Any reasonable person would agree that it’s too soon to make jokes about Harvey Weinstein.
The ink is barely dry on the New York Times story that broke the allegations that Weinstein had sexually assaulted women and used his status in Hollywood to further his depraved behaviour. His actions have caused his victims decades of pain, and it took extraordinary courage for those who have spoken out to do so.
Making light of the situation is bad enough, but doing it on stage in a room full of Hollywood stars? Not a smart move.
Unfortunately for comedian and US late night host James Corden, that’s what he elected to do. Corden was hosting the AmfAR Gala in Los Angeles, an event to raise money for AIDs research, where he made a series of jokes about Weinstein.
https://twitter.com/wilnetteo/status/919341888792158210
“This is a beautiful room, it’s a beautiful night here in L.A. It’s so beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage,” Corden said in his opening monologue.
“It has been weird this week though, watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water. Ask any of the women who watched him take a bath,” he continued.
“Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight, but sadly he’ll settle for whatever potted plant is closest,” Corden said, referencing one of the allegations against the disgraced movie producer.
As you can tell from the video, the jokes didn’t land entirely as planned. “I don’t know whether that groan was that you like that joke or you don’t like that joke,” Corden said after one of his gags. “If you don’t like that joke, you should probably leave now.”
The response on Twitter was damning of Corden.
Fuck James Corden and his painfully unfunny attempts at mining other people's trauma for cheap jokes pic.twitter.com/IPVUb94MMP
— Nina Luckshmi Mohan (@NinaLMohan) October 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/BeccaEHarrison/status/919475319177928704
https://twitter.com/erskinerecords/status/919319069018468353
I know it's easy to take shots at James Corden (fun, too) but how dunderheaded to crack that at amfAR: an audience of Hollywood megastars…
— Kit / Chris (@kitlochery) October 15, 2017
Corden has yet to address the controversy.
