Last month, Adult Swim was called out on its abysmal gender imbalance, causing executive VP Mike Lazzo to dig himself deeper with a comment about women not liking “conflict.” One former female employee was told women in the writers’ room might be a distraction.
Now, there appears to be more fallout. Brett Gelman, who’s starred in three Adult Swim specials, has reportedly cut ties with the channel, citing its systemic misogyny.
https://twitter.com/brettgelman/status/797980003539394560
https://twitter.com/brettgelman/status/796520628492697600
https://twitter.com/brettgelman/status/798208408369254405
https://twitter.com/brettgelman/status/798261893244690432
Gelman also responded to criticism of Adult Swim’s new show Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace, which, according to BuzzFeed, was shaped by alt-right trolls. Over the weekend, director and Eric Andre Show editor Andrew DeYoung called out the show as well.
https://twitter.com/Andrew_DeYoung_/status/797503017402695680
Tim Heidecker tweeted out his support for Gelman, but said he will continue to work with Adult Swim and push for more inclusion.
My thoughts on my lover @brettgelman pic.twitter.com/49g0oozdBy
— Tim Heidecker™ Official (@timheidecker) November 14, 2016
Gelman told Splitsider: “I don’t begrudge anybody for continuing to work with them, especially my friends of color. But I do think it’s time, especially for the powerful white liberal men—and I am not powerful—but for us to do something. For white liberal men it’s easy, so take that easiness and fucking do something.”
Adult Swim declined to comment at this time. We’ve reached out to Gelman for comment.