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Sebastian Stan Has Sparked Backlash After “Pam & Tommy’s” Emmy Success

Pam & Tommy is said to have brought up “complex trauma” for Pamela Anderson, who reportedly felt “violated” by the Hulu miniseries.

On Tuesday, this year’s Emmy nominations were announced, with Succession, Ted Lasso, and The White Lotus leading the way.


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Hulu’s divisive miniseries, Pam & Tommy, also received 10 nominations across the board — with four in the ceremony’s lead categories.

The show is a contender for the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, and its leads — Sebastian Stan and Lily James — are nominated for outstanding lead actor and actress for their respective roles as Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson.

In addition, Seth Rogen has been nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series category.

Despite its success and acclaim from fans and critics alike, Pam & Tommy has been shrouded in controversy after it was reported that Pamela felt “violated” by the unauthorized retelling of her exploitation.


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The eight-part series revisited the nonconsensual distribution of Pamela and Tommy’s stolen sex tape in the 1990s, and was made without the approval of the real-life people who were involved in the historic crime.

Courtney Love was among Pamela’s friends to speak out against the series, revealing that it had uprooted “complex trauma” for the Baywatch actor. One source said that Pamela felt “violated to this day” over the sex tape.

Another told Entertainment Tonight: “The upcoming Pam & Tommy Hulu series has been very painful for Pamela Anderson and for anyone that loves her. It is shocking that this series is allowed to happen without her approval.”


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As a result, people were understandably outraged by the stark irony of Hulu not getting consent from Pamela before they retold the story of her nonconsensual sex tape.

The show was thought of as a sign of “history repeating itself,” and its creators were called out for seemingly attempting to “profit” from Pamela and Tommy’s exploitation a second time around.

As it aired, Pamela’s lack of approval left a sour taste in viewers’ mouths despite Pam & Tommy ultimately being praised for highlighting the misogyny that Pamela faced as a result of the leak.


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Series executive producer D.V. DeVincentis previously told Variety: “With Pamela Anderson, what I always come back to is that [she and Tommy] were doing the exact same thing. And filmed doing the exact same thing together.”

“One of them was slut-shamed and virtually drummed out of the business and turned into an unserious person,” DeVincentis said of Pamela’s experience. “The other was given a new act and turned into this sex god. And the only difference between these two people [was] their gender. That’s it.”

Pamela has not explicitly spoken about the show, but she appeared to confirm that she was not on board with the concept when she shared a brief statement on her Instagram page back in March, shortly before the penultimate episode of Pam & Tommy aired.


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In the post, Pamela announced that she was working with Netflix to make a documentary about her life, which vowed to tell her “real story.”


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In a handwritten note, Pamela told fans: “My life. A thousand imperfections. A million misperceptions. Wicked, wild and lost. Nothing to live up to. I can only surprise you. Not a victim, but a survivor. And alive to tell the real story.”

While a launch date is yet to be announced, Pamela’s documentary is expected to be released on the streaming giant before the end of the year.


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Fans took Pamela’s statement as evidence that she did not approve of Pam & Tommy in any way, so they were baffled when they noticed that Sebastian Stan had tagged her in an Instagram post about the show’s Emmy success on Tuesday.


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Sebastian penned a lengthy statement on his social media page, which began: “So grateful and thrilled to be a part of this EPIC PAM AND TOMMY recognition!!!”

He then thanked the series’ showrunner, directors, hair and makeup team, and costumers before giving his costar, Lily James, a shoutout. “My partner till the end of the line,” he said of Lily. “I was blessed to be opposite you, couldn’t have, wouldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for holding my hand on this journey!”

And the final part of Sebastian’s statement sparked backlash from readers, with the actor writing: “#PAMANDTOMMY is about a crime that took place without Consent. It was a crime on privacy, a crime on love, a crime on family, and a crime that we were ALL a culprit of, as media and audience combined, and it’s now more timely than ever.”

“I hope this can only help continue the conversation we had hoped to bring to light,” Sebastian went on. “And that we can remember to re-examine our projections and our salacious attitudes not only towards @pamelaanderson and @tommylee but also towards ourselves and our exploitation of one another. SEE YOU AT THE EMMYS!!!”

A screenshot of the post was shared to a Reddit forum, and the actor’s decision to tag Pamela in the post quickly came under scrutiny — as did his comment about everybody being “a culprit” of the original crime.

“Funny how my ‘salacious attitude’ didn’t make me star in a show further exploiting Pam, who explicitly stated she was not for this production. Tone deaf moronic asshole,” one person wrote.

“He also tagged Pamela Anderson who allegedly finds reliving this traumatic,” someone else added. “Also, mind you, this show introduced a whole new generation of people to look up that sex tape. So, in short, they’re complicit. That’s their contribution to the conversation.”

“He has quite the balls to speak about consent, something Pamela did not give to this show,” another mused. Someone else commented: “Poor Pamela. He actually tagged her. Wtf.” One person replied: “For real, that was actually a nasty thing to do.”

Others referenced the fact that Sebastian admitted that he’d watched Pamela and Tommy’s sex tape as “research” during an appearance on British daytime show This Morning.


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Host Josie Gibson asked Sebastian and Lily if they’d seen the tape themselves, to which Sebastian said: “Well, it was research. I think the job as an actor is to find as much as you can possibly find on the people you’re playing.”

“And he watched the tape for ‘research’ but sure Seb, tell yourself we’re all to blame,” one Reddit user said of his Instagram post. Someone else wrote: “Knowing he watched the tape for ‘research purposes’ when one of the victims finds it traumatic, it’s vile coming from him.”

“No, I’m not [a culprit],” one more said. “I didn’t steal the tape. I’ve never watched the tape. And I certainly never made a show about the tape so that I could get nominated for an Emmy.”

“Oh my god he’s talking about consent while celebrating a nomination for a show made without the victim’s consent and the scary part is he really thinks he’s doing something grand!! Disturbing,” another user echoed.

Sebastian is yet to respond to the backlash, and BuzzFeed News has contacted his representative for comment.

Pamela has not acknowledged Sebastian’s post or Pam & Tommy’s Emmy nominations.



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SPOILER: Pam and Tommy’s marriage takes a devastating turn after discovering tape theft

Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s marriage took a devastating turn, after learning they’d suffered a miscarriage in episode four of the Hulu drama.

Over three episodes after their saucy tape was stolen, the couple finally discover the robbery after celebrating their pregnancy, enlisting the help of a private investigator and even a gang of bikers to get it back.

But it already seems that the mass distribution of the tape may be beyond the couple’s reach, as Rande Gauthier learns that Miltie has been cashing in by selling it beyond their original mail order plan. 

Emotional: Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s marriage took a devastating turn, after learning they’d suffered a miscarriage in episode four of the Hulu drama

After episode three concluded with Pam discovering that she was expecting her first child, this week’s begins in 1996, with the slow and steady spread of the infamous sex tape as Rand Gauthier begin to sell it worldwide.

Eager fans part with their hard-earned cash, and a few details on a fax machine, with one over-excited viewer stocking up on tissues and lotion as he prepares to watch the action unfold.

Unaware their private life is spreading across the States, Pamela and Tommy are thrilled to meet their ‘little peanut’ for the first time.

Exposed: As the couple finally learn of their stolen tape, Rande Gauthier is forced to flee for his life from a biker gang, as the distribution of the sorded video spirals out of control

Selling out! The episode begins with the slow and steady spread of the infamous sex tape as Rand begin to sell it worldwide

Excited: Unaware their private life is spreading across the States, a pregnant Pamela and Tommy are thrilled to meet their ‘little peanut’ for the first time

While Rande once again refuses to divorce his porn star ex-wife Erica, he’s intrigued by a visiting salesman, pornographer Seth Warshavsky, who tries to plug webcams as ‘the future of porn.’ 

Noting his preference for a classic video, Rande tells him: ‘The image quality is awful, they take forever to load. If I’m a guy looking to rub one out am I going to wait half an hour for some choppy grainy video to load when I can jack off in seconds?’ 

But, Rande is quick to note he’d be open to exploring the world of web in the future, telling Seth: ‘I am currently harnessing a power of the web in a way that has never been done before.’

Unlikely partnership: While Rande once again refuses to divorce his porn star ex-wife Erica, he’s intrigued by a visiting salesman, pornographer Seth Warshavsky

Worried: Meanwhile, three episodes after it was first taken, Pamela and Tommy finally discover their safe was stolen, with the actress visible shaken that their tape has been taken

It’s fine! It’s clear that Pamela is more unnerved about their missing tape, candidly confessing she feels ‘violated’, even when Tommy reassures her that ‘no one has Hi8’

Meanwhile, three episodes after it was first taken, Pamela and Tommy finally discover their safe was stolen, and while he is more focused on his stolen weapons and jewellery, his wife is stunned to learn that their precious tape has been taken.

The police insist they’ll ‘keep their ears open,’ Tommy is furious to learn it’s unlikely their items will be returned, shouting: ‘I pay more f****g taxes, that I could own your f****g precinct.’

It’s clear that Pamela is more unnerved about their missing tape, candidly confessing she feels ‘violated’, even when Tommy reassures her that ‘no one has Hi8,’ and vows to hire private investigator Anthony Pellicano to get it back.

Need some help? The couple enlist private investigator Anthony Pellicano to get the tape back, and he quickly locates Rande and confronts him

Well that’s agile working! A terrified Rande calls Miltie for help, but after getting a voicemail, it’s revealed he’s somewhat occupied by his female companions

Tommy confesses he has a long list of stars he’s had ‘beef’ with, including Mick Rourke and ‘a****e’ John Stamos, before referring to an upset builder who he failed to pay, sparking a panicked reaction from his wife.

Pellicano quickly heads to Rande’s house to demand he return the tape, warning, ‘what I did to that record I’m will do to your fat, stupid face’ before fleeing to avoid a disgruntled neighbour.

A terrified Rande calls Miltie for help, but after getting a voicemail, it’s revealed he’s somewhat occupied by his female companions, and his new massage chair.

Furious: After Rande desperately tries to track down the tape, he finds a man selling bootleg versions outside a record store

‘Chill out!’ He berates him for profiting of his ‘considerable time and labour,’ he demands he closes down the stall

Tough: Despite being clearly unnerved at the tape’s release, Pamela paints on a smile as she heads to filming on Baywatch

After Rande desperately tries to track down the tape, he finds a man selling bootleg versions outside a record store, and berates him for profiting of his ‘considerable time and labour,’ he demands he closes down the stall.

The man isn’t fazed simple responding: ‘F**k your mother.’ 

Pellicano reassures Pamela and Tommy that he’ll be able to get the tape back, to the couple’s elation.

Despite being clearly unnerved at the tape’s release, Pamela paints on a smile as she heads to filming on Baywatch, but quickly discovers members of the show’s crew watching her video on the set.

Humiliated: She quickly discovers members of the show’s crew watching her video on the set, telling Tommy she was ‘humiliated’

Rushing back to Tommy’s recording studio, she reveals Rande has been selling copies of the video, tearfully telling her husband: ‘Do you have any idea how humiliating it was?’

Baffled how they can access the video online, Tommy and Pamela are forced to visit a local library and, with painstakingly slow internet, attempt to search for the web page where their tape is available, and are stunned as it slowly appears on the screen.

A hysterical Pamela runs away in tears as Pellicano reveals Rande has been selling the tape across California, before dusting off the Yellow Pages so Tommy can track him down.

No broadband here! Baffled how they can access the video, Tommy and Pamela are forced to visit a library and, with painstakingly slow internet, attempt to search for the web page

Bombshell: The couple struggle to hide their shock as the web page slowly appears on the screen with their tape for all to see

Enlisting the help of a biker gang, Rande flees in terror as the leather-clad thugs try and find him at Miltie’s office, before rushing back to his house.

Miltie confesses that the location of the tape was ‘compromised,’ which may have led to its mass distribution, before sending Rand on his way so he can get back to ‘his bunnies.’

While Tommy tries to reassure Pamela that they’ll track down the tape, his hysterical wife insists it’s ‘so much worse’ for her ‘because she’s a woman,’ after Tommy claims she cares more ‘because of her career.’

Noting the general view towards women when it comes to racy clips, she tells him: ‘They’ll be high-fiving you in the street, I’m going to get looked at like a s**t by the whole world.’ 

Clashing: While Tommy tries to reassure Pamela that they’ll track down the tape, his hysterical wife insists it’s ‘so much worse’ for her ‘because she’s a woman’

Worried: While Rande continues to try and escape from Pellicano, Pamela suddenly begins to suffer stomach pains, leaving her fearing for the wellbeing of her unborn baby

Emotional: In a scene free of dialogue, the devastated couple learn they’ve suffered a miscarriage

Tommy hits back: ‘It’s not like they’re not seeing anything they haven’t seen before,’ before she kicks him out in a fit of rage.

While Rande continues to try and escape from Pellicano, Pamela suddenly begins to suffer stomach pains, leaving her fearing for the wellbeing of her unborn baby, and Tommy quickly drives her to the hospital.

In a scene free of dialogue, the devastated couple learn they’ve suffered a miscarriage, and are quickly dogged by paparazzi as they leave the hospital.

Fleeing? Miltie tells Rande he’s heading to Amsterdam for a few days, eagerly asking the air attendant for the ‘cocktail list’

Upsetting: Tommy attempts to comfort his wife as they drive home after their loss, but are quickly flanked by a photographer

Raging: A grieving Pamela lashes out, violently smashing the photographer’s windscreen with a hammer

Miltie tells Rande he’s heading to Amsterdam for a few days, eagerly asking the air attendant for the ‘cocktail list’ and he’s once again forced to flee to avoid the biker gang, seeking refuge with Erica.

The distraught couple lash out at a photographer who tries to snap them at a stoplight, with the episode concluding on a sombre note as Tommy carries his sobbing wife home…

After the first episodes were released, they were greeted with a lukewarm reception, with critics praising Lily and Sebastian’s individual performances, while lambasting the series’ inconsistent tone. 

The flashing through time appeared to be an issue for critics while others were less than pleased with the show not receiving clearance from the couple in real life. 

Pam & Tommy is available on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in Europe.

Heartbreaking: The episode concludes on an unexpectedly sombre note as Tommy carries his sobbing wife home

Pam & Tommy: The Reviews

INDEPENDENT 

Rating:

Ed Cumming writes: ‘Yet while Pam & Tommy sometimes plays it seriously, most of the time it is content to stick to the laughs. An overlong heist scene, in which Gauthier contrives to steal Lee’s safe as “karma” for unpaid wages, might have come out of another Rogen film altogether. Pineapple Express, perhaps. This isn’t really Pam & Tommy – it’s Rand. He might be a more relatable figure, but nobody ever went to Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee for relatability.

DAILY MAIL 

Rating:

Jan Moir writes: ‘There can only ever be one Pamela Anderson, but Lily James does a tremendous job of playing her in this eight-part mini-series… Pam & Tommy gets more sombre and serious as it progresses but, to be honest, it works best when it is being blackly comic – that’s if you are prepared to go along with the full frontals, the sex and the rose-tinted depictions of their deep lurve for each other… If Pam & Tommy is so committed to exposing the ‘harm’ that the sex tape scandal did to Pamela Anderson all those years ago, doesn’t this rehash simply dredge it all up again?’

THE GUARDIAN 

Rating:

Lucy Mangan writes: ‘The sight of the 90s image of Anderson, and the scandal being reconsidered in line with modern and more enlightened mores (imperfect though they still are) is a welcome one. But, this is undermined by the fact that the whole enterprise has been undertaken without her approval. Ironically, it is the very alertness and compassion of the thing that – assuming she saw the script or was given an idea of the tone – makes you think how very much she must have wanted, whatever the take on it was to be, the entire subject to be left alone’

VULTURE 

Kathryn VanArendonk writes: ‘The tone and construction of Pam & Tommy has a playfulness that makes a good match for the early days of its subjects. They seem incredibly in love and also adorably naïve, and it’s conveyed well in scenes like the one where Pam makes Tommy watch The King and I, or one particularly notable exchange between Tommy and his own animatronic c**k (voiced by Jason Mantzoukas!)…

‘The series does, however, fall into a trap that many, many shows now do too frequently, by bouncing around back and forth through time. First it’s Rand’s perspective on Tommy; then it’s Pam and Tommy’s origin story; then back to the early days of the marriage; and then later, back once again to the start of Pamela’s career…

‘It’s a frustrating narrative tic, but there is one meaningful effect for Pam & Tommy: Because it begins with Rand, it also begins with the worst of Tommy, scenes where he is emotionally horrible and physically violent to people doing their very best to please him. All the other hop-skipping time jumps are frustrating, but this choice has real weight.’

CHICAGO SUN TIMES 

Richard Roeper writes: “Pam & Tommy” keeps reminding us the couple was the victim of multiple crimes: first, the burglary of their possessions, and then the widespread distribution of that tape by a series of exploitative hustlers and criminals. Thanks to James’ empathetic performance, we feel for Pamela, who has to keep reminding people — mostly men — that there’s a huge difference between making the decision to pose nude for a magazine and being exposed in a private honeymoon tape that was never intended for public consumption… We just spend too much time on meandering subplots, and too much time enduring Tommy Lee’s increasingly insufferable antics.’

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Tommy’s Country Ham House to close after more than 30 years in business

Tommy’s Country Ham House in Greenville will close its doors this spring, after more than 30 years in business.According to a release from the restaurant, owner Tommy Stevenson is retiring, and the property has been purchased by a Charleston-based restaurant group with plans to remodel the existing building for a new dining concept to open in early 2022.(Video Above: Tommy’s Country Ham House celebrates 30th anniversary)”This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made,” said Stevenson. “The Country Ham House has been my life. This year I’ll be 80 and I want to spend more time with my children and grandchildren.”Originally located on Buncombe Street, Stevenson purchased the restaurant in 1985. It moved to its current location on Rutherford Street in 1997.Along with regular diners, Tommy’s has been known as a frequent stop for stumping politicians, and photos of visitors line the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.””Family aside, the Country Ham House has been my life’s great reward. Operating a restaurant is no easy task, but the satisfaction comes when the dining room is full of folks who say how much they enjoyed their meal and appreciate us being there. That’s made 36 years of early morning wake-ups worth it,” Stevenson said.In 2018, Stevenson was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, awarded to citizens of South Carolina.

Tommy’s Country Ham House in Greenville will close its doors this spring, after more than 30 years in business.

According to a release from the restaurant, owner Tommy Stevenson is retiring, and the property has been purchased by a Charleston-based restaurant group with plans to remodel the existing building for a new dining concept to open in early 2022.

(Video Above: Tommy’s Country Ham House celebrates 30th anniversary)

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made,” said Stevenson. “The Country Ham House has been my life. This year I’ll be 80 and I want to spend more time with my children and grandchildren.”

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Originally located on Buncombe Street, Stevenson purchased the restaurant in 1985.

It moved to its current location on Rutherford Street in 1997.

Along with regular diners, Tommy’s has been known as a frequent stop for stumping politicians, and photos of visitors line the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.”

“Family aside, the Country Ham House has been my life’s great reward. Operating a restaurant is no easy task, but the satisfaction comes when the dining room is full of folks who say how much they enjoyed their meal and appreciate us being there. That’s made 36 years of early morning wake-ups worth it,” Stevenson said.

In 2018, Stevenson was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, awarded to citizens of South Carolina.

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