Ben Affleck Under Fire For Acting Like a Ben Affleck Character And Groping A Former ‘TRL’ Host’s Breast
Here’s something that MTV can leave in the past when it inexplicably brings back TRL: famous actors groping the hosts. In this case, the actor is Ben Affleck and the host is Hilarie Burton, and you can see what happened in the video below.
It all started when Affleck made the following statement on social media about Harvey Weinstein, the former Miramax and The Weinstein Company head who has come under fire since the New York Times published an exposé on his inappropriate sexual behavior.
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) October 10, 2017
I am saddened and angry that a man who I worked with used his position of power to intimidate, sexually harass and manipulate many women over decades. The additional allegations of assault that I read this morning made me sick. This is completely unacceptable, and I find myself asking what I can do to make sure this doesn’t happen to others. We need to do better at protecting our sisters, friends, co-workers and daughters. We must support those who come forward, condemn this type of behavior when we see it and help ensure there are more women in positions of power.
This lead to a random Twitter user bringing up the 2003 incident seen above, which pulled in Hilarie Burton herself, who, despite having a recurring role on Fox’s Lethal Weapon series, still inexplicably spells her name with an “ie”.
I didn't forget.
— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) October 10, 2017
Girls. I'm so impressed with you brave ones. I had to laugh back then so I wouldn't cry. Sending love.
— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) October 11, 2017
Okay, we’ve all seen the video, right? I mean, there were cameras rolling. Affleck was a bit fresh and out of line, can we all agree this is in no way comparable to Weinstein’s systemic abuse of his power as a studio head to sexually harass and assault a huge number of women over a period of three decades? Yes, what Ben Affleck did was wrong, and he tweeted an apology for it.
I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) October 11, 2017
But there’s a world of difference Affleck and Harvey Weinstein. Affleck put his hand in the wrong spot for a second and admitted it was inappropriate, Weinstein made a woman watch him jerk off into a potted plant and said “It’s okay, I’m old.” Not the same.
