Brad Kern, a CBS producer who was the subject of three investigations into allegations of abuse and harassment, has been fired. His contract was terminated yesterday. hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ncis…
The first story I did on Brad Kern, which revealed (last December) that he had been the subject of 2 different CBS HR investigations variety.com/2017/tv/news/b…
The second story I did on Brad Kern, which revealed that, despite the two HR investigations and media coverage of "toxicity" in the workplace, bullying of a nursing mom & more, CBS gave him a new 2 year deal in spring of 2018 hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/brad…
The third story I did on Brad Kern, which linked him to the misogynist culture promoted by now-deposed CBS CEO Leslie Moonves, and the alleged shoddy treatment of those who participated in the 3rd inquiry into Kern vulture.com/2018/08/les-mo…
I've talked to 50+ sources about Kern, CBS & that situation. Let me be clear: It SHOULD NOT take multiple major stories in the press to remove a toxic exec, showrunner or anyone else with power in TV. That's not the system working: That's a sign the system has failed its workers.
Unions cld do more. They shd be willing to censure or eject if 1 member of a union abusing & making other members of that union (or another guild) feel unsafe, harassed, targeted by vindictive action. Studios &networks won't systematically fix this. Guilds may have a better shot.
That said: Networks, studios have to think abt DOZENS of good workers in many realms they drive away w every toxic person they protect. I talked to women who wouldnt pitch to or work for CBS while Kern was there. Is it good business strategy to alienate creative WOC, WW? [NO]
Brad Kern allegedly blackballed people unjustly. I heard this many times. He didn't do that alone; he had help. If I had a dime for every person in TV (at various places) who was subjected to unjustly negative info being spread about them & their work -- ugh it's so wrong.
Too much power is given to people like showrunners, esp in realms of hiring, firing & blackballing. Entire Kern problem goes away 2 years ago if CBS does routine exit interviews, doesn't penalize honesty & gets rid of the person abusing their power asap, once the patterns emerge.
and finally
Want to add a link to @McTelevision's story on Kern from May, when he was demoted from showrunner but still going in to work on NCIS NOLA every day salon.com/2018/05/16/exc…
