Britney is losing some court battles, but she might just be winning the war

by Therese Odell, posted in Uncategorized

This video of a trio of cranes shepherding an alligator back to his own pond is just delightful:

“Fuck that alligator” indeed.

#MeToo

This whole Britney Spears situation is crazy and things are moving quickly: She might not be winning the battles for control over her life in the courts, but she might be winning the war in the court of public opinion. 

As of last week, Spears testified in open court that she found her conservatorship abusive, making shocking accusations about how limited she was in making decisions about her work or even her own body. However, for technical legal reasons, the court ruled that Jamie Spears, Britney’s father, will not be removed form his position as co-conservator of her estate as she had asked.

While that is a disappointing setback for the entire #FreeBritney movement, it seems her speaking out publicly has had a ripple effect. First, Jamie Spears came out to accuse the other co-conservator of being the ACTUAL monster, insisting that he has nothing to do with the medical decisions that were at the heart of her the most infuriating claims. Then co-conservator Bessemer Trust announced they no longer want to handle Britney’s case, and petitioned the court to be removed, claiming they until her testimony came out, they thought Britney was cool with the arrangement. Their petition was granted.

Then, Ronan Farrow and Jia Tolentino wrote an expose about the conservatorship for The New Yorker, and listen, if you’re an abusive man, the last person you want writing about you is Ronan Farrow.

And finally, Britney Spears’ longtime manager, Larry Rudolph, handed in his resignation on Sunday to co-conservator Jodi Montgomery, claiming that Britney has announced her intentions to retire and his services are no longer required.

There is another hearing on July 14, but as of today, Britney has not filed the paperwork to dissolve the conservatorship, which is within her rights to do so — and part of the court’s justification as to why Jamie Spears is being kept on. Stay tuned.

And then there’s the other infuriating news from last week: Bill Cosby’s release from prison because a lawyer was VERY BAD at his job. I didn’t cover the response to the news because it broke just as I was about to publish, but it is exactly what you thought it would be:

The survivors, Time’s Up, The Hollywood Commission, #MeToo, The National Organization for Women, and countless others were outraged by the injustice of it all.

Cosby also had his supporters, including Geraldo Rivera, who, not simply content with Cosby victim blaming, also defended Harvey Weinstein in a Fox News segment, just to make sure you know exactly how much of a pig he is. 

And, of course, there was Phylicia Rashad, Cosby’s TV wife, who initially tweeted “FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!”

People were not pleased.

Three hours after the first tweet (and I’m sure a few furious phone calls from her management), Rashad tried to walk it back.

Howard University, where Rashad was recently named Dean of the College of Fine Arts, had to put out a statement disavowing her initial tweet:

And Rashad released a letter on Friday offering her “most sincere apology” to Howard students and parents for the first tweet. It is worth noting, however, that Rashad has yet to say that she believes or even supports Cosby’s survivors.

As for Bill Cosby, he’s threatening to make some sort of comeback, but let’s hope this article about how he’s too toxic to stage a redemption tour is accurate and no one in Hollywood is willing to work with him.

Padma Lakshmi is calling for Top Chef winner Gabe Erales to be investigated after allegations of misconduct surfaced after his win. Apparently, this asshole cut the hours of an employee he was having an affair with, and engaged in “inappropriate communication” with her after the relationship ended. As a result, he was fired as the executive chef at Comedor, a high-end Austin Mexican restaurant.

James Franco has agreed to pay out $2.2 million to settle the sexual harassment lawsuit against him.

Allison Mack has been sentenced to 3 years in prison for her role as a deputy and recruiter in the NXIVM cult.

The NFL has fined The Washington Football Team (still the stupidest and laziest name since The Texans) $10 million for sexual misconduct over the past decade.

Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Trevor Bauer has been accused of raping and beating a woman so viciously, he fractured her skull. He’s been put on a week’s leave, and claims that it was all consensual. I will just point out that no one consents to having their skull fractured.

Former Fox News personality Ed Henry is suing everyone in sight for defamation for reporting on the fact that he was fired for sexual misconduct. OK, dude.

Jeremy Piven and Dan Schneider are both trying to make comebacks, so tell me again how #MeToo has “gone too far.”

Julianne Moore is right: the term “aging gracefully” is some sexist bullshit.

In happier news: congratulations to Kataluna Enriquez for becoming the first openly transgender woman to compete in the Miss USA pageant, and to Tyler Posey for coming out.

Disney has altered some language in its fireworks announcement, changing “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” to “Dreamers of all ages” to be more inclusive and people who have nothing better to do than get incensed about unimportant cultural things ARE SO ANGRY.

All Other TV News

Here’s some House of the Dragon news, mostly about sets and some details on filming for you nerds.

President Carter sticks with PBS’ Newshour, and does not have time for your cable news network nonsense.

The networks are out here talking about their “historic” and “strong” Upfronts (the period when they actually sell ad time for their primetime series), but what they aren’t saying is that it is “historic” because they are losing ad revenue at an entirely new rate.

Fox News is creating its own weather channel so they can really commit to denying climate change, I suppose.

 

Hey, good luck to Jessica Springsteen, daughter of Bruce, in the upcoming Olympics.

Renewals

  • She has been renewed on Netflix for a second season.

In Development

  • A remake of the French comedy The Valet has been ordered at Hulu.
  • Foe, a sci-fi thriller starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal and LaKeith Stanfield, is likely to land at Amazon.

Casting News

Mark Your Calendars

  • Top Secret UFO Projects: Declassified will premiere on Netflix on August 3.
  • Wild ‘N Out will return on VH1 on August 10.
  • Star Wars: Visions will debut on Disney+ on September 22.
  • Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy – Kingdom premieres on Netflix on July 29.

R.I.P.

Richard Donner, Legendary director who gave us Superman, The Goonies, The Omen and Lethal Weapon among many others. He started in television, directing TV shows like The Twilight Zone, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Gilligan’s Island, Perry Mason.

Raffaella Carrà, Italian singer, dancer, and actor

WATCH THIS

I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson: Season two of the genius-ness. Premiere. Netflix

Paranormal Caught on Camera: This is not a great show. Last week they showed footage of what was clearly a mylar balloon floating down a street and they suggested it could be an alien. But I’m including it this week because apparently they’re going to cover a clown statue that “terrorizes guests at the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Utah.” A few things about that: Tonopah is in Nevada, not Utah, and I know that because I’ve met said clown statue. 8 p.m., Travel Channel

Don’t look too closely at its hands.

Babe: Because it is just simply the best. 6 p.m., HBO Family

Late Night:

  • Jimmy Kimmel Live: Ludacris, Kim Fields, Merry Clayton, guest host Wanda Sykes

TUES. 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30
ABC The Goldbergs

(repeat)		 Home Economics

(repeat)		 The Conners

(repeat)		 black-ish

(repeat)		 To Tell The Truth
(repeat)
CBS NCIS
(repeat)		 FBI
(repeat)		 FBI: Most Wanted
(repeat)
CW The Flash
(new)		 Superman & Lois
(repeat)		 Local
FOX Lego Masters
(new)		 Mental Samurai
(new)		 News/Local
NBC America’s Got Talent
(new)		 Capital One College Bowl
(new)

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