The television show “The View” aired an episode on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in which a controversy surrounding Hollywood’s history became an unexpected topic of conversation, sparking intense discussions among fans and critics.
The discussion panel was formed by Alyssa Farah Griffin, Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Joy Behar, and it delved into the allegations made by Sharon Stone concerning a past incident involving her co-star from the movie “Sliver,” Billy Baldwin.
The panelists engaged in a conversation about Stone’s allegations that she shared on The Louis Theroux Podcast. The actress claimed that Robert Evans, the late movie producer, had suggested she engage in sexual relations with Baldwin to better his acting in the 1993 film “Sliver.”
In the podcast, Stone, known for her roles in blockbusters like Basic Instinct, Total Recall, and Casino, recalled being summoned to Evan’s office from the set of “Sliver.” She described the late producer pacing his office with sunglasses on, bragging about his sexual history with iconic actress Ava Gardner. According to Stone, Evans believed that if she had a sexual relationship with Baldwin, their on-screen chemistry would be enhanced, thereby helping the movie. She summarized his rationale, arguing that off-screen intimacy could lead to improved on-screen performance. Stone emphasized that boosting Baldwin’s acting was vital for the film’s success, as his performance was perceived as a weak link.
In response to Stone’s allegations, Baldwin, known for his roles in “Backdraft” and “Flatliners,” took to social media to critique her. He also hinted at publishing a book that would reveal “disturbing, kinky, and unprofessional” stories about Stone.
Baldwin responded on Twitter: “Not sure why Sharon Stone keeps talking about me all these years later? Does she still have a crush on me or is she still hurt after all these years because I shunned her advances?”
The premise of Evans’ suggestion was deemed ridiculous by Joy Behar, who compared it to the absurd notion of having to decapitate a horse to convincingly portray a mobster in the film “The Godfather,” as if acting demanded such extreme measures.
Alyssa Farah Griffin voiced her disappointment in Stone for what she termed as “needlessly shaming” Baldwin, arguing that such public revelations do little more than rekindle old dramas. Goldberg echoed Griffin’s sentiment, questioning the need to dredge up the past incident and implying the redundancy of Stone’s comments.
Sara Haines commented on Stone’s critique of Baldwin’s acting skills in the same interview, suggesting a more subtle approach could have been used. Griffin then speculated that Baldwin’s acting might indeed be subpar, unfavorably comparing “Sliver” to the triumphant “Basic Instinct,” which starred Stone and Michael Douglas and did not require real-life romance for on-screen chemistry.
Whoopi Goldberg defended Baldwin, pointing out the unfair criticism he has faced from women over the years.
Sara Haines and Sunny Hostin added their views, suggesting that Stone’s decision to revisit the incident after so many years seemed more like an attempt to stay relevant than a constructive contribution to the conversation about Hollywood’s problematic history.
This discussion underscores the broader issues that the entertainment industry is grappling with, as it confronts its history of sexual misconduct and the power structures that have allowed such behavior to continue unchecked.
