“Girls” co-showrunner Jenni Konner revealed an “inappropriate” conversation imposed on Lena Dunham while dining with some crew members after a shoot.
In the latest Lenny newsletter, Konner states a producer/director of “another TV show that shoots nearby” “cornered Lena,” and showed her an “iPhone photo of a mutual friend with a c–k next to her face, ostensibly a still from his TV show but shown at a completely inappropriate time.”
According to Konner, the director then asked Dunham to have dinner with an actress on his TV show to persuade the actress to “show her tits, or at least some vag” on TV.
“Surely Lena could make a compelling argument,” added Konner. “After all, he continued, ‘You would show anything. Even your a–hole.’
Evidently shocked, Konner added, “This is something a man felt compelled to say to a Golden Globe-winning actor, showrunner and best-selling author who just happens to be female … Despite Lena’s obvious discomfort, he then went on to critique and crudely evaluate the bodies of all the women on his show.”
The men in their group suggested the director seemed extremely drunk, to which Konner wrote, “Phew, that explains everything.”
She then punch-lined that set-up: “When women get drunk, they are asking for it. When men get drunk, they don’t mean it.”
Konner shared this story to highlight the continuing and pervasive sexism in Hollywood, adding that this is “common behavior with strangers and Lena.”
“In my most generous moments, I can see their nervousness, their familiarity with her frank sexual work, and their desire to make a connection,” Konner wrote.
At the end of the essay, Konner asked for people to stand up against the misogyny.
“The only thing standing between men and outdated, hideous behavior is their ability to get away with it,” she wrote. “Our voices are our superpower.”
“Girls” is currently filming its last season, which will return to HBO next year.
'Girls' Season 5: 9 Most Memorable Moments (Photos)
Marnie’s wedding makeup mishap (episode 5.o1)
As Marnie's hired makeup artist (a hilarious Bridget Everett) horrendously misinterprets the bride's preferred "Laurel Canyon classic" aesthetic as "Selena Gomez meets Jesus," Jessa (Jemima Kirke), of all people, steps in to save the day. It's a rare moment of maturity from the most flightly and undependable of the quartet, and the girls have a rare moment of showing how much they actually love each other.
HBO
Charlie returns (Episode 5.06)
As Marnie (Allison Williams) seeks time and distance from Desi (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), she unexpectedly runs into Charlie (Christopher Abbott), the boyfriend who loved her deeply and then abruptly dumped her. Over the course of the night, the duo's ups and downs leads to a major revelation for Marnie -- and one of the most powerful episodes "Girls" ever.
HBO
Marnie and Desi breakup (Episode 5.06)
After her night with Charlie, Marnie realizes she has no choice but to break up with Desi and end their marriage. He hilariously replies she has no life experience, and, "You're just gonna get murdered, Marnie."
HBO
Post-breakup Marnie (Episode 5.07)
As these self-centered friends attempt to talk out their personal dramas, Marnie utters one of the season's most memorable lines in answer to Hannah (Lena Dunham) trying to engage her in gossip about whether Adam (Adam Driver) and Jessa are sleeping together: “I’m too busy Yelping divorce lawyers to care about the sex lives of our second-tier friends.”
HBO
Adam's play (Episode 5.07)
As Adam acts in an interactive play about the murder of Kitty Genovese, a completely wordless scene is pulled off flawlessly as Hannah confirms, through the way Adam and Jessa look at each other from across a courtyard, that her best friend and ex-boyfriend are indeed together.
As Hannah reconnects with an old friend/nemesis, Talley (Jenny Slate), perfectly mirrors Dunham's own experience with fame, and how it could adversely one's own life.
HBO
Ray’s anti-hipster cafe (Episode 5.10)
As Ray (Alex Karpovsky) struggles to contain his anger against the very hipster coffee shop that's opened up across the street from his own, Shoshana (Zosia Mamet) steps in to save the day by making their Brooklyn establishment something totally new -- a place for people with jobs and no man-buns.
HBO
Jealousy (Episode 5.10)
As Adam and Jessa had the most epic of meltdowns, Hannah went the complete opposite route, showing a level of maturity and self-awareness in sharing the story in front of a Moth Story slam audience. Her calm demeanor and raw honesty was a departure for a character who leans more toward narcissism. This girl is definitely growing up.
HBO
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Lena Dunham’s HBO series began with a wedding that shouldn’t have been and ended with Hannah gaining some much needed maturity
