‘Bull’ Season 4: Steven Spielberg Quits as EP After Michael Weatherly Scandal
UPDATE (5/9/2019):
CBS has officially renewed Bull for a Season 4, but the fallout over Michael Weatherly‘s scandal continues.
Soon after the announcement, Deadline revealed that Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television has dropped out of producing the hit legal drama. A spokesperson for the company confirmed they will no longer be attached to the show, but wouldn’t provide a reason. Spielberg and Amblin TV co-heads Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey all served as executive producers on Bull‘s first three seasons.
Glenn Gordon Caron, who served as showrunner for Season 3, is said to be in talks to return for a fourth season.
Original Story (4/30/2019):
In December, news broke that CBS paid former Bull actress Eliza Dushku $9.5 million in a settlement agreement after she made sexual harassment complaints against her costar and the show’s lead, Michael Weatherly.
Dushku claimed Weatherly made demeaning comments about her appearance on set and joked about having a threesome with her. According to an internal CBS investigation, Dushku felt “disgusted and violated.”
After she spoke up, Dushku alleges she was written off the CBS legal drama in what she believed to be a retaliation effort.
Weatherly issued an apology to The New York Times when the network’s actions were exposed. “During the course of taping our show, I made some jokes mocking some lines in the script,” he wrote. “When Eliza told me that she wasn’t comfortable with my language and attempt at humor, I was mortified to have offended her and immediately apologized. After reflecting on this further, I better understand that what I said was both not funny and not appropriate and I am sorry and regret the pain this caused Eliza.”
As did CBS: “The allegations in Ms. Dushku’s claims are an example that, while we remain committed to a culture defined by a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace, our work is far from done.”
Eliza Dushku as J.P. Nunnelly and Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull
Then, Dushku slammed Weatherly and Bull showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron, who also reportedly was involved in writing her off the show. “The narrative propagated by CBS, actor Michael Weatherly and writer-producer Glenn Gordon Caron is deceptive and in no way fits with how they treated me on the set of the television show Bull and retaliated against me for simply asking to do my job without relentless sexual harassment,” she wrote. “This is not a ‘he-said/she-said’ case. Weatherly’s behavior was captured on CBS’s own videotape recordings.”
“I took a job and, because I did not want to be harassed, I was fired,” she concluded.
After Dushku spoke out, neither the actor nor showrunner nor network responded again or released any new information. So, the question remains: Will Weatherly keep his lucrative lead actor job on Bull after this scandal?
The women’s activist group, Ultraviolet, called for his firing at the time. “CBS must immediately move to fire Michael Weatherly and send a clear example that sexual harassment and abuse will not be tolerated by anyone at the network – including both CEO’s and star actors’ alike,” said Shaunna Thomas, the co-founder and executive director of Ultraviolet.
There are currently only two episodes left of Bull Season 3, and CBS has yet to renew the series. While it drew in 7.3 million total viewers for its fall finale in December, that number has been slipping, with 6.42 million tuning in for the April 29 episode.
While that may be cause to wonder about the series’ future, keep in mind that Bull isn’t the only CBS drama that hasn’t been renewed yet. The network has yet to announce if Madam Secretary, MacGyver, Hawaii Five-0, SEAL Team, and S.W.A.T. will be back for the 2019-2020 season.
For what it’s worth, Weatherly’s NCIS former co-stars Pauley Perrette and Sasha Alexander took to social media to defend their friend.
“This man … I love, respect, trust, and I KNOW. TWO decades of friendship and respect,” Perrette tweeted. “The best. I love you @M_Weatherly Always and forever.”
Alexander tweeted, “I have been in trenches w/ my friend ?@M_Weatherly?. Always laughs, true friend & as big as they come.”
We’ll see what the future has in store for Weatherly’s career, and specifically for his involvement on Bull.
Bull, Mondays, 10/9c, CBS
Conversation25 Comments
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The whole truth remains to be seen or told. From other sources I've read, she was ad-libbing and using foul-to-filthy language herself during the rehearsals which lead Weatherly to believe it was ok to be equally vulgar during the same rehearsal. When it turned out that she could dish it out but not take it, Weatherly apologized - and rightfully so. Eliza didn't take the high road, however. She decided not to accept the apology, feigned harassment and offense and #metoo and then went crying to the Network.
Doesn't it seem strange that for all his years in the business, (and let's face it, he's had much more steady work than Dushku) no other female actor has come forward to tell a similar story? In fact, so far, it's been quite the opposite. That should speak as loudly as any claim made by a chronically unemployed actress.
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Actually, at least one former co star has come to his defense.
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I'm still wondering why Cote de Pablo has not spoken up for him, as she was a good friend, colleague, and potential co-producer. I've not heard anything from her.
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Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly are working together, (behind the camera as executive producers), on a television program; MIA, a detective show for CBS.
The fact that they plan to continue working as a team says plenty on how she feels about them.
Pauley Perrette and Sasha Alexander have also come to his defense.
The ratings of Bull will be the main reason if it's renewed or cancelled. The show does come in third behind NBC and ABC, however, it's not that far behind the other two programs in the ratings.
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Except it didn't quite happen the way you're describing it. Go read the Boston Globe op-ed about how exactly things went down. Her issue wasn't just the fact that Weatherly made a few "vulgar jokes". She herself has stated that that wasn't the problem. It was a lot more than that. And the video footage that CBS tried to use to show her in a bad light because she swore also recorded the harassment she was receiving, so it's not like there's no proof backing up what she dealt with. I keep hearing people complaining that so many of the women who make these accusations never have concrete proof. In this case, there is proof, and yet that apparently still isn't enough for people.
Also, Dushku was actually assaulted on the set of another project she worked on when she was younger. So I think that gives her plenty of fair reason to be a little more sensitive to a guy behaving in a creepy manner. This isn't her just "feigning" and trying to use #MeToo for the hell of it.
Doesn't it seem strange that for all his years in the business, (and let's face it, he's had much more steady work than Dushku) no other female actor has come forward to tell a similar story? In fact, so far, it's been quite the opposite.
Go read up on the stuff that happened during Weatherly's time on the show "Dark Angel" and the obnoxious stunts he pulled there and then get back to me on that. There is some precedent for him behaving badly on set. Just because he might've behaved himself in one setting, that doesn't mean that he' can't misbehave elsewhere. And just because there aren't a bunch of women coming forward with complaints about him, that doesn't mean this particular woman's complaints are invalid.
Also, just because people apologize, that doesn't mean they're sincere. Weatherly's more than old enough to know better, he shouldn't have to be reminded to behave like a mature adult on set.
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New Season starts in March. Money Talks and Eliza walks.
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You haven’t followed his career. He’s never had any other comments from women he’s worked with so obviously not a repeat offender. He made a mistake, he apologized — move on.
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Yeah, go back 20 YEARS to see what hes like now.
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I am 54 years old and Michael is 50. During the 80's and 90's men and women flirted, told dirty jokes, and sometimes we were vulgar. During that time, that is what men and women did and no one was insulted or offended. Eliza is a millennial who doesn't know how to interact with people because she is a millennial who had her nose in a phone or computer. Michael apologized when he found out she was offended ( Awe poor baby ) but how does anyone expect for these two to work together after she tattled on Michael? Michael is the star and needs someone he doesn't have to worry about hurting their whittle feelings!! So sick of these sensitive babies so easily offended! Wow, this new generation is scary as hell. Maybe pacifiers should be part of the requirements for a job.interview!
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Something tells me you would have to pay a man to make similar comments to you.
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Typical!! Throwing insults because someone disagrees with you. You are just a bully behind a computer screen, but don't worry honey, I'm a grown up and can handle it, unlike most of your generation. We debate without slinging insults. I do find it amusing that you post a photo of yourself. Maybe you should search inside yourself for a deeper meaning in life because all of your talking points are about someone's appearance. Now, I'm sure more insults will come about my appearance, but sweety I was on the homecoming court in college, so you struck out with that insult! Have a lovely weekend with your computer and mirror.
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i agree women or men should not be harassed HOWEVER a $9 millions dollar payout that's not really making a stand against harassment is it
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I liked him in NCIS, and found Bull was a better fit for his talents. He was a little larger than life as the NCIS universe was outlined. However, I was concerned about the allusion to personal issues with female actor(s) and something about grieving back then and his need to recover from tragedy. Men can be thick, but they won't learn if we don't give them teaching monents.
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I am continually astonished by the wealth of women today that cannot defend or protect themselves ... or are just greedy for money or fame. In my day, we either ignored and avoided improper men, or protected ourselves. Of course I have read the accusations of some women from my day, but they also failed to simply protect themselves. Yes, women can be raped by a vicious attacker - and these men should be prosecuted, but the majority of the accusations that I see in the media today are from women who whimper because they failed to stand up for themselves, or put themselves in a position to court this behavior and expected the man to behave himself. There are men who are dysfunctional in common male female contact and a woman should learn early how to handle this type of situation - of course unless she wants the notoriety or wad of money from whining.
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Wow people. Just because something is listed in a newspaper doesn’t mean it’s 100% truth. Obviously there’s a lot more to this story than any of us will know. I do however, have respect that Weatherby apologized and took ownership. He may have acted inappropriately but did try to fix it. Doesn’t say he ever touched her, and so that’s when it’s an unforgivable offense to me.
So let’s leave the guesswork out of this and allow those involved to deal with the situation.
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Wow, almost 10 mil for claiming feeling uncomfortable about being included in a joke. Did she say," stop talking ... it is making me uncomfortable." No, she did not. She was feeling like she might be fired, and wanted what SHE felt was was owed to her. This wrong behavior to promot, and is getting out of hand. She is rotten tomatoes, and should be black balled.
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Former actress?
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I assume you’re referring to where it says “former Bull actress.” The use of “former” is correct. She was formerly on Bull as an actress. And she’s still an actress, just not on Bull.
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When I first saw the caption yesterday, I didn't see the shows title.
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MICHAEL WEATHERLY SHOULD BE FIRED. This piece of horny filth should be shown the unemployment line. Frankly, I've always thought Eliza Dushku was a wonderful actress with a great career ahead of her. Unfortunately, a boorish pig on the set, in this case Michael Weatherly, couldn't show her the professionalism and support anyone else would have given her. PLEASE, FIRE MICHAEL WEATHERLY.
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oh stop. he made some jokes. she didnt like it, and he stopped.
stop being butthurt
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I agree. Dump him. I’m sick of people being apologists for horrid behavior.
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So everything is okay, huh? Forgive and forget. In the meantime, Eliza Dushku doesn't get the international exposure from being in a popular TV series. She doesn't get to work with a large pool of actors, producers, and directors who could influence her career. She doesn't get to hone her acting sills with steady, daily work in her field. NO, it's pigs like you who are so intimidated by a beautiful woman, that all you can do is make crude jokes and offensive comments. Anyone else would have been fired. MICHAEL WEATHERLY IS A PIG.
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I am a fan of Bull and was pleased when this character was dropped but didn't know until today the reason. She hot a great deal. I'm glad she is gone and Bull remains a favorite show. It is one of the better shows.
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Whatever. Many and I mean MANY disagree with you.
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