It Wasn't The Nightly News
Can you imagine if one day Robin Quivers from the Howard Stern show decided she was going to sue the show for being subject to a sexually hostile environment? Well, a producer from Playboy Radio sued Playboy because she felt she was subjected to a sexually hostile environment. Now, in full disclosure I want you to know that I have handled sexual harassment cases from the employer and employee side.
I am the first person to stand up and say something should be done. Playboy is like any other company, and just because it is a company primarily devoted to things of a sexual nature does not automatically give it a free pass. However, in this case, I think Playboy might just have a point.
The producer complained because she had to produce a radio show called Night Calls where people call in an discuss sex problems, and the host, in this case Christy Canyon helps out the callers and also is not averse to participating in some very hot, uncensored chat with the callers. Even more extreme than Howard Stern. So, the host tried to involve the producer in the show much as Howard involves people from where he works. The producer took exception to it and did not like the fact that Christy was talking dirty to callers or exposing herself even though it was being shot for Playboy TV.
The producer claims Canyon created a hostile environment by, among other things, "exposing her genitals and breasts to co-workers, making requests to guests and co-workers to touch her genitals and breasts and masturbating herself with her own hands as well as with various sex toys during live broadcasts of 'Night Calls.'"
Look, what did you think was going to happen when you signed up for this? Did you think someone from Playboy was just going to read about North Korea and its nuclear program? To me, this is just common sense. It is a sex radio show and television show. You are going to see nudity. It would be like some camera man on a porn set suing for being subject to a hostile sexual environment. He volunteered to be there for it, just as this producer volunteered and was getting paid to produce a radio sex show which was also being filmed.
This is not Jay Leno. If you want quiet, go to NPR. To me this one is ridiculous. If she were to win it would allow my absurd example of a porn cameraman to be able to sue, and win filming porn claiming it was a hostile environment.
I am the first person to stand up and say something should be done. Playboy is like any other company, and just because it is a company primarily devoted to things of a sexual nature does not automatically give it a free pass. However, in this case, I think Playboy might just have a point.
The producer complained because she had to produce a radio show called Night Calls where people call in an discuss sex problems, and the host, in this case Christy Canyon helps out the callers and also is not averse to participating in some very hot, uncensored chat with the callers. Even more extreme than Howard Stern. So, the host tried to involve the producer in the show much as Howard involves people from where he works. The producer took exception to it and did not like the fact that Christy was talking dirty to callers or exposing herself even though it was being shot for Playboy TV.
The producer claims Canyon created a hostile environment by, among other things, "exposing her genitals and breasts to co-workers, making requests to guests and co-workers to touch her genitals and breasts and masturbating herself with her own hands as well as with various sex toys during live broadcasts of 'Night Calls.'"
Look, what did you think was going to happen when you signed up for this? Did you think someone from Playboy was just going to read about North Korea and its nuclear program? To me, this is just common sense. It is a sex radio show and television show. You are going to see nudity. It would be like some camera man on a porn set suing for being subject to a hostile sexual environment. He volunteered to be there for it, just as this producer volunteered and was getting paid to produce a radio sex show which was also being filmed.
This is not Jay Leno. If you want quiet, go to NPR. To me this one is ridiculous. If she were to win it would allow my absurd example of a porn cameraman to be able to sue, and win filming porn claiming it was a hostile environment.
Was that part of the show to: "exposing her genitals and breasts to co-workers, making requests to guests and co-workers to touch her genitals and breasts and masturbating herself with her own hands as well as with various sex toys during live broadcasts of 'Night Calls.'"
ReplyDeleteOoh, can I get a job at Philip Morris then sue if I see a cigarette?
ReplyDeleteWait a second Enty, I gotta call bullshit on this one. It's one thing to understand that you are agreeing to work for a show that is sexual in nature and that will be filmed for Playboy TV. But, as Sylvia said, was there a description of what would be filmed that included watching your boss masturbate? To say that this person has no case is akin to the argument, "You wore a short skirt and f**k me heels and you didn't expect to get raped?", IMO.
ReplyDeleteShe'll win.
ReplyDeletein the eyes of the law the fact that she is a white woman is reason enough for her to win this case. Had it been a person of color suing this would be laughable. I wonder if Gloria Allred is representing her.
ReplyDeleteThere is a line. This goes beyond it.
ReplyDeleteActually Montana, according to TMZ she's African American. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
ReplyDeleteIf it was part of the show that live sex was going to be filmed, then I don't think it goes over the legal line. I don't know why the producer should be asked to join in though.
ReplyDeleteHey - I can be a cameraman for a porn film, but really - how often does the camerman get in on the action? The producer isn't supposed to be the one out there masturbating for Pete's sake!
Yeah, enty, you had me nodding in agreement until you got the part about touching genitals and involving co-workers. Who expects that on a radio show?
ReplyDeleteI think he said it was filmed for Playboy TV as well, just like Howard Stern was filmed too.
ReplyDeleteSince we don't know what the contract says and what was signed on the dotted line, it's difficult to know what the producer's rights are.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for Robin on Howard's show, he never behaves in this manner toward her.
enty,
ReplyDeletethat is crossing the line unless her contract specified that she had to participate in sexual behaviors with the host.
in my opinion, playboy needs to leave the slutfest for the mansion.
As someone who also works in law, I call bullshit on this lawsuit. If something THAT objectionable goes on in your workplace (or anywhere else) you should walk out the minute it crosses a line for you. I can't abide by people returning to a situation they feel is litigation-worthy over and over again, by their own accord, then suing. If you feel unsafe or compromised to the extent you will need to sue someone, you leave. And then explore your options. I had a case where some women were going to a chiropractor who was performing vaginal manipulations on their spines (yes, it's a legitimate practice, just isn't really done anymore). Not only did the first woman who sued not complain at the time (the first time my chiro asked me to remove my underwear, I think I'd be out the door faster than you can blink) but she continued to go back and REFERRED HER FRIENDS who also went back for numerous visits, and they then sued, too. Should the dude have been using these archaic practices, probably not. But COME ON...
ReplyDeleteReally? You guys would be surprised by touching/masturbation/sex toys on a Playboy show? If it wasn't what she was expecting, she had every right to quit, but suing? I dunno, maybe I've just watched too much porn.
ReplyDeleteI'm saying that her SEEING it, isn't a big deal considering what type of show it seems to be. Asking her to participate in it might be different.
ReplyDeleteindigo - we just had a really similar criminal case here with a chiro doing the same type of things. Didn't realize it was that prevelant.
I'm saying that her SEEING it, isn't a big deal considering what type of show it seems to be. Asking her to participate in it might be different.
ReplyDeleteindigo - we just had a really similar criminal case here with a chiro doing the same type of things. Didn't realize it was that prevelant.
Yeah, I thought we were up a creek when the case first came in, Kara. Then I started researching it and it IS a legitimate maneuver and is taught in DO school, but, obviously, because of the litigious nature of our society, no one really does it these days. I can almost buy if it were a little old lady who just trusted her doc, but this first lady was in her 30's, a savvy lady and the doc was a young good looking guy (just sayin'). And the fact that she thought he was good enough to refer her friends....not so much. We won. (represented the doc).
ReplyDeleteWhy would she sue & just not quit?
ReplyDeleteMany times there are situations, when you are asked to do something, not necessarily sexual, & if it's not for you, you leave the environment.
i'm with enty on this. in this day and age, when it crosses the line for YOU, you walk.
ReplyDeleteat least now we have laws to protect women from REAL harassment, but women like this are liable to take us back to the dark ages (like the 80's).
argh. that isn't well stated, because i'm just going back in my own head. but you guys know what i mean.
@ Bionic Bunny
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not understand what you are saying.
The "dark ages (like the 80's)" you refer to were not that long ago. Today, many women work in harrasment free environments because women like Hughes' took a stand and said, "No. I'm not going to deal with this. I have rights".
Unfortunately, Hughes' has learned that there are work environments, like this department within Playboy, that still operate in the "dark ages". Hughes is taking a stand.
What would it be like today if all those women, who are the reason those laws that protect women exist, just walked away from their hostile work environments? In other words, walking away = apathy. Someone has to be brave enough to take a stand and make a change.
BTW, Bionic Bunny, Hughes' lawsuit also includes racial harassment, which by Hughes definition probably crosses the line...should she just walk away from that also?
I agree with everyone else, it would be helpful to have more details about this case. This is my opinion based on the information presented and what I researched.
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ReplyDeleteIf I'm there to produce a radio show and Crusty tells me touch her - forget it. I wouldn't think I'd have to quit my job. Was she asked to touch her and if she didn't it was no big deal, or was she told to do it or her job would be on the line? Even if it was considered no big deal, was she made fun of by other employees?
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if there's more below the surface.