(Greg Gayne / Netflix)
In response to multiple long-brewing sexual assault allegations levied against him, That ’70s Show veteran Danny Masterson will be written out of the third season of The Ranch TV show on Netflix. Deadline reports Netflix issued a statement confirming that Masterson’s last day on set was yesterday. Production on The Ranch will resume in the new year. As of now, the embattled actor will reportedly appear in those episodes already filmed. Now, the actor says he intends to clear his name of all charges.
Streaming on the Netflix paid subscription platform, The Ranch also stars Masterson’s former ’70s Show colleague, Ashton Kutcher, as well as Sam Elliot, Debra Winger, Grady Lee Richmond, Laura Vallejo, Elisha Cuthbert, Bret Harrison, and Kelli Goss. Set in Garrison, Colorado, this sitcom follows the dysfunctional Bennett family on their Iron River Ranch. Each season of 20 episodes is split into two 10-episode parts, and Netflix primarily ignores season numbering entirely, by using the sequential “part” numbers, instead.
Danny Masterson is firing back at Netflix after the streaming service announced it was dropping the actor from its series “The Ranch” following rape accusations made against him more than a decade ago.
“I am obviously very disappointed in Netflix’s decision to write my character off of ‘The Ranch,’” Masterson said in a statement to TheWrap. “From day one, I have denied the outrageous allegations against me. Law enforcement investigated these claims more than 15 years ago and determined them to be without merit. I have never been charged with a crime, let alone convicted of one. In this country, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
The actor continued, “However, in the current climate, it seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused. I understand and look forward to clearing my name once and for all. In the meantime, I want to express my gratitude to the cast and crew that I’ve worked so closely with over the past three seasons. I wish them nothing but success. I am also so thankful to the fans that have supported me and continue to do so.”
The Ranch, Part Four (i.e. season 2B) premieres on Netflix on December 15, 2017.
What do you think? Are you a fan of The Ranch TV series? Do you think it can survive without Masterson? Will you watch still watch it?
Unbelievable, he was accused 15 yrs ago!!!!!! Never proven!!!!! The chemistry between Masterson and Kutcher is fabulous!!!!! The show will NOT be the same!!!! I hope he figures out a way to come back to the show!!!! That’s the bottom line, he’s every bit as important as Ashton Kutcher!!!!
Not The Ranch without The Rooster! Every show I like winds up doing something stupid and gets canceled. Bring Rooster back, show is gonna suck without him.
I will probably stop watching “The Ranch”, I love all of the characters and Rooster(Danny Masterson) is as far as my husband and I are concerned is what makes us keep watching. He says things we think, but don’t say. No offense to Sam Elliot or Ashton but without Rooster, it just becomes a soap opera.
Netflix, may want to reconsider their decision.
One of the funniest men in the show is fired because of some allegations which were proven to be not merited over 10 years ago??? I’m going to have to give this some serious thought before I’ll even consider watching it any longer. Danny is/was great in the show and his character will certainly be missed!!! VERY poor decision on the part of the powers that be in my humble opinion!!
This is pretty crazy stuff to take out the funniest guy on the show. They all play off of him! It will destroy the best binge show out there! Is there something deeper? Because nothing has been proven against him! What if he were your son!
I do not understand why you would cancel Danny for a sexual assault that the law found there was no merit to the case. This sounds like the McCarthy trials where people were convicted and had their lives ruined by baseless accusations. We are supposed to be a nation based on innocent until proved guilty. You are declaring him guilty after he’s been found innocent. Who is making these ridiculous decisions?
As a man no matter what you’ve done, you are Guilty and even if you have money it is hard to get beyond any Allegation even if you are proven innocent! I know as I was fired for saying 5 potty mouth words after working for the same construction co for over 10 1/2 year’s. They hired a female co worker and after 7 day’s of working with her I was fired and I’ve been married over 43 year’s. Now I can’t find a job any where in the area I live in.
Leave Danny alone, this happened decades ago. He has grown up since the 70’s show.
Please keep Masterson–he rounds out the family.—Also please quit the
F- bombs We all love the show and eagerly await the next season.
I won’t watch without Danny Masterson on the show. He and Sam Elliott make the show great. Ashton Kutcher and Debra Winger make it suck. With Masterson gone, it won’t balance out anymore. I’m tired of these networks giving in to the alleged rape victims. I’m not saying he’s innocent, most likely he’s guilty, but he’s supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.
I 100% agree with you. I don’t won’t to watch the show without him on there.
I’m sorry, but all these people defending Danny Masterson and his phoning it in style of “comedy” are just so obviously part of a particular organization, it’s hilarious. No one’s buying it, guys! Time to pack up and move on!
What organization would that be? I’m just a nobody living my day to day and I really liked Danny.
In response to this, I cancelled Netflix. One aggravation to many from a service that loves to remind you how good it used to be.
Pffft, yeah right!
Not fair very diapointed in Netflix and I will no longer watch without Danny.
Absolutely not fair, not right, and simply another rash decision made by management. Whatever happened to due process? Good grief, did anyone at Netflix even look into his statement of innocence, or is this another case of shoot first, ask questions later? I am a survivor in the #metoo avalanche, and I am 100% behind the women who are coming forward with supported, multiple allegations against bona fide creeps. But I knew this might happen- a person’s life and career are destroyed by a single allegation that is without merit. I hope that Netflix will do their due diligence in… Read more »
it’s nice that you get to voice your opinion too bad these networks don’t read these comments.
I Love the Show, But I do NOT agree with Netflix’s Decision. They have him Guilty until proven innocent. I Hate that. It is a real bad trend now days and these guys are paying a heavy price, for these women to have their 15 minutes. It’s a sad deal now days because you don’t know who is telling the truth and who is not. I strongly believe in due process. I say wait until court is over and see what the outcome is then make your decision on firing him. Don’t just do it over allegations.
This show will never be the same without Danny! Too bad it was one of the “Best Comdy shows” Netflix ever put out! Season 5 already seemed to be way too serious not enough laughter as past seasons? It seemed like the writers were already in moaring for the “death” of future of the Ranch episodes? Too bad this show had the potential to go on for years to come with it’s growing “fan base”, Danny,Sam, and Ashton Made it impossible to continue to watch this show anymore without “Danny” (it was too darn good to ever ever have anyone… Read more »