Simon responded to backlash over his comments to Rolling Stone defending Franco and explaining why he thinks The Deuce star's sexual misconduct controversy is different. Simon engaged in debate with Vanity Fair TV critic Sonia Soraiya, who asked: "David, James Franco has never publicly acknowledged the allegations really happened—let alone atone or apologize for them. He removed a woman's guard during a sex scene and simulated oral sex on her! How are you still defending him?" Meanwhile, Baltimore Sun TV critic David Zurawik wonders if Simon is wise to keep sticking up for Franco. "I don’t think a powerful male TV writer and showrunner like Simon is the best person to be telling women today what is 'this' and what is 'that' when it comes to allegations like those leveled against Franco," says Zurawik. "To me, that’s feels like the path to the wrong side of history."
TOPICS: David Simon, The Deuce, James Franco, Sexual Misconduct