Weinstein’s alleged abuse was Hollywood’s in-joke for years

MANY in Hollywood say they never knew the truth about Harvey Weinstein — so why did they all laugh at these jokes?

SINCE the allegations about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s decades-long pattern of sexual abuse have been made public, one question has persisted: Who knew?

Some, including Weinstein’s friend and film colleague Meryl Streep, have publicly insisted they knew nothing.

Others, including stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan, have revealed they were themselves alleged victims of Weinstein’s unwanted advances.

Weinstein’s reputation was enough of an open secret in Hollywood to be used as fodder for award show hosts and TV joke writers over the years.

THE OSCARS

Seth McFarlane cracked a joke about Weinstein at the 2013 Oscar nominee announcement event.

In a 2013 event to announce the nominees for that year’s Academy Awards, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane made a close-to-the-bone joke about Weinstein that drew a hearty laugh from the audience of Hollywood insiders.

After he and co-host Emma Stone had announced the nominees for Best Supporting Actress, including Anne Hathaway, Sally Field and Australia’s Jackie Weaver, MacFarlane quipped: “Congratulations, you five ladies no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein.”

30 ROCK

This Tina Fey-helmed sitcom made at least two Weinstein jokes during its seven seasons on the air, both coming courtesy of character Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski), a blonde, ambitious actress with a long history of misadventures with Hollywood sleazebags (her rocky relationship with Mickey Rourke is a long-running joke on the show).

In one episode, Maroney tells fellow actor Tracy Jordan that she knows how to handle herself in show business:

In another episode, Maroney references Weinstein as a “former lover” — although their encounter doesn’t seem very loving:

Another 30 Rock Harvey Weinstein joke from S7E10. pic.twitter.com/haAC3QPHhh

— Mira G (@miragh17) October 9, 2017

ENTOURAGE

This HBO comedy series was filled with Hollywood in-jokes, among them the character of “Harvey Weingard”, an ill-tempered movie producer who was a thinly veiled version of Weinstein. Entourage portrayed “Weingard” as cantankerous and rude but hugely influential in Hollywood — someone who’d think nothing of ending a career if he didn’t get his way.

Say what you will about Entourage, but they satirized Harry Knowles & Harvey Weinstein as creeps like 13 years ago: pic.twitter.com/HGntbi25Y4

— VermiZack Pejorative (@MuseZack) October 6, 2017

Weinstein was not initially pleased with the portrayal, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Star Kevin Connolly told the outlet he was confronted by Weinstein at a party.

“Harvey Weinstein just came over and told me to tell my producers they’re dead. ‘Tell them if they ever mention my name again, they’re dead,’” he recounted.

Below is a video compilation of Harvey Weingard scenes from Entourage.

Warning: The video contains coarse language.