Unpacking the ‘Doctor Odyssey’ Controversy: Crewmembers File Lawsuit Against Disney for Alleged Sexual Harassment and ‘Blacklisting’ After Speaking Out

Three former crew members from the ABC show "Doctor Odyssey" are suing 20th Century and Disney. They claim the companies allowed widespread sexual harassment on set for months.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, involves Caroline Mack, Alicia Haverland, and Ava Steinbrenner. They allege that Tyler Patton, the assistant prop master, repeatedly subjected them to sexual jokes, unwelcome touching, and crude comments. For instance, he reportedly sent a link that misled staff, redirecting to an explicit image instead of news related to President Biden.

The suit also highlights that Tyler’s wife, Tammie Patton, was the lead prop master. The plaintiffs argue that both Tammie and Disney were aware of previous harassment allegations against Tyler before hiring him. Notably, he was linked to a 2010 lawsuit involving similar claims at Universal Network Television, including groping and sexual propositions.

Allegations in the lawsuit indicate that Patton’s misconduct occurred frequently, often in front of management. One reported incident involved him boasting about his job security due to a personal relationship with the boss.

After the crew reported Patton’s behavior to HR, he was let go. However, Tammie reportedly retaliated against the plaintiffs, even threatening their jobs and laying off the entire props department, which was quickly replaced by new employees. The lawsuit suggests that this was a tactic to avoid addressing existing employee issues tied to the Pattons’ actions. The plaintiffs claim they have since been "blacklisted" by Disney for voicing their concerns.

Disney has not yet commented on the allegations, and "Doctor Odyssey" is currently uncertain for a second season, remaining the only scripted ABC show without a clear future.

This situation shines a light on ongoing challenges in Hollywood regarding workplace harassment. In recent years, the entertainment industry has made strides in addressing these issues, but cases like this still reveal deep-seated problems. According to recent studies, nearly 30% of women in film and television reported experiencing harassment at work. This ongoing issue emphasizes the necessity for continued vigilance and reform in the industry.

For further reading on harassment in the workplace, you can check this report by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

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20th Television,Disney,Doctor Odyssey