety
