Lost writer makes further accusation of toxic work environment
Lost writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach has addressed his allegations of a toxic workplace behind the scenes of the acclaimed series.
In a book by TV critic Maureen Ryan titled Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood, Grillo-Marxuach and other writers, actors and crew members spoke out against the series, claiming racist and sexist humour was used in the writers' room and against the cleaning staff.
They further alleged that showrunner and co-creator Damon Lindelof and co-executive producer Carlton Cuse did little to improve the situation.
After the accusations were revealed (via Vanity Fair), Grillo-Marxuach took to his social media to share a statement in which he claims many working on the ABC show were "treated quite badly".
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"If Lost is so great a work of art as to continue to be a topic of discussion after all these years, then it is cruel to expect those of us who were there to remain silent as to how the show was made.
"Lost succeeded because of the sustained contribution of many, many artists, many of them geniuses in their own right, and many of whom were treated quite badly and then disappeared in favor of 'auteur showrunner' hagiography.
"Since quitting the show at the end of its second season, I have mostly played along with the useful hypocrisy that Lost was successful because of two geniuses whose behavior behind the scenes was every bit as delightful as it is in conventions, interviews, and talk shows. I call this hypocrisy useful because it allowed me to continue to work after Lost without career-ending retribution. It also allowed 'Darlton' to rise to great wealth and cultural influence."
Grillo-Marxuach went on to say that he decided to speak out in the "hope that future abusers will be deterred, and that blowing the whistle on abusers becomes less stigmatized".
Lindelof was interviewed for Ryan's book, and said that he "failed" in fostering a safe and comfortable work environment.
"My level of fundamental inexperience as a manager and a boss, my role as someone who was supposed to model a climate of creative danger and risk-taking but provide safety and comfort inside of the creative process — I failed in that endeavour," he said.
"The way that I conduct myself and the way that I treat other humans who I am responsible for and a manager of is a by-product of all the mistakes that were made. I have significantly evolved and grown, and it shouldn't have had to come at the cost and the trauma of people that I hurt on Lost."
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Cuse also spoke on the matter, insisting he wasn't aware of the complaints.
"It's deeply upsetting to know that there were people who had such bad experiences," he said. "I did not know people were feeling that way. No one ever complained to me, nor am I aware that anybody complained to ABC Studios. I wish I had known. I would have done what I could to make changes."
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