# Morgan Freeman accused of sexual harassment **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 24, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734 "2018-05-24T15:24:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/1 "2018-05-24T15:24:13Z")
aka… [Morgan Freeman](https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/24/entertainment/morgan-freeman-accusations/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/2 "2018-05-24T16:01:30Z")
Some of the incidents were just a few years back. > **[Women accuse Morgan Freeman of inappropriate behavior, harassment | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/24/entertainment/morgan-freeman-accusations/index.html)** > > Eight women accuse Morgan Freeman of inappropriate behavior. They say it happened on movie sets, at his company and in interviews. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/3 "2018-05-24T16:10:38Z")
Uggh. I’ve said it before – Hollywood needs a work stoppage. Like 6 months to stop work on everything (give them a few months to prepare and change movie/TV schedules so they can stagger release dates and such) except focusing on allowing any and every victim to come forward and tell their stories, and real permanent change in policies and practices to make it no longer possible to ignore or sweep-under-the-rug harassment and abuse. Something like a permanent independent agency, funded by all the studios, unions, etc., that can be contacted by anyone and will independently investigate every accusation, with the power to issue fines, suspensions, and even expellations, to organizations and individuals, along with reporting to and cooperating with law enforcement. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/4 "2018-05-24T16:23:15Z")
You were scooped: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=855392](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=855392) ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/5 "2018-05-24T16:24:50Z")
Makes me think of the old adage about how you should never meet your heroes, sad stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/6 "2018-05-24T16:34:20Z")
silly me, I searched for a thread with his name in the title ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/7 "2018-05-24T16:45:51Z")
At least your OP, unlike the other one, makes the subject matter clear. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/8 "2018-05-24T17:19:21Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > You were scooped: [Scoops](http://www.thefrisky.com/2010-03-18/what-is-scooping-and-why-dont-we-just-call-it-sexual-assault/)! ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/9 "2018-05-24T17:21:21Z")
I always thought I would have to remove the “I wish Morgan Freeman narrated my life” sticker from my bumper when the guy died, not when I found out that he’s been a disgusting lech for years. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/10 "2018-05-24T17:27:55Z")
Okay, MF is an ass. But the “I wish I could have been there” remark, he was clearly talking about he wished he could have been there when his friend congratulated a fat lady on being pregnant. Why the hell would you put that in there? It only gives the nay sayers something to latch onto. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/11 "2018-05-24T17:33:40Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Okay, MF is an ass. > > But the “I wish I could have been there” remark, he was clearly talking about he wished he could have been there when his friend congratulated a fat lady on being pregnant. Are you reading a different article? Because I don’t see anything like that in the CNN article: > [@](#): > > According to Melas, who was six months pregnant at the time, Freeman, in a room full of people, including his co-stars Arkin and Caine, shook Melas’ hand, not letting go while repeatedly looking her up and down and saying more than once a variation of, “I wish I was there.” She says he also said to her, “You are ripe.” Cameras were on and recording during one of Freeman’s remarks to Melas – “Boy, do I wish I was there” – but not for the rest. As is common practice with such junkets, Melas was the only CNN employee there at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/12 "2018-05-24T17:39:58Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Are you reading a different article? Because I don’t see anything like that in the CNN article: I didn’t read the article. I watched the video clip of the alleged incident. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/13 "2018-05-24T19:25:56Z")
This one hurts. Morgan Freeman always gave the impression of being a gentleman. I guess he was a good actor. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/14 "2018-05-24T19:58:17Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > At least your OP, unlike the other one, makes the subject matter clear. [Ugh, I hate that guy.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li7ZmYcG8U0) ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/15 "2018-05-24T20:04:13Z")
Nothing shocks me anymore. Well, if Mike Rowe gets called out one day I will lose all hope. It seems entirely possible. He sometimes has real chemistry with his subjects and you wonder if there’s maybe a date or two once the episode is shot. I’m dead certain he’s gone dancing with one in particular. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/16 "2018-05-24T20:48:36Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Nothing shocks me anymore. > > Well, if Mike Rowe gets called out one day I will lose all hope. It seems entirely possible. He sometimes has real chemistry with his subjects and you wonder if there’s maybe a date or two once the episode is shot. I’m dead certain he’s gone dancing with one in particular. My ex had a major crush on him. I’m sure she’s not alone. Lol. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/17 "2018-05-24T21:02:10Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Okay, MF is an ass. > > But the “I wish I could have been there” remark, he was clearly talking about he wished he could have been there when his friend congratulated a fat lady on being pregnant. > > Why the hell would you put that in there? It only gives the nay sayers something to latch onto. The “you are ripe” is pretty clearly a comment on how pregnant someone is, though still a little gross it’s not a sexual comment. I agree, when you include stuff like this “naysayers” may wonder how much of the other stuff is bullshit. The skirt touching/lifting kinda leaves little doubt though. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/18 "2018-05-24T21:09:04Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Uggh. I’ve said it before – Hollywood needs a work stoppage. Like 6 months to stop work on everything (give them a few months to prepare and change movie/TV schedules so they can stagger release dates and such) except focusing on allowing any and every victim to come forward and tell their stories, and real permanent change in policies and practices to make it no longer possible to ignore or sweep-under-the-rug harassment and abuse. Something like a permanent independent agency, funded by all the studios, unions, etc., that can be contacted by anyone and will independently investigate every accusation, with the power to issue fines, suspensions, and even expellations, to organizations and individuals, along with reporting to and cooperating with law enforcement. I’m not clear what your intended result from this is, but it isn’t as if there is any single sweeping change that is going to make everyone who has been subjected to abuse whole or eliminate abusive behavior once and for all. The entertainment industry, with its loose, mostly contract-based employment and powerful figures who can make or break careers, is particularly prone to this kind of chronic abuse and should make a better effort to police itself, it is hardly unique and the notion of setting up some kind of “permanent independent agency” with plenary authority to “issue fines, suspensions, and even expellations” is just inviting another opportunity for more abuse. The problem of sexual harrassment and the use of influence to suppress abusive behavior is a cultural one that goes far beyond entertainment industry. As for Freeman and others, we’re going to have to come to terms with the fact that this behavior has been previously accepted and tacitly encouraged for decades, and many prominent figures in entertainment (and govenment, business, education, sports, et cetera) have regularly committed what would now be regarded as henious acts of harrassment and humiliation even if they don’t rise to the level of sexual assault. That someone is a popular entertainer in public but demonstrated less than savory behavior out of public view has been accepted in the past requires a deeper change than just purging the ranks or pretending that it is only limited to a handful of serial predators like Cosby and Weinstein. And this is hardly the last or even most egregious offender that will come to light. (I’m still waiting for Sean Penn to get his due.) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/19 "2018-05-24T21:12:58Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > I’m not clear what your intended result from this is, but it isn’t as if there is any single sweeping change that is going to make everyone who has been subjected to abuse whole or eliminate abusive behavior once and for all. The entertainment industry, with its loose, mostly contract-based employment and powerful figures who can make or break careers, is particularly prone to this kind of chronic abuse and should make a better effort to police itself, it is hardly unique and the notion of setting up some kind of “permanent independent agency” with plenary authority to “issue fines, suspensions, and even expellations” is just inviting another opportunity for more abuse. The problem of sexual harrassment and the use of influence to suppress abusive behavior is a cultural one that goes far beyond entertainment industry. > > As for Freeman and others, we’re going to have to come to terms with the fact that this behavior has been previously accepted and tacitly encouraged for decades, and many prominent figures in entertainment (and govenment, business, education, sports, et cetera) have regularly committed what would now be regarded as henious acts of harrassment and humiliation even if they don’t rise to the level of sexual assault. That someone is a popular entertainer in public but demonstrated less than savory behavior out of public view has been accepted in the past requires a deeper change than just purging the ranks or pretending that it is only limited to a handful of serial predators like Cosby and Weinstein. And this is hardly the last or even most egregious offender that will come to light. (I’m still waiting for Sean Penn to get his due.) > > Stranger It may not be a perfect solution, but the idea that we’re just going to gradually get better doesn’t fly with me. There hasn’t been a social advance that came about without some major pain and major change in policy and practice. Right now the little guys and gals have virtually no power if they are harassed or abused. Something needs to change, in a major way, such that they feel 100% empowered to come forward, without fear of professional consequence, as long as they’re being truthful. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734/20 "2018-05-24T23:10:41Z")
[Moderating] Two threads, one with a lot of discussion but a vague title and a link-only OP, the other with only a little discussion but a clear title and content in the OP. What’s a mod to do? Hm, will this work? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-accused-of-sexual-harassment/814734.md?page=2)