Netflix fired the executive who made offhand Danny Masterson rape comments, and we applaud their zero tolerance policy

Here’s another reason to really love Netflix. Following some incredibly troubling rape comments made by one of their executives, Andy Yeatman, in regard to allegations against The Ranch star Danny Masterson, the streaming site has decided to let Yeatman go from the company. This is now the third person removed from their position at Netflix — whether in front of the camera or behind — following sexual allegations, and we applaud Netflix for refusing to let this misconduct stand.

For the past few years, Danny Masterson (who you probably know best from That ’70s Show) has been accused of sexual misconduct, including rape, with almost half a dozen accusers coming forward. Following the allegations, many called for his removal from his starring role in Netflix’s original series, The Ranch. The case is still ongoing with the LAPD, and these reasons alone are concerning. But for an uncomfortable extended period of time, he still continued working on The Ranch. 

A week ago, Yeatman was approached by a woman at a children’s soccer game. Unbeknownst to him, the woman who approached was one of Masterson accusers. When she brought up Masterson, he said that “we [Netflix] don’t believe” the accusers in what may be one of the most twisted and horrible things said at a children’s soccer game in recent memory. As you can imagine, there was immediate backlash and outcry, and though Yeatman apologized, the damage had been done.

Netflix immediately released a statement, explaining that Yeatman’s “comments were careless, uninformed and do not represent the views of the company.” Literally the next day, Masterson was let go from The Ranch. And now, Yeatman has been let go from Netflix, with the company simply stating, “Mr. Yeatman is no longer employed at Netflix.”

And this all follows Netflix’s almost immediate action to fire Kevin Spacey from House of Cards, and completely rewrite the final season to exclude him from the narrative. We can’t applaud the company enough for taking action against these men, and setting a clear example that actions — and even offhand comments — will not be tolerated.