Why Jerrod Carmichael Misses Ousted Hollywood Producer Scott Rudin

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In 2021, The New York Times, Vulture, and The Hollywood Reporter published extensive reports of powerful film producer Scott Rudin’s alleged workplace misconduct. The stories detailed various concerning incidents, including Rudin throwing phones at his assistants, screaming at coworkers, and slamming a computer on someone’s hand when they were unable to book him a seat on a sold-out flight.

Since news of his behavior came to light, Rudin has not been officially attached to any major Hollywood project. (His last credited film is The Woman in the Window, a 2021 thriller starring Amy Adams.) Aside from listing a property earlier this year, Rudin has stayed away from the public eye in the wake of the allegations. That said, not all of Hollywood has turned their back on the producer, who was behind films such as Uncut Gems, No Country for Old Men, and The Social Network.

In Esquire’s latest digital cover story, which features Jerrod Carmichael, the comedian opened up about missing Rudin’s presence in the media world. When asked about his faith in God—which has evolved between his 2022 HBO stand-up special, Rothaniel, and his new series, Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show—he brought up the producer. “I was talking about Scott Rudin at dinner and how much I miss him,” Carmichael told Esquire. “I miss him. I love him. I was saying, ‘Scott’s just so important. He’s so good. He’s so important.’ ”

During the interview, he compared Rudin’s influence in Hollywood to how one would talk about a deity. “Describing Scott Rudin is describing God,” he said. “In that, he’s just like, I can’t tell you exactly who he is, just that he’s needed and that he makes things better and that he offers a certain security and focus that is hard to articulate. I don’t know how to explain the concept. I just know he’s needed. He’s needed.”

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