In the midst of a very public row between Arrested Development cast members Jeffrey Tambor (George Sr.) and Jessica Walter (Lucille), Netflix has cancelled pre-planned interviews with the cast.
The stars of the hit cult comedy had been scheduled to take part in multiple media interviews, to promote the new season of the show.
Goss.ie can reveal five Irish journalists (along with multiple other international media) were brought to London for a special screening of the new series, as well as a Q&A with the cast afterwards.
They were then all promised interviews with the stars of the show.
However, after shortly landing in London on Thursday, all media were told the interviews were cancelled.
In an interview with the New York Times, star of the show Jason Bateman (Michael Bluth) was seen to “belittle” an incident where Jessica was “verbally abused” by Jeffrey, and she was said to have got emotional during the “raw” questions.
There was immediately a backlash to the interview, and Jason later released a statement on Twitter, apologising for his comments.
Based on listening to the NYT interview and hearing people’s thoughts online, I realize that I was wrong here.
I sound like I’m condoning yelling at work. I do not.
It sounds like I’m excusing Jeffery. I do not.
It sounds like I’m insensitive to Jessica. I am not.
In fact, I’m-— Jason Bateman (@batemanjason) May 24, 2018
– horrified that I wasn’t more aware of how this incident affected her.
I was so eager to let Jeffrey know that he was supported in his attempt to learn, grow and apologize that I completely underestimated the feelings of the victim, another person I deeply love – and she was..— Jason Bateman (@batemanjason) May 24, 2018
… sitting right there!
I’m incredibly embarrassed and deeply sorry to have done that to Jessica. This is a big learning moment for me.
I shouldn’t have tried so hard to mansplain, or fix a fight, or make everything okay.
I should’ve focused more on what the most important…— Jason Bateman (@batemanjason) May 24, 2018
…part of it all is – there’s never any excuse for abuse, in any form, from any gender. And, the victim’s voice needs to be heard and respected.
Period.I didn’t say that and instead said a bunch of other stuff and not very well.
I deeply, and sincerely, apologize.— Jason Bateman (@batemanjason) May 24, 2018
While sources say Netflix did not give a reason for the cancelled media interviews, a well-placed source told Goss.ie “everyone knew it was because of the New York Times interview”.
“A lot of people were angry and frustrated, not only as fans of the show but as media, we were there to do a job,” another insider added.
Goss.ie contacted Netflix for comment, and they stated:
“We had planned to have most of the Arrested Development cast in London this week to support the launch of the new season and meet fans.
“At this time we have decided not to move ahead with promotional activity in the UK but hope to bring the cast back at another time.“
“(Jeffrey) never crossed the line on our show, with any, you know, sexual whatever,” Jessica had said in the New York Times interview.
“Verbally, yes, he harassed me, but he did apologize,” she added.
