British comedian James Corden has apologised for making jokes about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault allegations at an awards ceremony.
Corden received a backlash when he went too far in an attempt to get a reaction from his audience hosting the amfAR Gala last week in Los Angeles.
According to Variety, Corden’s ‘jokes’ certainly did not go down well in the room and many took to social media to criticise the comedian.
Taking to the stage, in his opening monologue, Corden joked:
This is a beautiful room, it’s a beautiful night here in L.A.
So beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage.
He really should have thought more about his audience, including the likes of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, before making the joke which was met with nervous groans.
However, The Late Late Show host didn’t stop there despite the reaction he received.
He continued:
It has been weird this week though, watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water. Ask any of the women who watched him take a bath.
Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight, but sadly he’ll settle for whatever potted plant is closest.
The jokes came just days after dozens of allegations about decades of sexual harassment surrounding Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein were made public following a 10-month investigation by the New Yorker.
Rose McGowan, perhaps the most outspoken critic of Weinstein, took to Twitter to air her grievances at Corden’s tasteless jibes.
McGowan called Corden a ‘motherf*cking piglet’ on Twitter yesterday and slammed those in the audience saying ‘hearing the audience’s vile roars & laughs show EXACTLY what kind of HOLLYWOOD you really are’.
She also claimed that ‘Corden is a close friend of HW’s’ and demanded TV network CBS, who aired the gala, donate money to the East Los Angeles Women’s Centre which provides services to those affected by sexual and domestic violence.
McGowan tweeted that if CBS does not donate, then they too ‘support rape culture’.
McGowan’s tweets went viral and others joined the actress in criticising the British comedian.
Now Corden has issued a statement on Twitter apologising for making the jokes.
He wrote:
To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter.
I was not trying to make light of Harvey’s inexcusable behaviour, but to shame him, the abuser, not his victims.
I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention.
However, Corden’s rather late and poor apology just made things worse for the comedian as many started attacking his statement on social media.
Twitter was not happy:
Numerous actresses, including A-listers Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie, have spoke about how Weinstein had sexually harassed them with some accusing the Hollywood producer of rape.
Weinstein has denied allegations of non-consensual sex.
Yesterday it was reported the Metropolitan Police are investigating five sexual assault allegations in London involving the Hollywood producer, dating back to the 1980s.
