THE FIRING
On December 17th, the storm started.
Michael Muhney ("Adam Newman" from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS on Twitter:
HuffPost TV Canada:
Soap columnist Michael Logan on Twitter:
As expected, many of Michael Muhney's fans have jumped on board with petitions, websites and a banner to be flown over the CBS studio. Here are a few of them:
The Don't FIRE Michael Muhney FB Page
Save Michael Muhney petition
For the Love of Michael Muhney Fund
On December 17th, the storm started.
Michael Muhney ("Adam Newman" from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS on Twitter:
I'm so sorry. It breaks my heart to say this, but I was just let go from Y&R. My last day on set is this Thursday. My last air date will be Jan 30th. I'm going to take some private time with my wife & kids, as I am most concerned for their well-being. I have 3 episodes to film, and because they are my last, I will be giving it everything I have. More details to follow...#xoxoxoOn December 18th, Michael did an exit interview with Nelson Branco of HuffPost TV Canada:
Q: Who told you? And what's the official reason for your departure?
A: [Executive Producer] Jill [Farren Phelps]. We had a private talk in her office. She's always been very kind to me. We have a good rapport. It was intimate ... the way it was handled. [Pauses] Part of me feels this is because I've always been outspoken, and sometimes I've been too outspoken. Sometimes I've walked around with a big backpack full of hubris. That is entirely on me. CBS, Sony, and Jill Phelps are not to blame for that. If I'm going to claim to be a grown man, I have to own that. But it could be financial or story. It was explained to me that CBS and Sony want to give Adam a break for 3-6 months and then they'll bring him back with a different actor. Maybe he does need a break. Adam has been on screen a lot. He's not being killed off."The backlash was fast and furious. For the first time, The Young and The Restless was trending on Twitter due to fan response. Many were blaming executive producer Jill Farren Phelps for playing favorites with actors and getting rid of cast members who didn't "toe the line". Another theory was that Eric Braeden (Victor, Y&R; perhaps one of the most powerful actors in daytime) had him fired.
HuffPost TV Canada:
Q: It's no secret that you and your co-star Eric Braeden [Victor Newman] have had your differences. Was he involved in your firing?
A: I do know one thing for sure: I really look up to and respect my friend, [Emmy-winning "General Hospital" star] Maura West. She had the most dignified walk down The Green Mile that I've ever seen [when she was fired from "Y&R," too]. In her final days, when her character was dead woman walking, she held her head up high and was classy and professional right until the end. I plan on doing the same thing with everyone I've worked with on the show. I'll apologize for when my character bled into my real life at times and if I was intense a few times. But I'll let everyone know how blessed and honoured I was that I got to work with them all. I got to be an actor in a land where you can play dress-up and pretend with a collective group of other talented actors. I'm going to take Maura's lead. If there were disagreements in the past with Eric, for me, it has to be history.Eric Braeden response on Twitter:
Unfortumately there is a Canadian soap gossip who is spreading TOTALLY unfounded, vicious crap fed to him by a certain actor!...Implying I had to do with MWest's departure is libelous!!Maura West (ex-Diane, Y&R) response on Twitter:
Have no idea why my name is involved in any of it.THE INNUENDO
Soap columnist Michael Logan on Twitter:
If/when the REAL Muhney story comes out, U won't B blaming ANYONE at @YandR_CBS @Sony or @CBSDaytimeDoug Davidson (Paul, Y&R) -- NOTE: These tweets have since been deleted:
Please know we love you guys and we will continue to bring you the best show we can. I've got at least 20 castmates that vow the same pledge. The Young and the Restless is a team sport. Honestly, JFP's is not to blame. She is terrific. Today's events don't reflect her leadership. Trust me, there is more to the story.Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki, Y&R) -- NOTE: These tweets have since been deleted:
Not my place 2 reveal but the arrogance of some ppl who have NO knowledge of the situation is astonishing. THE SHOW IS NOT 2 BLAME. ANY actor would've been fired under these circumstances. Terrible loss 2 the show & it sickens me that this has happened. Jill is completely innocent in this. So is the show, Sony, CBS, etc. Tragic situation.
THE DEFENDERS
Sharon Case (Sharon, Y&R) said what words could not in this tribute video that she made for her friend and co-star. YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xx-9yMkvoY
As expected, many of Michael Muhney's fans have jumped on board with petitions, websites and a banner to be flown over the CBS studio. Here are a few of them:
The Don't FIRE Michael Muhney FB Page
Save Michael Muhney petition
For the Love of Michael Muhney Fund
THE SMUT HITS THE FAN
All throughout the holidays, that nasty little rumor was lurking on Twitter, Facebook and in the chatrooms. Once everyone had thoroughly recovered from their New Year's celebrations, TMZ decided to launch the feeding frenzy:
All throughout the holidays, that nasty little rumor was lurking on Twitter, Facebook and in the chatrooms. Once everyone had thoroughly recovered from their New Year's celebrations, TMZ decided to launch the feeding frenzy:
Michael Muhney, a big soap star who played Adam Newman on "The Young & the Restless" -- was fired last month after one of his co-stars complained to the brass that he grabbed her boobs -- on 2 occasions ... TMZ has learned.
Multiple sources connected to the show tell TMZ ... 38-year-old Muhney allegedly bullied and harassed 20-year-old Hunter King, who plays Summer on the show. She went to higher-ups and complained recently Muhney had fondled her breasts on 2 occasions -- and she said both were unsolicited and unwanted.
Sources tell us ... the new allegations were the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back." Muhney -- who is married with 3 kids -- had been a problem on the set for a long time, allegedly bullying and harassing Hunter and others. He even admitted in a recent interview with HuffPo's Canada TV after getting fired, "Sometimes I've walked around with a big backpack of hubris."
Muhney's last show will air January 30th.
Muhney has been an extremely popular character on the show, and fans are threatening to stop watching.
Calls and emails to Muhney's rep were not returned.Although the rumor had been lurking for three weeks, the "reputable" soap opera press had not touched it with a 10-foot-pole, reasonably concerned about the possible libel suits that could occur. But now that the monkey was off their backs and onto TMZ's, they all had free license to report what TMZ reported. Party time! The destruction of an actor begins...
WHAT I DON'T KNOW; WHAT I DO KNOW
Since I started this OutTakes blog and the OutTakes blogtalkradio show in 2010, I occasionally find out things, sometimes whether I want to or not. But in this case, I am no insider. I DON'T KNOW the truth nor do I pretend to.
When the news broke about Michael Muhney's firing, I was upset and shocked just like so many other soap fans. I won't lie. I think Muhney is one of the best actors in daytime; and I can lose all objectivity about really good actors in daytime. Why would they let this man go? Even with the unpopular storyline of the hit-and-run murder of "Delia Abbott", Muhney was consistently knocking every scene out of the park, riveting me with his work as "Adam Newman". I assumed he was being let go for the usual reasons: a change of regime from the higher ups, ego, money, etc. Despite the TMZ story...juicier and scandalizing and better than any soap opera storyline currently airing right now...I still suspect Muhney was let go for the usual reasons.
Here is what I do know:
Since I started this OutTakes blog and the OutTakes blogtalkradio show in 2010, I occasionally find out things, sometimes whether I want to or not. But in this case, I am no insider. I DON'T KNOW the truth nor do I pretend to.
When the news broke about Michael Muhney's firing, I was upset and shocked just like so many other soap fans. I won't lie. I think Muhney is one of the best actors in daytime; and I can lose all objectivity about really good actors in daytime. Why would they let this man go? Even with the unpopular storyline of the hit-and-run murder of "Delia Abbott", Muhney was consistently knocking every scene out of the park, riveting me with his work as "Adam Newman". I assumed he was being let go for the usual reasons: a change of regime from the higher ups, ego, money, etc. Despite the TMZ story...juicier and scandalizing and better than any soap opera storyline currently airing right now...I still suspect Muhney was let go for the usual reasons.
Here is what I do know:
I DO KNOW that Michael Muhney is good to his fans. I loved meeting him in Battery Park in 2011. Michael tweeted that he would be in NYC at that location, giving the time and date. He did pictures, autographs and a Q&A with all the fans that showed. What normally would have been at least a $60 event had cost nothing; and everyone had a wonderful time. Truly the actions of an egomaniacal monster!
I DO KNOW that Michael Muhney appreciates those who do press for him. After attending a Soap Opera Festival in Atlantic City 2012, I had written recaps of all of the Q&As there, including Muhney, Stephen Nichols (ex-Tucker, Y&R) and Michelle Stafford (ex-Phyllis, Y&R). Stafford had leaked spoiler information during her Q&A that was obviously not ready to be released to the public (to be specific, Michael Damian's return to Y&R). When I published the recap on this blog, Stafford and her fans attacked me for two hours on Twitter for "paraphrasing" her and was threatening to sue me. At the time, I didn't even realize that Damian's return was still top secret info. I deleted the article under the pressure, but I was still pretty upset. Later that day, I received a Twitter PM from Muhney. He wanted me to make a few changes to his article, thanked me for doing the piece...and said "Don't sweat it about Michelle." Words I desperately needed to read during a very hard day that gave me the strength to keep on with the keeping on as a blogger and an interviewer. Truly the actions of a reprehensible cretin!
I DO KNOW that Michael Muhney is passionate about acting and "Adam Newman". Muhney was the first one to admit that he was a "prime time guy" and had serious reservations about taking on a soap opera; but on both occasions that I heard him speak, he talked about "Adam" with such depth and intensity. The role was not just a paycheck for him but a passion. Could he come across as arrogant and outspoken? Yes. Did he talk about controversial storylines, topics and actors? Yes. Did he make enemies? Probably. But he ALWAYS delivered on the screen. Do we watch soaps for underwear models...or do we watch them to be drawn into other worlds by charismatic actors who make us feel, whether we want to or not?
None of these things that I experienced personally of Michael Muhney's character can defend him if he truly is a bully and a molester of a 20-year-old actress, but they do give me pause. I'm not out to try to get him rehired as "Adam Newman" because there has already been too much scorched earth for a return to be possible. He is not the first talented actor to be fired from a soap nor will he be the last; and ultimately it is Y&R's call. What I object to is how social media seems to be manipulated by Y&R, CBS and Sony to create an incredibly nasty smear campaign against Muhney. This is not just the firing of an actor. This is an attempt to permanently destroy him on a global scale via the internet. THAT is why I am writing this article. Am I wrong? Then I challenge someone credible with these accusations to state real proof.
GIVE HIM A FAIR TRIAL...AND THEN WE'LL HANG HIM!
-- The Actors Doth Protest on Twitter Too Much: Look at the uncalled-for reactions of Eric Braeden and Maura West on Twitter. Eric Braeden had a pretty volatile reaction to Muhney's response in the HuffPost interview. All Muhney had said was that "if there were disagreements in the past with Eric, for me, it has to be history." Did he out and out accuse Braeden of anything? Muhney went out of his way to duck Branco's outright question. And how did Muhney imply that Braeden had anything to do with Maura West's firing from Y&R? He simply said he wanted to leave as gracefully as that actress had left. And why was Maura West so upset that her name was brought up? Wasn't Muhney paying her a compliment?
GIVE HIM A FAIR TRIAL...AND THEN WE'LL HANG HIM!
-- The Actors Doth Protest on Twitter Too Much: Look at the uncalled-for reactions of Eric Braeden and Maura West on Twitter. Eric Braeden had a pretty volatile reaction to Muhney's response in the HuffPost interview. All Muhney had said was that "if there were disagreements in the past with Eric, for me, it has to be history." Did he out and out accuse Braeden of anything? Muhney went out of his way to duck Branco's outright question. And how did Muhney imply that Braeden had anything to do with Maura West's firing from Y&R? He simply said he wanted to leave as gracefully as that actress had left. And why was Maura West so upset that her name was brought up? Wasn't Muhney paying her a compliment?
-- What ever happened to those "More to the Story" tweets anyway? Now we are seeing pretty pictures of scenic spots and puppy dogs on the Twitter pages of Melody Thomas Scott and Doug Davidson. What happened to those warriors for Jill Farren Phelps? There was a reason those tweets were deleted. Can anyone say lawsuit?
-- If this is all about sexual harassment, why did Y&R allow any of these cast members to tweet anything in the first place? Aren't lawyers involved? Shouldn't a gag order have been put up in place immediately on his firing?
-- And About that Firing: If Muhney was fired for sexual harassment, why did they keep him on to finish three more shows? Wouldn't the termination have been immediate to avoid liability? I'm not a lawyer, but just sayin'. Also, would Muhney have tweeted about it and done an exit interview if he knew he had something to hide? Playing pretty high stakes, I'd say. Or was it Muhney spinning his own publicity and doing some slapdash damage control before it all hit the fan?
-- Consider the Source: Brian McDaniel, "a staple on TMZ and one of the editor producers for the show" is married to Anjelica McDaniel, Senior Vice President of CBS Daytime programming. An article from Highlight Hollywood is now confirming that McDaniel leaked the story to her husband. More evidence of a CBS executive manipulating social media in an attempt to permanently destroy Muhney's career and protect Jill Farren Phelps; and if Hunter King is a victim, she apparently was collateral damage.
-- What is the deal with Maria Arena Bell (former Y&R executive producer and head writer)? First, she said on Soap Opera Digest:
Michael brought amazing dimension and complexity to the role of Adam Newman, and his and Sharon's (Sharon Case) was a great dark love story. Sadly, that story was seriously derailed in the last year, so I am not surprised that the show would look for a solution to their problematic storytelling decisions. It will be a tough role to recast.Oh, but wait. What she REALLY meant to say was...
Let me be clear. Tommy, I am a fan of Michael Muhney, the actor -- not the person. Frankly he should have been let go months before because of his behind the scenes actions. It's still a loss for the fans. Instead of acting quickly, they tried to turn the fans against the character of Adam. Bad move. And they should not recast right away now. It's too damaged. The only thing that matters in this story -- now in TMZ is that a young girl is protected. She should have been all along. People should have been more decisive, not less in this matter. (Highlight Hollywood)OK, so let's get this straight. Bell talks like she knows for a FACT that Muhney did some suspect "behind-the-scenes" actions to Hunter King. But Bell was no longer producer and headwriter. Was she there? Did she see him do it? How does she know ANYTHING for a fact? Unless she knows that Muhney was up to no good during her own reign...and if that was the case, why didn't SHE fire him?
-- He Said, She Said: Now there is a report by Examiner that Hunter King made up the whole thing because Muhney rebuffed her advances. A nice plot twist to this reality soap opera behind the scenes. Or is this a sad case of avid Michael Muhney fans blaming the victim so that their actor won't be further destroyed? Now two careers can be destroyed for the price of one. And the beat goes on...
-- You think blackballing with a smear campaign at Y&R is an impossibility? Read Brenda Dickson's book about her experiences as "Jill Abbott". She can tell you all about it. My True Hidden Hollywood Story.
STOP THE MADNESS!
I'm not saying Michael Muhney is an angel. Just because he's a great actor who did an awesome "Adam Newman" doesn't mean he's guiltless. But I'm not saying he's guilty either.
I'm saying CBS, Sony and/or Y&R need to man up with a public statement that they fired Muhney over sexual harassment if that is the truth (as opposed to having cast members tweet quasi-accusations and spreading stories of "allegations" on smut sites like TMZ). Or better yet, if Muhney is innocent, I am begging him to come out with a statement in his own defense. Somebody stop the madness!!!
RELATED OUTTAKES ARTICLE:
MICHAEL MUHNEY Q&A SOAP OPERA FESTIVAL
http://outtakesinterviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/michael-muhney-q-soap-opera-festival.html
I'm saying CBS, Sony and/or Y&R need to man up with a public statement that they fired Muhney over sexual harassment if that is the truth (as opposed to having cast members tweet quasi-accusations and spreading stories of "allegations" on smut sites like TMZ). Or better yet, if Muhney is innocent, I am begging him to come out with a statement in his own defense. Somebody stop the madness!!!
RELATED OUTTAKES ARTICLE:
MICHAEL MUHNEY Q&A SOAP OPERA FESTIVAL
http://outtakesinterviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/michael-muhney-q-soap-opera-festival.html
Great article, thanks!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, well written; I am really sad that MM and HHK have been treated this way; I only hope that they both will recover. I don't think either of them should say anything. Let Sony, CBC and Y&R clean up this mess, they made it! They will probably fire somebody and then sweep the whole thing under the rug!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this article. You were fair and balanced, the way journalism should be. Loved your comment..."the destruction of an actor begins." Sad but true.
ReplyDeleteThis truly is an exceptional article! Thank you for exploring every option!
ReplyDeleteThe best article on those whole michael muhney disaster! I'm glad that someone is finally being fair and not putting the guy down. He is an amazing actor and this whole ridiculous story is nothing but damage control on CBS part. They did not give tmz this story until so many fans threatened to stop watching and have the banner flyer across the studio. Y&R has a bunch of bullies on that show, and as much as i love michael muhney, I'm glad that he's free of that show, so he does not have to put up with them. All of the actor who spoke out, did so to protect themselves and suck up to CBS because they are worried for themselves. They know how amazing Michael Muhney is and they were threatened by how talented he is and how much the fans love, even though he's been on the show so many years less than they have. I really do hope for the best for him, he deserves it.
ReplyDeletewhat really is getting out of hand is the twitter comments by the other soap stars. they are losing fans because they are insulting them and trying to belittle them, if you don't know all the facts then don't tweet about it. you are ruining your own fan base by acting out like jerks. I'm ready to un-follow some of them just by how they are responding to upset fans.
DeleteThis has been the most insightful and reasonable article written on this topic since it broke. Anyone who cares about this story should read this page. It definitely puts things in a proper perspective. Instead of jumping to conclusions, whether you believe MM is innocent or not, all the facts need to be considered and just who the "source" is that leaked the story should be thought about as well.
ReplyDeleteExcellent overview. 'Just "what's up" I,2,3 and things that make ya'say "ummmm"
ReplyDeleteExcellent article, point by point, strategically laid out. There is nothing I could contribute to make it any more noteworthy. Although I might just add that I AM an attorney and this entire affair reeks of potential lawsuits by either or both actors involved against CBS and SONY. I suspect there is much more yet to come and, ultimately, the entire matter will be resolved by attorneys and executive officers, in a conference room, accompanied by confidentiality agreements, mutually issued statements, substantial compensation and some much-needed reprimands and firings. This is a prime example of unsupervised actions, tweaked at every end possible with backhanded foul play, accompanied by mismanagement and responsible parties who were at best asleep at the helm.
ReplyDeletePlease share my articles with your family, friends and other fans in all Y&R Pages, Groups and sites!
ReplyDeleteRaise awareness to get our favourite actors Michael Muhney, Billy Miller and Michelle Stafford back on Y&R. Thank you.
http://talinorfali.wordpress.com/2013/12/28/the-young-and-the-restless-fans-are-not-pleased/
http://talinorfali.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/save-michael-muhney-fans-are-heartbroken/
https://www.facebook.com/GetTalinOrfaliOnTheTalk
http://talinorfali.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/fans-of-the-young-and-the-restless-upset-and-disappointed/
http://talinorfali.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/we-demand-michael-muhney-billy-miller-back-on-yr/
I never believe in anything I hear unless I see it with my own 2 eyes and hear it with my own 2 ears right from the source, until then, These people who spread rumors need to stop playing the game broken telephone and get their facts straight.
ReplyDeleteSo IF this happened twice, it would, of course be inappropriate. But actors are often playfully inappropriate. It's not that unusual. And, I can only wonder why the actress didn't make known in no uncertain terms that it would not be allowed again after the first time. That she would register a complaint. The man isn't a fool. If it happened and she put her foot down, I don't buy him doing it a second time. It doesn't add up to me.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she was intimidated and i see why after seeing how people write her off and believe HIM!
DeleteWell-thought and well-said. This situation is becoming a morass that will swallow everyone. I also have seen two separate incidents where young ladies seriously believed they had been sexually harassed. I witnessed the incidents and was able to inform the management that no harassment had taken place. I have also been sexually harassed and I can tell you that it didn't happen a second time.
ReplyDeleteHurray, you said it all. This was the best written article that I've read so far. Yes, I wish Michael Muhney would say something, but I'm sure that all involved were sworn to secrecy and that if there are attorney's involved they have advised the same thing. Bottom line is Michael Muhney is the best actor on the show and without him I doubt that there will be a show for very much longer.
ReplyDeleteGreat article. It does indeed look like a smear campaign. But what about the work environment these actors work in? Jeanne Cooper supposedly said in her book that she groped coworkers as a joke? She readily admitted sexually harassing coworkers in fun. If so, CBS has tolerated sexual harassment as a "fun" work environment for years. Could be why no one complained, as they didn't want to jeopardize their jobs. Along comes a young starlet, who supposedly complains? Then management fires MM to "avoid a lawsuit." If this ends up in court, it could open CBS & Sony up to years of lawsuits with all victims of Jeanne Cooper & others coming forward to cash in their chips for being silent all of these years. CBS is hoping that fans will be so appalled by MM's "alleged" actions that we won't look any deeper.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head. JC always grabbed rear ends of male cast members...there is even video of this...so CBS is definitely at fault for not stepping in sooner to let their employees know that type of behavior should not be tolerated. HR is also at fault for not providing training regarding sexual harassment.
DeleteBest article I've read during this whole fiasco. Very fair.
ReplyDeleteThis has been the best article written on this fiasco so far. Very well written an unbiased.
ReplyDeleteWe have two victims in this scandal.. I say the Muhney Movement must go forward to show CBS/Sony what a horrible way they have handled this malicious, vicious scandal about two of their employees. Who would want to work under JFP, CBS Sony? They did not protect either one of them and they are letting the public crucify them. After reading the information pertaining to his firing, I do believe Michael is the victim and I hope he sues the pants off of all involved and I hope he wins Millions. I do believe his firing is the worst in history. Y&R is dead to this 40 year fan. I hope I never here the word Y&R after the 31st of Jan. 2014. All Muhney fans need to stay united and continue with our movement.
BROVO!! Well said, BettyBoo. When Michael goes, so do I!!
DeleteThank you for writing this article. Thank you for not throwing my favorite daytime soap star under the bus like CBS Sony and TMZ. have done.
ReplyDeleteWe have two victims in this scandal.. I say the Muhney Movement must go forward to show CBS/Sony what a horrible way they have handled this malicious, vicious scandal about two of their employees. Who would want to work under JFP, CBS Sony? They did not protect either one of them and they are letting the public crucify them. After reading the information pertaining to his firing, I do believe Michael is the victim and I hope he sues the pants off of all involved and I hope he wins Millions. I do believe his firing is the worst in history. Y&R is dead to this 40 year fan. I hope I never here the word Y&R after the 31st of Jan. 2014. All Muhney fans need to stay united and continue with our movement.
Great article I still feel there is so much we do not know and I do not think anyone is innocent but it could have been handled so much better and eveyone would still be working , I will never like Summer again, did not like her before and this does not help.
ReplyDeleteHoping that Michael finds happiness and success in whatever he does, too good of an actor to be down for long.
This is the best article on this entire fiasco that I have read so far. You pointed out all of the inconsistencies with all of the tweets and comments very well. If sexual harassment actually occurred, firing him would have been the least of his worries because he'd be facing charges right now.
ReplyDeleteOpen knowledge that Jeanne Cooper squeezed the jewels and buns of many male actors on the show. Harassment it harassment. But I guess it is ok for a 30 + year veteran rather than a 4 year newbie.
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY
Deleteand ok for a woman vs a man ;)
DeleteExcellent article. I totally agree with your sentiments. Totally fair to all.
ReplyDeleteThat was a GREAT article! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all above. thank you!
ReplyDeleteagree
ReplyDeleteThank you, very well said in depth and fair analysis of a situation done carefully and with much thought. Michael Muhney fans are asking for the same thing, the truth! Surely if anything as serious as these allegations did occur, Mr. Muhney would have been immediately escorted off the set and off the lot, yet he was allowed to finish out the week. If such a thing occurred, certainly Y&R or Daytime Executives would not have leaked the name of the young woman who may have been involved. We fans need CBS/Sony/Y&R to do a thorough investigation and let us know. If not, then they may as well count on Y&R loosing most of its' fan base and no longer being a # 1 daytime drama!
ReplyDeleteVery well put together Laurie. I hope his life gets back on track after all this.
ReplyDeleteFrom Jeanne Cooper's book, page 140. "I unexpectedly paused to say hello to Greg (Kevin), ran my hand down his tie while complimenting him on it, and got in a good pinch to his groin before heading up the aisle to my waiting groom." Here is documented proof of sexual harassment on the set of Y&R, not some libelous rumor being posted on TMZ's trash site.
ReplyDeleteBig MM fan here, thanks for a great story. We need to hear the truth!
ReplyDeleteBig MM fan here! Thanks for writing a great and fair article. We need to hear the truth!
ReplyDeleteMichael Muhney just Tweeted tonight: @michaelmuhney Benjamin Franklin said it best, "Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see." His first since Dec 19.....so it appears he IS denying these stories...
ReplyDeleteLike most of the comments, this is the best article that has come out about this whole mess. And like you have said, the destruction of an actor begins. Two actors in this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame about it all, we lose a great actor playing a great character and God I hope this does not interfere with any other opportunity that he is offered. And God, please make sure he is given more opportunities.
Muhney posted today on Twitter that we shouldn't believe what we hear so that's pretty much letting us all know he denies the rumor. I should think if the rumor is a load of crap, Hunter needs to take to Twitter and clear the air. Instead she hasn't made a peep...ummmm Tweet. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the article. HATE what SoapCentral is doing with their libelous threads.
ReplyDeleteFACT: This article is extremely fair & balanced. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteFACT: Mr. Michael Muhney can act CIRCLES around *ANY* actor currently in the Y&R cast
FACT: We the fans of Y&R, have put up with a *LOT* of garbage on our screens lately, especially over the past 5+ years. Michael was the MUCH needed breath of fresh air, passion, excitement & renewal that we had been craving on our screens for a very long time...now all that is gone.
FACT: This 40 year fan is no more. I've had enough of the pathetic storylines, loss or firing of excellent longtime actors (Jerry Douglas, Camryn Grimes, Don Diamont, Eileen Davidson, Michelle Stafford, etc) and just general all around garbage coming from the Y&R/CBS/Sony. The firing of Michael Muhney was the last straw. Jan 30th will be the last day I watch the show.
Peace out.
FACT: It's fair and balanced TO YOU. That doesn't mean it actually is.
DeleteFACT: It doesn't matter if this guy can act. It only matters what he allegedly did.
FACT: An actor is only as good as the people he's acting WITH. This is a very old adage in the business.
FACT: Fewer people will stop watching than you think. Soap viewers are long accustomed to actors and characters coming and going--it's a feature, not a bug, of the genre. They keep watching even though it's the 2000th rendition of back from the dead, amnesia, evil twin stories, long-lost children and so on, and they have kept watching these things, for 60 years now. This is because FACT: It's the characters and stories they care about, not the actors portraying them. One actor leaving hardly ever affects that; ergo, this, too, shall pass, and their numbers will stay about the same.
Really.
Smear Campaigns are a very bad way to go...CBS/Sony/Y&R someone from there or Michael Muhney or Hunter King...One of the bunch needs to come forward and tell what really is the truth... SO everyone involved in this horrible story can move on and figure out what they are going to do next... It is just very saddening for all of the fans of Y&R to lose so many of the amazing actors/actresses from the show over these past short months...It tells me...There truly is more to this story...and WE THE FANS DESERVE TO KNOW THE TRUTH...I FEEL MM IS INNOCENT...UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
ReplyDeleteI guess it hasn't occurred to you that there is undoubtedly a confidentiality agreement in place, and the actors cannot discuss it.
DeleteYou don't deserve to know the truth. It's none of your business.
Watch the show or don't, but you are not entitled to anything from these people.
I love MM/Adam and because of this and the way the story line has been declining I am done with Y&R and I have been watching since day #1..the series will be deleted from my DVR and I hope Y&R loses their 25 yr rating. As far as the incident being unsolicited and unwanted .I believe the way some women dress is solicitation. And yes, the truth needs to come out. Will follow MM in whatever he pursues
ReplyDeleteGreat article, enjoyed reading it very much. Someone needs to own up to this mess and stop the madness. As long as you add the world "allegedly" you are safe from a lawsuit. There seems to be some sort of a gag order at least between MM and HK. I think the rest of cast member should Shut their mouth. We will know the truth at some point, but until then both MM and HK career are damaged, regardless of what happened. Mean while TMZ is not done with MM just yet. They just wrote yet another article about him saying" How he was fired from Veronica and said how he was much better looking than zack braff !!!!! Really TMZ
ReplyDeleteYou say where isthe proof! Most of the time there can be no proof! So give up women, they won't believe you! We as a society have taken a step backwards! And we have to send our daughters into a world where popularity trumps all!
ReplyDeleteUm, no. We live in a society where women want to be thought of as equals to men. If so then they must stand up to as much scrutiny as the man if not they must stop with the whole self-victimization. Too many times it's been said of a man if he does something nasty, cane him, castrate him, tar and feather him. If a woman does something equally as nasty, she didn't mean to do it. I can accept mitigating circumstances in regards to her situation but I cannot give her a walk simply because she's a woman. My version of gender equality goes something like equal pay for equal work. Equal punishment for equal crimes.
DeleteIf as the one article stated that Hunter King made a pass at Muhney and he rebuffed her advances and she decided to make it personal by accusing him of something venal, doesn't that make her something akin to a cad? I think it does. This is the reason in such cases as sexual harassment and rape cases BOTH names should be kept out of the media until facts are proven and the case is fully adjudicated. This way both people are protected and both get the chance to tell their side to a duly charged panel, not fed to the media in hopes they'll gobble it up like pablum. Need I mention the Duke Lacrosse Team? Those three main guys have never gotten their lives back based on the wretched lie of a known habitual liar. And the entire Lacrosse sport was disbanded on the word of a liar. This is worse than Susan Smith.
My gut feeling is this lies somewhere down the middle. Perhaps Muhney and King did engage in some sort of tryst or attempted tryst. Muhney decided for the sake of his marriage and children to draw back. King, however, decided to take it further and either lied or hasn't told the complete truth. All I know is only one side is being believed here and it isn't Muhney's. He deserves the right to not be tarred and feathered just on implication alone. ;
And shame on the powers that be at CBS/Sony for allowing this to become so viral without attempting to at least get it under control. That McDaniel works for CBS daytime and her husband is a lawyer/reporter on TMZ shows there is connectivity regarding the need to spin, spin, spin. The only one who is getting a drubbing here is Muhney. If it does turn out Muhney did something wrong, then fine. He should take his lumps for his misdeeds. If it turns out he was wrongly dismissed, then by all means Mr. Muhney, take them to task for it.
Just to get you know that I moderate all the comments on this blog because this is such a controversial topic. If you disagree with my viewpoints, that's cool; and I'll put the comments up. Any posts that are personally insulting to either Michael Muhney or Hunter King will NOT be put up. They've been through enough.
ReplyDeleteLooks like TMZ is at it again. A new story about Muhney from his Veronica Mars days that has no bearing on anything. The story attacks Muhney for having a big ego as if actors are the most humble people out there and how dare MM think that he’s better looking than Zach Braff. I realize TMZ has never been the pinnacle of journalism and even though none of us like the fact that they reported the groping story, I understand how they might have been compelled to report it since that’s the sort of thing they do, yet reporting about an actor being egotistical in a show that ended 7 years ago and has nothing to do with anything else going on is clearly a sign that TMZ and CBS / SONY are engaged in a smear campaign. The connection between Anjelica McDaniel (Senior Vice President of CBS Daytime programming) and her husband Brian McDaniel (editor and producer for TMZ) should not go ignored by fans. There is clearly a conflict of interest in the way that TMZ is developing these stories on Muhney regardless of whether or not Muhney has done what he’s being accused of. There should be full disclosure on each of these Muhney stories letting readers know about this connection between Mr and Mrs McDaniel. This latest story also takes a blog post and quotes it as a credible news source as if everything in a soap blog should be taken as truth.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, I’m keeping an open mind. I’m not convinced of Muhney’s guilt nor am I convinced of his innocence, but I am starting to see a clear effort to smear him and drag Hunter King’s career along through the mud. Whether Muhney is guilty or innocent, it’s CBS / SONY and TMZ who have revealed themselves as classless.
Oh.....like.....WOWOW!!! An actor is noted for being egotistical? Yikes. Never heard that one before. Seriously this has become like a backyard sandbox. "Mommy, Tommy said this about Sally." Just impose a gag order on everyone until it's all sorted out. I can list chapter and verse of a lot of big screen actors who are known for their hubris, yet no one writes about that. Yeah TMZ, shows how mature you are when you pick on the little guy. Does Harvey Levin have any balls? if so then he should put them in a mill and grind.
DeleteOK...here's what's REALLY bogus about this. Am I the only one who remembers numerous male YR actors speak of several instances of Jeanne Cooper grabbing them in the crotch when they were doing the memorial days to her? Is that not BLATANT sexual harassment? Why is that ok, even humorous? Even if Muhney did what they are alluding to him doing with the young Hunter, any corporate lawyer would tell them all, on both sides to keep a lid on it. Those tapes of the actors describing her doing that and YR doing nothing (not that I am in the least maligning Jeanne, I adored her) will weaken their possible legal action against Muhney and any case Hunter may have to collect from CBS/Sony. It's all very, very strange, other than, clear that there is MUCH infighting on that set and the oldest whiners and biggest ass kissers are getting their way. Here's hoping Muhney lands out WAY on top on a nighttime show on another network or even film where he can show his true gift. He can act the others out of the ballpark.
ReplyDeleteyou know if MM had done this,guess what my daughter would have taken him down ,right where it gets a man and it would forever be a nono, ! this has all turned into a dirty soap which is getting really crazy,We just want MM back as Adam!!!!!!! get to the truth!
ReplyDeleteThe truth is probably everyone is under gag including the network. It is legally precarious on all sides.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this article. Who are any of us to judge without knowing all the facts. I have my own feelings about what I think could have happened but obviously I wasn’t there and they are just feelings. Not facts. I am shocked at some of the comments online in various forums about these actors. The internet is a crazy and scary place sometimes. People don't realize how much their words can affect someone. I hope both MM and HK sue CBS and TMZ. I don't believe it's any coincidence that the head of CBS Daytime is married to a staff member of TMZ. They may not have been the first to report it but why add fuel to the fire. I personally think CBS threw both MM and HK under the bus and what should have been kept private is now public thanks to them. It must be awful to have perfect strangers who know nothing about you say such terrible things. I feel bad for both of them. Over the years I've watched Y&R on and off, but after MM started I haven't missed an episode. It won't be the same without him. I think he is one of the best actors in daytime and anywhere else for that matter. He obviously cares a great deal for his fans, although I've never felt the need to interact. I've seen some of his tweets and his sense of humor is not my cup of tea. But that's ok. I hope both actors can get past this with minimal damage to their personal and professional lives.
ReplyDeletei'll begin by quoting somebody else: "My gut feeling is this lies somewhere down the middle. Perhaps Muhney and King did engage in some sort of tryst or attempted tryst. Muhney decided for the sake of his marriage and children to draw back. King, however, decided to take it further and either lied or hasn't told the complete truth.". I think that actually that was what was the source of the trouble. Nothing unusual here. Things like this happened very often in theater/film. I also think that after the firing there was a kind of arrangement among all the parts involved in this story, and one of the conditions was that the two persons directly involved in the affair/thrist/improper behavior, etc., would keep silent. Both MM and his accuser did that. I also think that the fan's revolt over the firing triggered the reaction and the hack piece on TMZ. I don't think that CBS and Sony deliberately leaked the story to TMZ. No organization wants to deal with the publicity over alleged sexual behavior. It was strictly the action of Angelica McDonalds for reasons that probably we'll never know exactly.
ReplyDeleteHe was already given a fair trial, by his employer Sony. Fans don't put actors on trial. Sony investigated and he was fired. That's all anyone needs to know, if that.
ReplyDelete@Erin: What fair trial by his employer? His ex-employer is not engaging in a smear campaign in which they have also exposed Hunter's name to the media. Instead of wanting to 'protect an innocent victim of this lothario,' they've put her name out there. What kind of 'employer' does that? If the 'employer' was any sort of descent they'd have kept both names silent out of respect for BOTH and not engaged in this media assassination of Muhney. It just seems to me there's only one ogre here and the press and CBS/SONY are making it Muhney and Muhney alone the scapegoat. There's plenty of blame along the line here. It stems from CBS/SONY hiring Jill Farren Phelps who clearly is trying to make Steve Burton the defacto star of the show by making him the son of a legacy character. Instead of allowing the Dylan character to stand on his won merit, which there are a lot of fans who cannot stand the character and love Adam, JFP is getting rid of a speed bump. Not to forget there was no desire to try to work things out with Billy Miller who wanted out clauses to go do other things.
DeleteAwesome article! Thank you for pointing out all the flaws in the TMZ story, which did spread like wildfire to every major news network -even though no official sources or proof was included.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your point that if this was a potential crime, a gag order would've been issued if not officially at least by PR. Although I have noticed lots of Y&R actors doing charity, etc, in social media so perhaps that is another take.
I'm withholding judgment myself until someone provides more proof than vicious rumors disguised as a "source" from, let's face it, a gossip rag.
I enjoyed your article. It's better laid out than mine is. I will link to it from mine: http://tvmegasite.net/day/yr/articles/01-04-14suzanne.shtml You make some good points that I hadn't thought of.
ReplyDeleteI would not be at all surprised if the network or SONY did what you suggested. Way back when Anna Lee's contract was not renewed with ABC, they treated her terribly, and when fans dared to complain, they sent people all over the net to message boards to suggest that she was too old or ill to continue (which was not true). I ran her website and spoke with her on the phone as well as her son, and she was not too ill or old at that point, and in fact, she needed the health insurance they provided because she was in a wheelchair and had a helper on set. They hadn't even bothered to call her to let her know she was being let go and would not return her calls. They just decided not to use her any more and wouldn't even address it or speak with her. Then they went around and tried to make fans think she was too sick. And her son was pretty convinced that these acts by ABC are what helped cause her death, too. She just gave up, had nothing left to live for. These people at the networks are cold.
Great article. MM is a straight forward shoot from the hip kind of guy. He says what he thinks and what he feels and screw everyone? Is that arrogance? At least he doesn't give interviews about how "he is the show" blah blah and holds it to ransom during contract negotiations. Facts are IF and I think it's a HUGE IF because HK is one of a million "starlets" out there, CBS/SONY and JFP had a duty of care to fire MM and call in the police, even if HK did not want it, and only if to protect themselves for the future. The fact that it wasn't done and all the loud mouthed actors of the show decided to delete tweets and not stand by opinions tells me more. I hope to GOD MM has decided to sue the asses off all of them. I'm seriously getting dejavu. Does anyone remember how Eileen Davidson was fired many moons ago and the rumors that went around about that? That she was fired because she was a man who had a sex change and a certain someone demanded the role be recast? I think there are several problems in that cast and MM is at least talented as well if he's a problem
ReplyDeleteGreat article. You have expressed everything that MM's fans have been trying to convey. Thank you for giving your input. We really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting article and for the most part pretty fair. I would like to add that if MM did any of the things he's accused of, why the interviews or the tweets? Someone would have to be pretty dumb to flag the world of your firing and know you're a deviant. MM is not dumb! Also if MM was not the most pleasant to everyone on the set, well we're not voting for "employee of the month," we're appreciating a superb actor! I'm behind you all the way Michael and if you are not returning to Y&R after 1/30 than neither am I, a fan since day 1!
ReplyDeleteI think there is a lot going on (probably legal issues) as to why no one is really saying what happened. We will probably never know the whole truth. However, after all of this, the loss of Michelle and Billy, Y&R will never be the same, so with that I am sticking with Jan 30th, his last day will also be mine and I hope he goes on to better things ahead, hes an awesome actor!
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