Day two of the Danny Masterson prelim: Jane Doe 1’s cross-examination continues

[Judge Olmedo, and Danny Masterson at his Sept 18 appearance]

News organizations normally have a policy of not naming sexual assault victims in their stories. For some reason, however, some of the media outlets covering yesterday’s preliminary hearing in the Danny Masterson rape case chose to ignore this policy, and they used the abbreviated version of Jane Doe 1’s actual name which the judge and attorneys called her by in court.

Continue reading Day two of the Danny Masterson prelim: Jane Doe 1’s cross-examination continues

Jane Doe 1’s brutal testimony about alleged rape by Danny Masterson on Day 1 of prelim

[UPDATE: See our reports from the courtroom below, after the victim descriptions.]

We’re on the scene this morning in Los Angeles, bringing you coverage at Los Angeles Superior Court as Danny Masterson faces a preliminary hearing on charges that he raped three different women.

Continue reading Jane Doe 1’s brutal testimony about alleged rape by Danny Masterson on Day 1 of prelim

Scientology hits on the perfect theme for its Chicago fundraising: Blues Brothers!

Scientology is always hunting around for new themes to use in its fundraising, from Star Wars to The Last Samurai. And we didn’t think it could get more on-the-nose than Caribbean pirates and 30’s gangsters asking for your dough.

Hand over yer booty, me lovelies!

Continue reading Scientology hits on the perfect theme for its Chicago fundraising: Blues Brothers!

Inside a PR mutiny: How Scientology’s war on Prozac backfired in spectacular fashion

(A note from Chris: Many thanks to the benefactors whose generosity has been essential in covering the cost of the research subscriptions that enabled me to write this article (and much more besides). If readers would like to help contribute towards further research, please see my Patreon page. Thank you for your continued support!)

Scientology’s public image has taken a beating in recent years with revelations of abuse at every level of the organization. It’s not the first time, however, that it’s had to deal with a shattered image. Thirty years ago this month in May 1991, its efforts to rebuild its reputation were derailed by the publication of Richard Behar’s classic exposé of Scientology, “The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power”.

Continue reading Inside a PR mutiny: How Scientology’s war on Prozac backfired in spectacular fashion

Scientology chiropractor Eric Berg called out by son in viral TikTok video

Last night, a man named Ian Rafalko posted a TikTok video which has quickly blown up, with more than 90,000 likes by this morning.

Continue reading Scientology chiropractor Eric Berg called out by son in viral TikTok video

Why is Scientology desperate for a tiny plot in Clearwater? Let us draw you a picture.

[Dave has a hole burning in his pocket.]

This week five secret proposals for Clearwater downtown development were made public by the city, and Tracey McManus gave a summary of them at the Tampa Bay Times.

Continue reading Why is Scientology desperate for a tiny plot in Clearwater? Let us draw you a picture.

Tom Cruise said he needed only an hour to sell Scientology: What would he do in that hour?

[Tom Cruise and Judd Apatow]

On Tuesday, we showed you a couple of pages from Seth Rogen’s new book which included a bizarre 2006 encounter with actor Tom Cruise. Among the strange things Cruise claimed, according to Rogen, was that he needed just an hour to convince Rogen and Judd Apatow that everything they thought they knew about Scientology was wrong.

Continue reading Tom Cruise said he needed only an hour to sell Scientology: What would he do in that hour?

Scientology’s Chicago Ideal Org says it’s next to open. Is Second City ready for its closeup?

It was just a couple of days ago that we posted mailers from Scientology which claimed that the new Austin Ideal Org would be the first to open now that the pandemic is ebbing.

Continue reading Scientology’s Chicago Ideal Org says it’s next to open. Is Second City ready for its closeup?

Seth Rogen: Tom Cruise claimed that Big Pharma is trying to make him look insane

The Tom Cruise revelations keep coming. On Twitter, journalist Yashar Ali posted a couple of pages taken from Seth Rogen’s new book which contain a wild anecdote about a conversation Rogen claims he had with the Top Gun actor.

Continue reading Seth Rogen: Tom Cruise claimed that Big Pharma is trying to make him look insane

Don’t congratulate Tom Cruise until he gives back the award that really matters

We learned yesterday that Tom Cruise joined a growing protest against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — the sketchy group behind the Golden Globes awards — by returning his three Globes trophies.

Continue reading Don’t congratulate Tom Cruise until he gives back the award that really matters

Search