OT: #MeToo brings down Chris Hardwick . . . gotta say, I am shocked

[TenerHallTerror]

Twitter has supposedly discovered the person/vehicle by which he executed his blacklist; some producer who worked with him. One thing that strikes me is that few, if anyone, in the industry (save Adam Corolla) has come to his defense. I'm sure there is a lot to this story. And his ex is really risking it by smearing the name of the guy who married a Hearst. Having said that, this excerpt from his book isn't so 'funny ha ha' now...

seems like something pretty sick to joke about in a book, if there was something sinister behind it

hearing rumors that there are now text messages from both parties during the end of their relationship, and a year afterwards. seems to paint a far more innocuous picture than Dykstra alleges. stay tuned.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

seems like something pretty sick to joke about in a book, if there was something sinister behind it

hearing rumors that there are now text messages from both parties during the end of their relationship, and a year afterwards. seems to paint a far more innocuous picture than Dykstra alleges. stay tuned.

I read that. At this point it’s very muddy and unfortunately for Hardwick it’s shoot first ask questions later.

 

[BBrown]

seems like something pretty sick to joke about in a book, if there was something sinister behind it

hearing rumors that there are now text messages from both parties during the end of their relationship, and a year afterwards. seems to paint a far more innocuous picture than Dykstra alleges. stay tuned.

I haven't been following this all that close but I did see some texts that Hardwick
released.
IDK I guess he could have had her "blackballed" but she seems awfully clingy to me.¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I guess I need more actual proof than "his friends haven't come to his defense" in todays age that's almost an admission of guilt by his friends and then they are subject to the slime that is the twitterverse.

http://www.newsweek.com/who-chloe-dykstra-chris-hardwick-texts-statement-girlfriend-987500

http://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/2018/06/19/chris-hardwick-breakup-text-chloe-dykstra-revealed/

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I haven't been following this all that close but I did see some texts that Hardwick
released.
IDK I guess he could have had her "blackballed" but she seems awfully clingy to me.¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I guess I need more actual proof than "his friends haven't come to his defense" in todays age that's almost an admission of guilt by his friends and then they are subject to the slime that is the twitterverse.

http://www.newsweek.com/who-chloe-dykstra-chris-hardwick-texts-statement-girlfriend-987500

http://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/2018/06/19/chris-hardwick-breakup-text-chloe-dykstra-revealed/

I’ll add that others who have worked with him agree with and support Dykstra

 

[tboyer]

Dykstra's piece rang true for me. My wife read it and wept. I suspect that kind of behavior is pretty common among powerful men. They work hard, they make a lot of money, they feel entitled to have a beautiful woman waiting at home for them available for sex 24-7.

The only kind of woman who wants that job is someone with self-esteem issues, so the man helpfully supplies the self-esteem issues by telling her repeatedly that she's worthless without him.

I personally can't fathom wanting to have sex with someone who is not into it at that point in time. That just doesn't compute for me. That would take all the fun out of it. Use a blow-up doll, anything. Don't treat a human being like a blow-up doll.

#meetoo is making it so you can't be an asshole and have a career in front of TV or movie cameras. Not sure I see the harm in that. There are 10,000 good looking guys out there with just as much talent as Hardwick who are not assholes, so let one of them have the job,.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I haven't been following this all that close but I did see some texts that Hardwick
released.
IDK I guess he could have had her "blackballed" but she seems awfully clingy to me.¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I guess I need more actual proof than "his friends haven't come to his defense" in todays age that's almost an admission of guilt by his friends and then they are subject to the slime that is the twitterverse.

http://www.newsweek.com/who-chloe-dykstra-chris-hardwick-texts-statement-girlfriend-987500

http://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/2018/06/19/chris-hardwick-breakup-text-chloe-dykstra-revealed/

My guess is Hardwick leaked those to save face. Her behavior as noted in the texts seems typical of someone who has self esteem issues and is so willing to blame herself for everything. I think she noted as much in her original piece. This sums it up for me:



I'll add there is a level of toxicity and misogyny in the 'nerd/geek/gaming/fanboy/cosplay' culture, that for so long has been a nerdy boys club, that this isn't at all difficult to believe. Especially when all of a sudden these 'nerd' types are surrounded by women like this at comic book conventions:

 

[tboyer]

Absolutely, who else would have leaked her texts? Another dick move helps make the case that he's a dick.

I guess the most forgiving take on Hardwick at this point is that he truly has no idea he was an asshole. He's so caught up in his own celebrity glamour that he just thought it was perfectly normal to treat his girlfriend like she was a paid escort.

How could she not be grateful? She got to hang out in his apartment all day watching TV and eating his food and just thinking about how awesome it was to be Chris Hardwick's girlfriend, and when he finally showed up at the end of the night, well, she owed HIM.

I would suspect there are a lot of men in that world who think that way. In fact I've met a few.

My guess is Hardwick leaked those to save face. Her behavior as noted in the texts seems typical of someone who has self esteem issues and is so willing to blame herself for everything. I think she noted as much in her original piece. T

 

[Notsofastmyfriend21]

Who is Chris Hardwick?

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Who is Chris Hardwick?

He's sort of like the King of the Nerds, if the king was a former alcoholic and married a model/Hearst heiress.

 

[Pardlion]

He's sort of like the King of the Nerds, if the king was a former alcoholic and married a model/Hearst heiress.

He doesn't sound like a role model. Except for the model/heiress part.

 

[Notsofastmyfriend21]

He's sort of like the King of the Nerds, if the king was a former alcoholic and married a model/Hearst heiress.

Interesting angle for fame: Market yourself to nerds exclusively. Isn't this was Olivia Munn did? Surprised more don't take this approach to their chase of fame.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Interesting angle for fame: Market yourself to nerds exclusively. Isn't this was Olivia Munn did? Surprised more don't take this approach to their chase of fame.

Pretty much. She was on G4 TV's 'Attack of the Show' which was geared towards gamers and comic book fans and the like. This was sort of her schtick....

This was her co-host:

He's a knowledgeable guy in this sector. Still, he got to do stuff like this all the time:

 

[TenerHallTerror]

Hardwick's wife came out to defend him:

"This is not a statement in defense, this is a statement of defense,” Hearst tells ET. “Defense for all the women who have been sexually abused, raped, trafficked, and tortured; defense of all the people who this movement was started for. Over the last year the #MeToo movement has rightly aimed a spotlight directly on women whose stories needed to be told. As someone who has been involved in toxic relationships in the past, I know firsthand the importance of sharing these stories and do not take this situation lightly."

“I have made the decision to come out in support of my husband not out of obligation, but out of necessity to speak the truth about the person I know," the statement continues. "Chris is nothing but loving and compassionate and is the only person who has stood by me, never judged me, helped me heal, and feel whole. To defend my husband would be giving credence to any of these accusations. I will not do that."

Hearst, 33, says "the truth will always win."

"Chris Hardwick is a good man,” she says. “I remain in complete support of my husband, and I believe that the truth will always win. #TimesUp because I know my truth and I believe in due process.”

 

[BBrown]

Hardwick's wife came out to defend him:

"This is not a statement in defense, this is a statement of defense,” Hearst tells ET. “Defense for all the women who have been sexually abused, raped, trafficked, and tortured; defense of all the people who this movement was started for. Over the last year the #MeToo movement has rightly aimed a spotlight directly on women whose stories needed to be told. As someone who has been involved in toxic relationships in the past, I know firsthand the importance of sharing these stories and do not take this situation lightly."

“I have made the decision to come out in support of my husband not out of obligation, but out of necessity to speak the truth about the person I know," the statement continues. "Chris is nothing but loving and compassionate and is the only person who has stood by me, never judged me, helped me heal, and feel whole. To defend my husband would be giving credence to any of these accusations. I will not do that."

Hearst, 33, says "the truth will always win."

"Chris Hardwick is a good man,” she says. “I remain in complete support of my husband, and I believe that the truth will always win. #TimesUp because I know my truth and I believe in due process.”

Not always.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Hardwick's wife came out to defend him:

"This is not a statement in defense, this is a statement of defense,” Hearst tells ET. “Defense for all the women who have been sexually abused, raped, trafficked, and tortured; defense of all the people who this movement was started for. Over the last year the #MeToo movement has rightly aimed a spotlight directly on women whose stories needed to be told. As someone who has been involved in toxic relationships in the past, I know firsthand the importance of sharing these stories and do not take this situation lightly."

“I have made the decision to come out in support of my husband not out of obligation, but out of necessity to speak the truth about the person I know," the statement continues. "Chris is nothing but loving and compassionate and is the only person who has stood by me, never judged me, helped me heal, and feel whole. To defend my husband would be giving credence to any of these accusations. I will not do that."

Hearst, 33, says "the truth will always win."

"Chris Hardwick is a good man,” she says. “I remain in complete support of my husband, and I believe that the truth will always win. #TimesUp because I know my truth and I believe in due process.”

So, she doesn’t believe Dykstra.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

Hardwick ex Jacinda Barrett defends him on instagram:

LINK

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Hardwick ex Jacinda Barrett defends him on instagram:

LINK

Blast from ‘The Real World’ past. One of the last seasons I watched.

 

[AWS1022]

If what she wrote is true, then he outlined all the “rules” at the beginning of their relationship proving that he was a d*ck....why did she stay with him at that point? It was early on, she couldn’t have been that attached to him yet.

 

[ram2020]

If what she wrote is true, then he outlined all the “rules” at the beginning of their relationship proving that he was a d*ck....why did she stay with him at that point? It was early on, she couldn’t have been that attached to him yet.

This is a major bone of contention I share as well. #metooers saying that their date or boyfriend was immediately abusive and sexually predatory. Fine, so then why not leave them immediately? Is it because they can provide you a certain level of access to a life or career you want? Is it because you are too insecure to speak out? If so, why do you wait until the relationship dissolves to then find the power to speak out and write the details of the relationship and submit it to a national publication or blog? I think it does take guts to speak out on this topic, but it takes guts in the beggining, or at the sacrifice of your career goals. It doesn't take a lot of sacrifice to speak out after you are no longer benefiting from the relationship. Running to the NY Times 30 years after your abuse just seems odd to me, too convenient. Before people slam my post for a lack of sensitivity or respect for women, I assure you that is not the case. I guess I just respect them and admire them a lot more than most.....I actually believe they have the power to leave a date or end an abusive relationship before it becomes that way. As much as we shine the light on those that have abused, I think there needs to be some frankness about due process and those that accuse.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

Hardwick's ex and close friend Andrea Savage defends him:

LINK

“None of this rang true in terms of my experience with him,” she added. “He’s truly one of the least controlling people. That’s not the Chris I know.”

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Hardwick's ex and close friend Andrea Savage defends him:

LINK

“None of this rang true in terms of my experience with him,” she added. “He’s truly one of the least controlling people. That’s not the Chris I know.”

Certainly room for all of these women to be telling the truth.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

Certainly room for all of these women to be telling the truth.

this is also true

 

[AWS1022]

Certainly room for all of these women to be telling the truth.

But it’s a stretch...usually an abusive person is abusive in all their relationships.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

But it’s a stretch...usually an abusive person is abusive in all their relationships.

I don't agree with that, especially when the abuse is emotional/psychological. Another factor here is that this is Hardwick in 2002 (when he was with Savage, and still an alcoholic):

He was basically a 'never was' for the most part - at that point in his career, he was toiling around trying to get a pilot to stick. His career didn't take off until later, and was seriously on the rise when he was with Dykstra, when he was recovering from alcoholism and basically the 'it' brand in the geek/fandom/nerd entertainment space. Here he is with Dykstra...

 

[TenerHallTerror]

I don't agree with that, especially when the abuse is emotional/psychological. Another factor here is that this is Hardwick in 2002 (when he was with Savage, and still an alcoholic):

He was basically a 'never was' for the most part - at that point in his career, he was toiling around trying to get a pilot to stick. His career didn't take off until later, and was seriously on the rise when he was with Dykstra, when he was recovering from alcoholism and basically the 'it' brand in the geek/fandom/nerd entertainment space. Here he is with Dykstra...

so my fiancee (who is adamantly in the Hardwick is guilty camp) had this conversation last night.

you're right, it is entirely possible he abused Dykstra and no other woman.

the weird thing is . . . look at a guy like Cosby. once a few allegations came out, dozens of women independently told the same story. made their allegations more credible. same with Weinstein, et al.

I think Woody Allen sometimes gets a pass because he is an accomplished and talented writer/director, but also there is only one allegation against him

but one allegation and multiple denials still doesn't exonerate guys like Hardwick.

 

[RGWhirly]

but one allegation and multiple denials still doesn't exonerate guys like Hardwick.

It also doesn't mean he did it, yet he is already assumed guilty and suffering consequences financially and to his reputation.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

It also doesn't mean he did it, yet he is already assumed guilty and suffering consequences financially and to his reputation.

He admitted to the keeping her under lock and key during conventions in his book. There wasn't any physical abuse, but there are witnesses to his asking when they could have sex again (his first question) after her ectopic pregnancy scare. Again, at this time of his life, he's the King of Geekdom. At other times, mostly a Hollywood hangaround. He could change, they could change, etc. Others have defended Dykstra (mostly professionals in the industry, not personal friends of hers); if Hardwick and others are innocent, he should take her to court. She says she has other proof - we'll see what he does.

 

[AWS1022]

I don't agree with that, especially when the abuse is emotional/psychological. Another factor here is that this is Hardwick in 2002 (when he was with Savage, and still an alcoholic):

He was basically a 'never was' for the most part - at that point in his career, he was toiling around trying to get a pilot to stick. His career didn't take off until later, and was seriously on the rise when he was with Dykstra, when he was recovering from alcoholism and basically the 'it' brand in the geek/fandom/nerd entertainment space. Here he is with Dykstra...

A person can change some things, but not their basic personality. The scorpion and the frog....a bad guy is a bad guy. If he was as bad as she said he was, he’s not going to change from that to a great guy in a matter of a couple weeks (when he jumped to another relationship). So either she’s blowing things out of proportion or the other women defending him are downplaying his behavior. My guess is it’s somewhere in the middle.

 

[christoph]

Sounds like just s bad relationship. How is this “bringing him down”? Why didn’t she leave

 

[psualt]

Here is Chloe’s post:


Our relationship started out poorly. Within 2 weeks, rules were quickly established. Some of these included:

1. I “should not want to go somewhere at night”. My nights were expected to be reserved for him, as he had a busy schedule. This alienated me from my friends.
2. I was to not have close male friends unless we worked together. All photos of male friends were to be removed from my apartment. This was heartbreaking for me, as my best friend happened to be male.
3. As he was sober, I was not to drink alcohol. Before we began dating he said, “I noticed you have a glass of wine with dinner. That’s going to stop.”
4. I was not to speak in public places (elevators, cars with drivers, restaurants where tables were too close) as he believed that people recognized him and were listening to our conversations. Our dinners out were usually silent, him on his phone.
5. I wasn’t allowed to take a photo of us. (Eventually, he softened on this rule, but was very stern about me asking permission.)

These were just a few of them. And I made the choice to accept his controlling behavior, as he’d just left his long-term girlfriend and I assumed that he was going through some serious emotional discomfort. This was a huge mistake.

Maybe at the two week point she should have moved on. I'm so sick of hearing people bitch about circumstances they had complete ability to change. It's an understatement that to say that these "rules" were a warning sign.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

A person can change some things, but not their basic personality. The scorpion and the frog....a bad guy is a bad guy. If he was as bad as she said he was, he’s not going to change from that to a great guy in a matter of a couple weeks (when he jumped to another relationship). So either she’s blowing things out of proportion or the other women defending him are downplaying his behavior. My guess is it’s somewhere in the middle.

You don’t think money, fame, power, and influence change people?

 

[fkkkjm]

You don’t think money, fame, power, and influence change people?

Why are you so emotionally connected to this? He’s one of several dozen celebrities accused of this.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Why are you so emotionally connected to this? He’s one of several dozen celebrities accused of this.

Hardwick is an important person for fans of genre TV, comics, movies, sci-fi, etc. He seemed like a great story for those of us who have followed his career - made being geeky cool and celebrated it. In other words, he’s no Weinstein and his many fans are really shocked and disappointed. Having said that, not many here sticking up with or siding with the victim, so I try to offer balance when THT updates the thread.

 

[fkkkjm]

Hardwick is an important person for fans of genre TV, comics, movies, sci-fi, etc. He seemed like a great story for those of us who have followed his career - made being geeky cool and celebrated it. In other words, he’s no Weinstein and his many fans are really shocked and disappointed. Having said that, not many here sticking up with or siding with the victim, so I try to offer balance when THT updates the thread.

I don’t understand. You really admire the guy, but you are intentionally siding against him in a he said/she said argument because nobody else is?

Not hatin, just don’t get it.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I don’t understand. You really admire the guy, but you are intentionally siding against him in a he said/she said argument because nobody else is?

Not hatin, just don’t get it.

Well, I used to admire him a lot. But, when it comes to this stuff, I tend to believe victims. I still think he, and everyone else accused, deserves due process. I don’t know how that is possible today though unless he takes her to court, and he won’t.

 

[AWS1022]

You don’t think money, fame, power, and influence change people?

Yes, but he’s more famous now than when he dated the author of this article....and money and power don’t usually make someone a better person .

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Yes, but he’s more famous now than when he dated the author of this article....and money and power don’t usually make someone a better person .

Right, but he was very, very popular and influential even then. My point is he goes from a schlub wannabe to the King of Nerds (after years of hard work) and goes to Vanity Fair parties and big premieres where his presence is kind of a big deal. The other factor here and not present in his previous relationships is a 17 year age difference.

 

[AWS1022]

Right, but he was very, very popular and influential even then. My point is he goes from a schlub wannabe to the King of Nerds (after years of hard work) and goes to Vanity Fair parties and big premieres where his presence is kind of a big deal. The other factor here and not present in his previous relationships is a 17 year age difference.

I guess we’ll never know for sure, but my guess is someone is lying or exaggerating.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I guess we’ll never know for sure, but my guess is someone is lying or exaggerating.

If not for the industry blackballing she’s accusing him of, this is just a very, very bad relationship that wasn’t well served by her belief that he might change at some point. The blackballing elevates things a bit but I mostly agree with you.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

Lady Sif chimes in, circulating a petition to reinstate Hardwick

LINK