Allegations of Charlie Rose’s predatory ways took many by surprise of Monday, with multiple female employees claiming they were groped by the 75-year-old newsman over the past 25 years.
The 13 women who made claims of sexual misconduct over the past 24 hours all said that the alleged incidents occurred between 1991 and 2010, and right in the middle of that period came the 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums.
In the Oscar-nominated film, there is one scene where 24-year-old Margot Tenebnaum (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) has her breasts groped by TV host Peter Bradley (played by Larry Pine), whose character is based on Rose.
That moment is part of of a montage showing details of Margot’s past, and the script reads: ‘Margot sits in a make-up chair at a television studio. Peter Bradley comes up behind her and puts his hands down her shirt. Margot smiles at him mischievously.’
Coping a feel: A character in the 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums who is based on TV host Charlie Rose gropes a female character played by Gwyneth Paltrow (above)
Coincidentally, Paltrow was also 24 the first and only time she appeared on Charlie Rose’s eponymous talk show.
That was to promote the film Emma, and she never went back on the program after that appearance.
Paltrow did however appear on CBS This Morning during Rose’s time on the show.
Tenenbaums writer and director Wes Anderson on the other hand has appeared on Rose to promote every single one of his films since his 1999 movie Rushmore.
The one exception to that is Tenenbaums, with Anderson not being interview after the release of that film despite the film getting a big promotional push ahead of its release.
He was however asked to fill in for Rose a few months after the film’s release and interview legendary producer Robert Evans.
His co-writer Owen Wilson meanwhile did not appear on the program until years after the release of the film.
Rose did not at any point in those interviews acknowledge the fact that the man based a character on him in the movie.
That same montage meanwhile also alludes to the long-running rumor that Anna Wintour had a brief marriage to singer Bob Marley, with Margot seen hanging out on a Jamaican beach with a ‘group of Rastafarians’ as a man in a priest’s collar conducts a ceremony.
CBS terminated Rose’s contract on Tuesday less than 24 hours after multiple women accused him of making unwanted sexual advances.
The news was revealed in an interview memo sent to staffers by CBS News president David Rhodes, who stated that ‘there is absolutely nothing more important, in this or any organization, than ensuring a safe, professional workplace.’
Rhodes, who is being widely applauded for his network’s swift and frank response to the allegations against Rose, also said: ‘I’ve also heard that things used to be different. And no one can change the past.
‘But what may once have been accepted should not ever have been acceptable.’
Rhodes went on to explain the reason behind the network’s decision.
‘CBS News has reported on extraordinary revelations at other media companies this year and last,’ said Rhodes.
‘Our credibility in that reporting requires credibility managing basic standards of behavior. That is why we have taken these actions.’
Writing from experience?: The screenplay was written by Oscar nominees Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson (left, Rose on right)
Rose was initially suspended from the network on Monday when The Washington Post published the accounts of eight women who claim they were sexually harassed or assaulted by the journalist. That was followed by additional allegations from five other women.
He joined CBS in 2012, hosting CBS This Morning and appearing on 60 Minutes while also occasionally guest hosting the CBS Evening News.
Rose had signed a lengthy contract extension in 2015 with the network.
He began appearing on 60 Minutes II in 1999, and then moved over to the main show when that program was cancelled back in 2008.
PBS quickly followed suit, stating: ‘In light of yesterday’s revelations, PBS has terminated its relationship with Charlie Rose and cancelled distribution of his programs.’
The network, which has aired Rose’s show since 1991, also noted: ‘PBS expects all the producers we work with to provide a workplace where people feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect.’
A cameraman caught Rose returning to his apartment Monday night, after he had been suspended.
When the cameraman asked if Rose wanted to say anything to his accusers, Rose said ‘What?’ and started laughing.
‘You want to say anything to the accusers – the people who are accusing you of all these wrongdoings?’ tasked the cameraman.
‘It’s not wrongdoings,’ said Rose as he turned into his building.
He made that comment just hours after his apology in response to the allegations ran in the Post, and when writer Amy Brittain inquired about the disparate tone struck by Rose his publicist said: ‘Charlie Rose sticks by his statement Amy. No comment on the below.’
News of these firings likely brings to an end the storied career of one of the most acclaimed newsman of his generation, with Rose picking up a Peabody in 2013 and the Walter Cronkite Excellence in Journalism Award two years later in 2015.