2017 was an interesting year to say the least, and it seems that 2018 will continue this trend. As discussed through Consequence of Sound, ABC has decided to cancel the Rolling Stone 50th Anniversary Special as produced by Jann Wenner who has recently been accused of sexual misconduct by two separate people. Jann Wenner is the founder of the long standing and influential Rolling Stone Magazine. These are the first two allegations involving Wenner.
The special was set to air on the 7th of February and was a three-hour program paying tribute to Rolling Stone through many performances, short films, unheard of musical pairings, and iconic celebrities. An exciting night to say the least.
Publication company Done + Dusted was supposed to produce the 50th anniversary special alongside their parent company Wenner Media, but it looks as if that is no more. Jann Wenner has been a part of the program since their announcement about the special this past May. However, this past November, two separate parties have accused Wenner of alleged misconduct, allegedly offering them large contracts in exchange for alleged sexual favors. Consequence of Sound writes, “In November, journalist Ben Ryan accused Wenner of making a pass at him in 2005 and offering him a 25-article contract in exchange for sexual favors, while former Rolling Stone employee Jonathan Wells came forward with a similar experience last week.”
Rolling Stone was also recently purchased by Penske Media in the Fall of 2017 for $100 Million, what seems as a small purchase for such a large and influential company.