The Charmed drama continues apace
When we last left off, Shannen Doherty was claiming Alyssa Milano had gotten her fired from Charmed all those years ago and Alyssa basically reacted by saying "that makes me feel bad." Now Holly Marie Combs has weighed in:
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[text]In the spirit of not being the quiet one or the middle child anymore, I feel the need to defend myself after the many continuing attacks that have ensued since Alyssa stepped out on the stage and essentially called Shannen and I liars, when she was simply asked what it was like to work with Rose. Suffice to say I'm a little shocked and disappointed especially by the things she posted the next day while texting me simultaneously words to the contrary. Sadly that's not a surprising anymore [sic].
But I was raised to be a fighter. I do not need anyone to defend my honor but me. First off, this is not revisionist history. This is just the history she didn't want people to know about. And the history Shannen wasn't ready to talk about until one month ago. We are at that age where people are writing books, memoirs and telling their life story. No one should have to lie about their own life for the comfort of another. Although I have long wanted the girls to get along for the sake of something bigger than all of us combined it was not in the cards. We are all equally different and headstrong which was the essence of Charmed to begin with. I often yelled at one or the other to lay off the other many a time as Alyssa and Rose can attest to. And this was after Charmed. Being the middle child sucks.
And it was in the interest of family that I tried to shield the audience to protect something that did indeed and still does have a heartbeat of it's [sic] own. Case in point when Shannen and I went to dinner in Florida this week and the host wanted to tell us how the show saved his life. That the show actually helped him get through a very dark time in his life. It's people like him that make all the blood, sweat and many tears very much worth it for me still to this day and this hour. It’s stories like his that made me not want to address this story. But alas it’s not my nature to cower in a corner. And I have a big problem with injustice. I heard that Alyssa said she did not have the power to fire anyone which is ironic because this was actually all about power. But let's go with that and explain what she had the power to do. She had the power the stop the process at any time. She had the power to not talk to the mediator/therapist brought on to protect profits. As I refused to speak to him because I go to work to do my job not to talk about my feelings with a strange man. No other cast member was interviewed to my knowledge. Or crew. And frankly the only other regular characters we had at the time in question were Brian and Julian who were both dating one or the other so I doubt their testimonials would be valid in any case. But there was a case being built which is now clear. A case Alyssa and Alyssa alone had the power to stop. And when the producers said ok we will let Shannen go Alyssa also had the power to say no I don't want that. But she did not. She had the power to say no, just as Shannen had said, 'No, I don't want you to replace Alyssa,' when posed with the same option. Because she was a child actor who supported a family just as Alyssa does and understood the great importance and responsibility of that.
Even now this pains me to write. It was heartbreaking then and still now. And I think a lot of the blame still remains with the producers who knew it was easier to keep us divided as opposed to united. 3 broken pieces were easier to control and manipulate than one united front. Which would have been more costly and cut into their precious profit margin. But in the end it all worked out as destiny would have it. And we got Rose who was a beacon in a dark time for me and we went on to develop a deep surprising and supportive connection that continues to this day just as Paige and Piper did. And now Rose and Shannen have a growing friendship and support system all their own which makes my little black heart glow. It's a full circle moment for me. So I will say don't despair Charmed family. You are actually our only common denominator. We are still a family of survivors and we always will be. Truly. Charmed was made for all of you and lastly the truth of the matter is we all are, despite our differences, incredibly grateful for this dysfunctional family in every way. The End.
And Rose McGowan commented:
[text]I love your big black heart and respect you, HMC. I love what the show has meant to people worldwide. Sometimes a mess has to be made for things to be cleaned up. This for me is way bigger than a tv show, it goes to years of continuous behind the scenes character assassination and targeted reputation smearing because of narcissistic pathological jealousy. I wish none of it had to be this way. I remain proud of everyone involved for the magic we wove and the magic created worldwide. Truth is uncomfortable, but magic never dies ❤️
source
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Holly Combs (@thehmc)
[text]In the spirit of not being the quiet one or the middle child anymore, I feel the need to defend myself after the many continuing attacks that have ensued since Alyssa stepped out on the stage and essentially called Shannen and I liars, when she was simply asked what it was like to work with Rose. Suffice to say I'm a little shocked and disappointed especially by the things she posted the next day while texting me simultaneously words to the contrary. Sadly that's not a surprising anymore [sic].
But I was raised to be a fighter. I do not need anyone to defend my honor but me. First off, this is not revisionist history. This is just the history she didn't want people to know about. And the history Shannen wasn't ready to talk about until one month ago. We are at that age where people are writing books, memoirs and telling their life story. No one should have to lie about their own life for the comfort of another. Although I have long wanted the girls to get along for the sake of something bigger than all of us combined it was not in the cards. We are all equally different and headstrong which was the essence of Charmed to begin with. I often yelled at one or the other to lay off the other many a time as Alyssa and Rose can attest to. And this was after Charmed. Being the middle child sucks.
And it was in the interest of family that I tried to shield the audience to protect something that did indeed and still does have a heartbeat of it's [sic] own. Case in point when Shannen and I went to dinner in Florida this week and the host wanted to tell us how the show saved his life. That the show actually helped him get through a very dark time in his life. It's people like him that make all the blood, sweat and many tears very much worth it for me still to this day and this hour. It’s stories like his that made me not want to address this story. But alas it’s not my nature to cower in a corner. And I have a big problem with injustice. I heard that Alyssa said she did not have the power to fire anyone which is ironic because this was actually all about power. But let's go with that and explain what she had the power to do. She had the power the stop the process at any time. She had the power to not talk to the mediator/therapist brought on to protect profits. As I refused to speak to him because I go to work to do my job not to talk about my feelings with a strange man. No other cast member was interviewed to my knowledge. Or crew. And frankly the only other regular characters we had at the time in question were Brian and Julian who were both dating one or the other so I doubt their testimonials would be valid in any case. But there was a case being built which is now clear. A case Alyssa and Alyssa alone had the power to stop. And when the producers said ok we will let Shannen go Alyssa also had the power to say no I don't want that. But she did not. She had the power to say no, just as Shannen had said, 'No, I don't want you to replace Alyssa,' when posed with the same option. Because she was a child actor who supported a family just as Alyssa does and understood the great importance and responsibility of that.
Even now this pains me to write. It was heartbreaking then and still now. And I think a lot of the blame still remains with the producers who knew it was easier to keep us divided as opposed to united. 3 broken pieces were easier to control and manipulate than one united front. Which would have been more costly and cut into their precious profit margin. But in the end it all worked out as destiny would have it. And we got Rose who was a beacon in a dark time for me and we went on to develop a deep surprising and supportive connection that continues to this day just as Paige and Piper did. And now Rose and Shannen have a growing friendship and support system all their own which makes my little black heart glow. It's a full circle moment for me. So I will say don't despair Charmed family. You are actually our only common denominator. We are still a family of survivors and we always will be. Truly. Charmed was made for all of you and lastly the truth of the matter is we all are, despite our differences, incredibly grateful for this dysfunctional family in every way. The End.
And Rose McGowan commented:
[text]I love your big black heart and respect you, HMC. I love what the show has meant to people worldwide. Sometimes a mess has to be made for things to be cleaned up. This for me is way bigger than a tv show, it goes to years of continuous behind the scenes character assassination and targeted reputation smearing because of narcissistic pathological jealousy. I wish none of it had to be this way. I remain proud of everyone involved for the magic we wove and the magic created worldwide. Truth is uncomfortable, but magic never dies ❤️
source