“Jussie Smollett continues to be a consummate professional on set and as we have previously stated, he is not being written out of the show,” 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment said.—Wednesday, February 20, 2019
And then he was arrested and the CPD laid it all out on the table..............................
In fairness, it's probably safer to stand behind him than it is to stand in front of him.
So:
2019: Character is “suspended for the remainder of the season.”
2019: Defense attorneys plea bargain down charges to lesser offense with say... a big fine and limited jail time (served at a “Club Fed”-type location (?)).
2019: Defendant enters “Alford” plea and is sentenced under the terms of the plea bargain. Never publicly admits to committing the crime.
2019 - 2021: Character continues to be absent from show during 2019 and 2020 seasons. Periodic mentions in other character dialogue to maintain audience memory of his character.
Late 2020 into 2021: Early release likely due to time off due to good behavior. Returns to show “bringing new depth to his performances due the prison enrichment of his experiences” (PR will do all it can to polish the t_ _ d.)
2021: JS = Gay + black + orange = Character return to series (and maybe that pay raise after all?)
By the way, notice how much coverage of the case has already dropped off in MSM?
A couple days ago they were saying they “stood behind him,” and “saw no reason to make any changes to his role.”
People have yet to learn with fast moving stories it is best not to make any comment at all. Sometimes it is best to wait until the dust settles and things become clearer.
“A couple days ago they were saying they “stood behind him,” and “saw no reason to make any changes to his role.””
yeah, but we all know how corporate bullshit will turn on a dime depending on how violently the weather-vein of public opinion shifts ...