‘End of the casting couch’ in US TV as networks agree to limit private auditions
Written by News on 12/06/2018
New rules to guard against the “casting couch” have been agreed by four US TV networks.
ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox have agreed with the largest actors union in America to limit auditions in private hotel rooms and homes.
SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 actors, called for an end to such meetings in its Guideline No. 1 in April.
The union’s president, Gabrielle Carteris, said the goal was to eliminate the potential for “predators to exploit performers behind closed doors under the guise of a professional meeting”.
The “casting couch” is a euphemism for men seeking sexual favours in exchange for parts in movies.
It has become topical in the wake of allegations made against disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
Earlier this month, Weinstein pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault.
The alleged incidents involve two separate women in 2004 and 2013.
Weinstein, 66, has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.
(c) Sky News 2018: ‘End of the casting couch’ in US TV as networks agree to limit private auditions
