On New Year’s Eve of a year that saw so many affected by sexual misconduct allegations and scandals,CommunityandRick and Mortycreator Dan Harmon sent out a tweet that revealed 2017 was the “Year of the Asshole,” adding that statement included himself. That ultimately lead to formerCommunitywriter Megan Ganz calling out her former boss, which in turn lead to Dan Harmon apologizing to Megan Ganz for his own inappropriate behavior, during her tenure on the NBC sitcom. While there weren’t many specifics about the incident, Dan Harmon revealed he discussed hisinappropriate behaviorduring an episode of his Harmontown podcast, although he didn’t offer any specifics.
The entire thread started after Megan Ganz responded to Dan Harmon’s New Year’s Eve tweet, asking her formerCommunityboss if he would, “Care to be more specific? Redemption follows allocution.” Dan Harmon later responded that he didn’t want to reveal the writer’s identity without permission, while apologizing for his actions. While he didn’t offer any specifics, again, he did admit to hisabuse of powerwhile serving as the showrunner/creator ofCommunity. Here’s what he had to say in his initial response to Megan Ganz below.
“Was just shown this. And a previous sub tweet I think was about me. I didn’t want to add narcissism to injury by naming you without permission, but I’ve talked on my podcast about the lines I crossed. I will talk about it more in any way that you think is just. I am deeply sorry. i’m filled with regret and a lot of foggy memories about abusing my position, treating you like garbage. I would feel a lot of relief if you told me there was a way to fix it. I’ll let you call the shots. Til then, at least know I know I was an awful boss and a selfish baby.”
While it’s unclear if there was anysexual harassmentthat happened, since both Dan Harmon and Megan Ganz kept their public Twitter conversation on a rather professional level, Megan Ganz revealed that what she endured from Dan Harmon resulted in years of self-doubt, hinting that at some point, either Dan Harmon, or one of her other showrunners afterCommunity, asked her for her phone number. Here’s what Megan Ganz had to say in response to Dan Harmon’s apology for hisabusive behavior.
“I wish my memories were foggier. I wish there was a way to fix it. It took me years to believe in my talents again, to trust a boss when he complimented me and not cringe when he asked for my number. I was afraid to be enthusiastic, knowing it might be turned against me later. You want relief? So do I. I want to watch the first episode of television I wrote again without remembering what came after. Figure out how to give me that relief and I’ll return the favor.”
Megan Ganz started her writing career on Comedy Central’sImportant Things with Demetri Martin, before moving on to NBC’sCommunityin 2010. She wrote six episodes of the show and also served as a producer and executive story editor, before leaving the show in 2013 to join ABC’s sitcom hitModern Family. She served as a writer, supervising producer and co-executive producer of that show from 2013 to 2015. She has most recently written and produced for FXX’sIt’s Always Sunny in Phildadelphiaand Fox’sThe Last Man on Earth. You can take a look at the entire exchange below that started onDan Harmon Twitteron New Year’s Eve.
