LOS ANGELES: Matthew Weiner, the creator and writer of the hit series ‘Mad Men’, has been accused of sexual harassment by the writer of the series, Kater Gordon.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gordon, who won an Emmy for her writing on the series, revealed that during her time on the show, where she was Weiner’s personal assistant and later promoted to a staff writer, the show runner demanded to see her naked.
“I had the Emmy, but instead of being able to use that as a launch pad for the rest of my career, it became an anchor because I felt I had to answer to speculative stories in the press. I eventually walked away instead of fighting back.” Gordon said in an interview.
She felt that speaking out would ruin her career and her chance at a valuable credit on the season finale, she said, so she stayed silent aside from telling a colleague.
In response, Weiner’s representative released the following statement, “Mr. Weiner spent eight to ten hours a day writing dialogue aloud with Miss Gordon, who started on ‘Mad Men’ as his writers assistant. He does not remember saying this comment nor does it reflect a comment he would say to any colleague.”
The statement continued, “During the nine years he was showrunner on ‘Mad Men’, Mr. Weiner had a predominantly female driven writers room. He has long believed in and implemented an egalitarian working environment including the highest levels of production and writing based on mutual respect for all.”
Together, Weiner and Gordon won an Emmy in September 2009 for the episode they penned together. At first, Gordon said she was “elated” but that as the night wore on, she began to feel "empty," leaving the afterparty early.
Just weeks later, Weiner called to let Gordon know that he wouldn't be renewing her contract for the upcoming fourth season. When Gordon asked why, she claims that Weiner began telling her about all the ways she had “fallen short.”
Afterwards, Gordon lost her desire to write and moved to Palo Alto, California, where she's now forming a nonprofit to help victims of sexual harassment called Modern Alliance that aims to connect disparate organizations working to eradicate the behavior.
Weiner joins the never ending list of big names of entertainment industry being accused of sexual misconduct.
Dozens of women accused Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein of harassment and assault. More powerful men, such as actor Kevin Spacey and Dustin Hoffman were also accused of sexual misconduct.