Silicon Valley Actress Says HBO, Cast Enabled “Petulant Brat” T.J. Miller

Silicon Valley Actress Says HBO, Cast Enabled “Petulant Brat” T.J. Miller

Despite having been deemed too problematic to play mucus in a commercial, T.J. Millers career appear..

Despite having been deemed too problematic to play mucus in a commercial, T.J. Millers career appears to be be quietly on the mend, at least in certain comedy circles—and actress Alice Wetterlund, who starred alongside Miller on two seasons of Silicon Valley, is not thrilled. Miller recently appeared on Kurt Braunohler and Kristen Schaals Los Angeles comedy show “Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen,” and also stopped by Doug Bensons Doug Loves Movies podcast on July 8—prompting an outcry from comedy fans on Twitter, who noted that last year Miller was accused of sexual assault. Just months ago, he was arrested for allegedly calling in a phony bomb threat on an Amtrak train. (Miller did not respond to V.F.s request for comment at the time.)

In a Twitter thread, Wetterlund responded sarcastically to her onetime co-stars apparent resurgence: “Yes! It is definitely time to rehabilitate TJ Millers career! We cant afford to lose talent at a time like this, we need more—not less—comedic hijinks such as checks notes calling in a fake bomb threat.” She also accused those in power on her old show of enabling Miller before he left Silicon Valley.

“TJ Miller was a bully and petulant brat and pretty much everyone who had any power on that (almost all male) set, including the male cast members, enabled him and were complicit in his unprofessionalism,” Wetterlund wrote. “They can fuck off forever.”

She added, “Im pretty open about this, and I dont know if other women on the show had a different experience than me, but it was kind of a nightmare.” When asked why she stayed with the series despite the alleged behavior from Miller and those who enabled him, Wetterlund said, “One, I needed the job, two, it was my first recurring role and I had no idea it wasnt always toxic and weird. Now I know!” She concluded by saying, “I dont know how to talk about this yet in a way that doesnt muddy the waters of #MeToo but DOES help people understand and do better.”

When reached for comment by The Hollywood Reporter, HBO responded with a statement: “While this is the first time we have heard Alice Wetterlund comment on her experiences on Silicon Valley, we are disappointed to learn of her concerns. HBO and the producers have always taken very seriously our responsibility to create a welcoming and congenial environment for everyone who works on the show.”

Miller left Silicon Valley months before the assault allegation against him broke. (In December 2017, a woman who studied at George Washington University at the same time as Miller accused him of sexual assault; in a joint statement to V.F. at the time, Miller and his wife, Kate, wrote, “We are confident that a full consideration of accounts from and since that time will shed light and clarity on the true nature of not only this persons character, and also on the real facts of the matter.” ) After a season finale that appeared to be writing Millers character, Erlich Bachman, out of the show by stranding him in an opium den, the actor gave a wildly candid interview, in which he not only torched the series, but also insulted the lead actor in its ensemble, Thomas Middleditch, and executive producer Alec Berg.

Perhaps it comes as no surprise that some of the shows cast and crew have not been shy about detailing Millers alleged behavior, including showing up late and falling asleep on set. Anonymous sources have also spoken vaguely about the actors “demons”—though evidently, some in the comedy world have decided to look past them.

Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Laura BradleyLaura Bradley is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.

CATEGORIES
Share This