So what happens next for celebrity suck-up artist Billy Bush? By now we’ve all seen the video, we’ve all wagged a judgmental finger at his smarminess, his titillated laughter, his hug demands. His chortle session with self-proclaimed lady-grabber Donald Trump won’t be good for his career in the short-term. The host of the “Today” show’s third hour has been suspended, and reports suggest his punishment will be permanent.
But if history tells us anything, it’s that guys like Bush usually get another shot. Is that fair? Maybe not, but no matter how much certain displays of sleaziness may shock the pundits of social media, the public is surprisingly forgiving. Bush isn’t the first celebrity to make a very high-profile gaffe, and he won’t be the last to rise from the ashes of his own self-immolated reputation.
Public forgiveness is a complicated matrix that hinges on many factors, from the number and magnitude of the offense to the perceived authenticity of a celebrity’s ceremonial apology. How it works, exactly, is a mystery — although here are some lessons we’ve learned from Bill Cosby, Johnny Depp, Mel Gibson, Nate Parker and so many other celebrities who have ventured into infamy.
1. The number of transgressions matters
A single misdeed can be explained away, especially when the person responsible has built up years of good will. Amber Heard accused Johnny Depp of physical abuse, but his previous partners haven’t reported the same treatment, so some fans have rationalized that she made it all up. Despite troubling photos of her bruised face, Depp doesn’t seem to have lost any jobs.