The New York Times reports:
Ninety years ago, Louis B. Mayer created an elite club that would become the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Membership, granted for life, quickly turned into the ultimate indicator of status — moviedom’s equivalent of the mob’s “made man.”
Offscreen malfeasance mattered not. Perhaps contributing to the film industry’s willingness to tolerate sexual harassment, bullying, drug abuse and worse, the academy has long insisted that professional achievement is what counts. Bill Cosby is still a member. So is Roman Polanski. Mel Gibson was never kicked out, even after his 2006 anti-Semitic tirade was followed by a 2011 no-contest plea to battering a former girlfriend.
But the academy stands at a precipice. Harvey Weinstein could change everything.
There's more:
Seven months ago, Mr. Weinstein was in his element when he hosted the Weinstein Company’s annual pre-Oscars party at the Montage Beverly Hills hotel. The festivities included a performance of songs from “In the Heights” introduced by Mr. Miranda. When two latecomers – Jay-Z and Beyoncé – entered the ballroom, Mr. Weinstein asked that the songs be performed again.
The mogul got his wish. And when the second performance was complete, the celebrity couple gave a standing ovation.
The great moments of Hollywood.
