CBS, MTV and VH1 hire private investigators to scan their stars’ social media for racist, homophobic content
In the present racially charged environment of the country, following the deaths of African-American men like George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks, due to police brutality, many TV networks are hiring a California private investigator to scour through social media accounts of celebrities working for them to ensure that they have not posted any racist or politically incorrect posts in the past.
According to Page Six, big brands in the television industry such as CBS, MTV, and VH1 have asked Studio City-based Edward Myers & Associates, to scan their production and on-air stars’ social media posts for any unsavory content before they resume shooting for their shows post the hiatus brought about by the coronavirus lockdown. The move is a preventive measure as the channels do not want the concerning posts - if any - to be dug up by the public at a later date and consequently face embarrassment.
The measure also comes after a string of celebrities were fired by various networks in the recent weeks following a slew of racists remarks made by them either on social media or in person. The Hollywood Reporter revealed on June 8 that 'The Flash' star Hartley Sawyer was fired by CW after several allegedly racist, misogynistic, and homophobic tweets were unearthed. He posted the remarks on his since-deleted social media account.
"In regards to Mr. Sawyer's posts on social media, we do not tolerate derogatory remarks that target any race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation,” the CW, producers Warner Bros. TV and Berlanti Productions and executive producer Eric Wallace wrote in a statement provided to THR. “Such remarks are antithetical to our values and policies, which strive and evolve to promote a safe, inclusive, and productive environment for our workforce."
The very next day, Bravo severed links with four of its 'Vanderpump Rules' star cast, Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens, and Brett Caprioni. In a statement, they announced that the four celebrities will not be returning reality series, which recently aired its final episode after it was revealed that earlier this month that Schroeder and Doute had reported a former African-American colleague, Faith Stowers, for a crime she was not involved in and Boyens and Caprioni had used racial slurs in their tweets. All four of them have since apologized.
The TV network also fired Peter Hunziker, star of 'Below Deck Mediterranean' this week for an allegedly racist post made by him. "Peter Hunziker of Below Deck Mediterranean has been terminated for his racist post. Bravo and 51 Minds are editing the show to minimize his appearance for subsequent episodes," they said in a statement.
MTV, on the other hand, announced on June 9 that they had pulled Taylor Selfridge's special with boyfriend Cory Wharton, 'Teen Mom OG At Home: Cory & Taylor’s Baby Special,' and ended its working relationship with her after she faced backlash for past racially insensitive tweets.
"MTV pulled Teen Mom OG At Home: Cory & Taylor’s Baby Special from its Tuesday schedule and is ending our relationship with Taylor Selfridge in light of her past racist statements on social media," an MTV rep told the outlet. "MTV strongly condemns systemic racism and stands with those raising their voices against injustice." the network said in a statement o People Magazine.
On her Instagram, Selfridge passed off her departure from the network as being her choice and said she would like "move on and continue to be the best version of myself."
"As you guys know already our special didn't air tonight. I made the decision last week to not film the next season of Teen Mom OG with Cory for the benefit of myself and my daughter," she wrote. "I don't believe the reality tv lifestyle benefits me any further at this point in my life. With current events being what they are and reality tv being selective in who they apply rules to or what is considered acceptable behavior, I do not have any further respect."