‘Fuller House’ Lawsuit Reveals Accusations Of ‘Toxic And Inappropriate Work Environment̵
Remember when you thought of Full House as the go-to example of wholesome family entertainment?
Now the first thing that pops to mind is scandal!
Lori Loughlin was arrested in maybe the biggest college corruption sting operations in America’s history — and is currently looking down the barrel of a trial for alleged fraud and money laundering.
But while Aunt Becky’s alleged wrongdoing could get her decades more in prison time, creator Jeff Franklin‘s accusations are even more, well… just icky.
The producer, who created the original Full House back in 1987, was fired from the Netflix revival show back in February 2018 after the bosses at Warner Bros Television received an anonymous letter accusing him of making inappropriate comments about his sex life.
He also reportedly brought women he was dating to set, even giving them bit parts on the show. Man, it sounds like he was more of an ’80s cliche than Uncle Jesse!
According to Variety, the letter warned the company Franklin “was a walking lawsuit waiting to happen.”
That turned out to be a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Only it was the showrunner himself who filed a lawsuit — over his firing.
Franklin claimed it was his co-executive producer Bryan Behar who was spreading the rumors about him — in order to get the showrunner job for himself.
The lawsuit stated:
“Motivated by a secret hatred of Franklin and hoping to take his place someday as showrunner, Behar concocted a plan to compile unflattering and distasteful information about Franklin that was either fabricated or twisted versions of events and presented it first to the media and then to Warner Brothers in an effort to get Franklin thrown off Fuller House.”
But Franklin may have stepped on a rake with this lawsuit…
As a result of public legal filings, more info is coming out than ever would have before about Franklin’s firing — including all the details about the complaints against him.
According to The Wrap, Warner Bros. filed a response to Franklin’s suit this month, referencing not one but MULTIPLE investigations.
In 2016 there were complaints about pregnancy-related requests for time off and a lack of “equal treatment of male and female writers.” After the investigation, Franklin got a slap on the wrist — “verbal counseling as to the necessity of appropriate, business-like behavior and equal treatment.”
But then in 2017 there was another complaint, this time by a female writer who said Franklin “had created a toxic and inappropriate work environment in the writer’s room.”
Warner Bros. soon found out there was yet another female writer “making similar claims about Franklin’s conduct.”
So another investigation was launched.
In all seven women were interviewed, listed only as Jane Doe 1-7 to protect them from retribution.
- Jane Doe 3 said before a writers’ retreat at his mansion, Franklin reminded the female writers multiple times to bring their bikinis. This was corroborated by Jane Doe 4.
- Jane Doe 3 also claimed Franklin said female directors were “all the same” and told the writers he doesn’t date Jewish women, adding, “Sorry to all the Jewish women in the room.”
- Jane Doe 5 heard Franklin say about a female crew member, “She is probably going to be pregnant next season. I wish I could make all the women on my staff get hysterectomies.”
- Jane Doe 6 said Franklin described an underage girl as “one nose job away from a good f**k.”
- Jane Doe 6 also noted the writers had to listen to Franklin describe orgies he had on the weekends.
- Jane Doe 7 called the environment “hostile” and said Franklin “would be angry towards women and not interested in their opinions.”
- Jane Doe 7 also said Franklin complained about having to hire women and people of color.
Well.
Something tells us Jeff Franklin would have preferred that all stay internal. Eesh.
Innerestingly, Warner Bros.’ representative said the eighth staff member interviewed was indeed Behar — but that he was “reluctant to participate in the investigation.”
Huh. If he was trying to get Franklin fired, you’d think he’d be ready to unload. Unless he was trying to look innocent?
What do YOU think about all these Fuller House accusations?
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