Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Pioneer, Advocate, Intellectual, Legacy

Will Farrell and Paul Rudd in The Shrink Next Door Marty Markowitz and Isaac “Ike” Hershkopf were the subject of “The Shrink Next Door,” a wildly popular podcast by journalist Joe Nocera that was adapted into an AppleTV+ limited series starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd. As the story goes, Marty started seeing Ike as a patient in 1981 after losing his parents and becoming overwhelmed with running the family’s fabric company. After quickly gaining Marty’s unconditional trust, Ike spent the next 30 years alienating Marty from his entire family, taking “ownership” over Marty’s Hamptons home, controlling the day-to-day operations of Marty’s business, and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars. It wasn’t until Marty had hernia surgery that he realized Ike manipulated him and began cutting him out of his life. In 2021, after a long, ten-year battle to end Ike’s manipulative practices, Ike was forced to surrender his license to practice. Why isn’t Ike Hershkopf in prison? Since the above incident is a textbook case of undue influence, he probably should be. However, undue influence is a pliable legal term that is difficult to apply unless overwhelming evidence of a crime is present. Unfortunately, direct evidence of wrongdoing is often impossible to prove due to the tactics and secrecy enabled by the influencer over the victim. What is undue influence? Undue influence happens when a person’s decisions are hijacked or influenced by another, usually someone in a position of power or a trusted authority (such as a psychologist, caregiver, therapist, teacher, attorney, or an accountant), through coercion or manipulation for their own financial or social advantage. Undue influence targets the most vulnerable of populations, most commonly through psychological manipulation. It can come in all forms from small advertisements to cults and dictators seeking control over a population. And though some seasoned con artists may use their skills of affluence, position, and charm to manipulate someone to their will rather quickly, undue influence isn’t normally a short-term event. It generally takes months or years for the influencer to gain a strong foothold of trust with the victim. What are the signs of undue influence? Influencers perform their manipulation behind closed doors or when they are alone with their victim, so it can be hard for an outsider to witness direct manipulation. However, there are some signs to look for: Isolated from family and friends. The influencer has moved into the victim’s home or coerced them into paying for the influencer’s lifestyle. The influencer doesn’t allow the victim to speak directly to anyone, thus controlling the flow of information. The victim is dependent on the influencer to live their daily life. How can you fight undue influence? When confidential or fiduciary responsibilities are found alongside suspicious circumstances, burden of proof can be shifted to the influencer in many jurisdictions. If this happens, the influencer must now prove the victim did everything under their own volition. If you feel you’ve been victimized or know someone who may be victimized by undue influence, contact an attorney right away.

The media has always held a gleaming spotlight over the British royal family, literally from birth (hello Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor) to death (who doesn’t remember Princess Diana’s infamous car crash?). It’s so entertaining that whenever anything big or small happens, the world becomes fully engrossed. This has never been truer than over the last few weeks as it relates to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. As the high-profile celebrity couple bared a great number of behind-the-scenes tidbits during their highly-anticipated interview with Oprah, the media — and public — scrutiny burst into overdrive. Racism in the Royal Family Animosity arose after Meghan Markle accused the royal family of being racist. She noted that “They were saying they didn't want to be a prince or a princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol…. They said they want to change the convention for Archie.” She then added there were “concerns and conversations about how dark skin might be when he's born.” The royal family have all come out to denounce this accusation. “We are very much not a racist family,” Prince William stated. The Queen added, “Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.” Harry’s Royal Family Relationship It appears that Prince Harry’s relationship with his father and brother has also become strained. This could stem from Harry and Meghan’s decision to permanently leave their roles as working royals so as to pursue their own private business arrangements. Meghan’s Mental State as a Royal In one of the more shocking moments, Meghan revealed that she contemplated suicide while living as a royal. With the barrage of hateful attacks against her and Harry across social media when it was first revealed that the couple were officially dating, this is far from implausible, though some media figures would disagree. British TV host Piers Morgan attacked Meghan in the days following the interview by admitting he didn’t believe a word Meghan said in the entire interview. Soon after his remarks, Morgan left his perch as host when he wouldn’t apologize for his beliefs. On a Happier Note Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting a baby girl this summer! Regardless of whether anyone lied, or each side has a version of events that may have been exaggerated, Harry and Meghan have a lot to look forward to in the future, including, among other things, a production deal with Netflix. As for the British Royal family, the Queen, although disappointed that the couple have disavowed their place among the family, insists they are still loved and welcome as members of the royal family. Did Harry and Meghan go too far in the interview with Oprah? Who’s to say. When you’re in such a steady, unforgiving spotlight, there is a fine line to walk. All we know for sure is this won’t be the last time we hear from or of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The bad-boy persona; the sensitive soul; the smoldering eyes; and that hair. In 1990, Luke Perry quickly became the definition of heartthrob when he rose to stardom in the wildly popular television series Beverly Hills 90210 as broody teen Dylan McKay. (Little known fact: he originally auditioned for the role of Steve Sanders, which he lost to Ian Ziering.) What set Perry apart from many other rising stars at the time, though, was his innate humbleness. Born Coy Luther Perry III in 1966 to Ann and Coy Luther Jr. (and eventually raised by stepfather, Steve Bennett, to whom Perry attributes his kindness and respect), Perry’s small-town roots never allowed his idol status to go to his head. “I don’t change who I am for what I am doing,” he said in a 1992 interview. This sense of self was perhaps the reason for his longevity in the industry. Long after his pinup status faded upon his departure from the show half-way through its 10-year run, Perry still embraced the connection many fans held for the character that made him the envy of every teenage girl. “You know, it doesn't bother me,” he said in an interview with NBC News in 2012. “Always seems to me without one, probably wouldn't have had any of the other, you know? If not for 90210, the rest of the stuff may or may not have happened.” Known mostly for his roles on television, including guest stints on Criminal Minds, Will & Grace, The Simpsons, and Oz, as well as starring roles in Windfall, Jeremiah and most recently, the hit CW series, Riverdale, Perry also appeared or starred in over 30 films, including cult classics Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Fifth Element. The most important film for Perry, though, had to be John Avildson’s 8 Seconds, which Perry also produced in order to maintain the integrity of the story behind champion bull rider Lane Frost. Outside of acting, Perry was a devoted father and advocate for colorectal cancer. After a colonoscopy revealed pre-cancerous growths in 2015, he became involved with Fight CRC. Together with Chad Schrank, whose wife is a stage III cancer survivor, Perry produced multiple PSAs, including this special video for One Million Strong. On February 27, the day FOX announced a revival of 90210, Perry suffered a massive ischemic stroke. He remained in the hospital until suffering a second stroke that would end his life on March 4 th. He was surrounded by his family and close friends. “Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all,” said the producers of Riverdale. “A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness.”