Topic: Me Too

A discussion on "cancellation" compared Al Franken's 2017 resignation to modern commentary by Matt Walsh. The hosts argued that Franken "knuckled under" to pressure from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand during the Me Too movement, whereas Walsh argues that no one is truly canceled unless they consent to the role.

Actor Jeffrey Tambor is confirmed to be alive despite public perception that he had passed away, a phenomenon attributed to the "Mandela Effect" or his total deplatforming from Hollywood. Tambor was removed from the public eye following Me Too allegations and his role in the show Transparent. The confusion is linked to the actual death of his former co-star Gary Shandling.

Millennials are facing a housing crisis as rents in major cities increase by up to 30%, forcing many to relocate. In a separate discussion on the Depp-Heard trial, the ACLU's role in the "Me Too" movement is scrutinized, specifically their involvement in drafting Amber Heard's op-ed. The segment questions the organization's shift from civil liberties to partisan public relations.

The culture of professional television production is described as brusque and toxic, referencing recent allegations against The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The sitcom 30 Rock, specifically Alec Baldwin's portrayal of a network executive, is cited as a highly accurate representation of the industry's "nut job" leadership and obsession with ratings.

A recent New York Times article by Ben Smith is discussed, which questions the journalistic rigor of Ronan Farrow's reporting. Matt Lauer published a Medium post deconstructing Farrow's allegations against him, claiming the reported encounters were consensual. The hosts view this as a "douchebag fight" within the media elite.

The question of why Tara Reade did not come forward in 2008 when Biden was picked for Vice President is addressed. The hosts suggest that the pre-"Me Too" era of 1993 was a very different environment for reporting harassment by powerful senators. Furthermore, the intense loyalty within the Democratic Party often discourages staffers from speaking out against "next man up" candidates.

The hosts play a detailed account from Tara Reade, a former Senate staffer who alleges Joe Biden sexually assaulted her in 1993. They discuss the specific details of her claim and criticize the mainstream media for its relative silence on the allegation compared to past accusations against Republican figures.

Harvey Weinstein is sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual acts in New York. The discussion explores the lack of remorse shown by Weinstein and calls for the prosecution of "enablers" and "accomplices" in Hollywood who were aware of his behavior but failed to act.

The 45th Cesar Awards in France faced a walkout by actress Adele Haenel after Roman Polanski won Best Director. Polanski, a convicted rapist who fled the U.S. in 1977, remains a polarizing figure in the film industry. The entire board of the French Academy resigned in protest, signaling a major shift in the country's cultural response to the Me Too movement.

The Harvey Weinstein trial begins in New York, with defense attorneys planning to use the accusers' own emails to demonstrate consensual relationships. The hosts discuss the resurgence of "Court TV" and its detailed coverage of the case. A specific detail from the trial involves an injectable erection drug, which the hosts discuss as a factor in the allegations of Weinstein's predatory behavior.

A clip from comedian Eliza Schlesinger is played, where she jokes that sexual harassment is only considered "the worst" when the man is ugly, whereas if he is attractive, it is viewed as "flirting." The hosts use this to reflect on the early days of the Me Too movement and the subjective nature of harassment claims in popular culture.

Prosecutors in Massachusetts dropped indecent assault and battery charges against actor Kevin Spacey after the complaining witness invoked the Fifth Amendment. The accuser's mother admitted to deleting text messages from a phone that subsequently went missing. Spacey is described as a potential victim of the "Me Too" movement's excesses, though investigations continue in other jurisdictions.

The eventual winner, Cheslie Kryst, answers questions regarding the MeToo and Time's Up movements, stating they have not gone too far and are essential for workplace safety. In the final round, she describes her generation as "innovative" and cites the female-majority legislature in Nevada as a sign of progress. The hosts note her skill as an attorney in delivering polished, media-ready responses.

Joe Biden appears on The View and addresses allegations regarding his physical interactions with women. He offers what are described as "non-apologies," stating he is sorry if people "took it a different way" rather than apologizing for the actions themselves. The hosts analyze his catchphrase "look, here's the deal" and his refusal to provide the direct apology requested by figures like Nancy Pelosi.

Joe Biden releases a video on Twitter addressing allegations of inappropriate touching, claiming he was attempting to make "human connections." He acknowledges that social norms regarding personal space have shifted and promises to be more mindful in the future. The hosts discuss the "unequal treatment" Biden receives compared to other figures targeted by the Me Too movement and analyze his "Uncle Joe" persona.

Julie Brown of the Miami Herald discusses her investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, which was overseen by then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta. The segment explores the allegations of a high-level sex trafficking ring involving royalty and politicians, with the hosts suggesting the renewed interest is aimed at damaging Donald Trump.

Gillette released a controversial commercial addressing "toxic masculinity" and the Me Too movement, which drew significant backlash from male consumers. While some analysts believe the attention benefits the brand, others argue it creates ill will and encourages customers to switch to cheaper alternatives. The ad's metadata revealed a heavy focus on search terms like "crisis of masculinity."

Senator Bernie Sanders issues an apology for instances of sexual harassment and mistreatment that occurred during his 2016 presidential campaign. His former campaign manager, Jeff Weaver, announced he would not return to that role for a 2020 run but will remain a senior advisor. The hosts discuss the timing of these revelations as Sanders considers another bid.

Megyn Kelly's departure from NBC is attributed to a combination of her controversial comments on blackface and her previous criticism of NBC executives regarding the "Me Too" movement. Al Roker's public condemnation of Kelly is viewed as the "hitman" move that finalized her exit. The hosts suggest Kelly was set up by writers who were aware of a similar "blackface" plotline in the NBC show *Superstore*, using the incident to terminate her expensive contract.

Chuck Todd and others suggest that attorney Michael Avenatti's involvement "cheapened" the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh by introducing uncorroborated claims of gang rape. This is seen as a turning point that may have damaged the broader Me Too movement. Observations are made about women in Texas coming to the defense of men against unproven accusations.