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James Corden faces backlash for Harvey Weinstein jokes James Corden faces backlash for Harvey Weinstein jokes
(35 minutes later)
James Corden is facing a social media backlash after cracking Harvey Weinstein jokes at a black-tie charity event in Los Angeles.James Corden is facing a social media backlash after cracking Harvey Weinstein jokes at a black-tie charity event in Los Angeles.
There were loud groans after Corden told his audience it was a beautiful night in LA… “so beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage.” There were loud groans after Corden told his audience it was a beautiful night in LA – “so beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage”.
Responding Corden said: “I don’t know whether that groan was that you liked that joke or you don’t like that joke. If you don’t like that joke you should probably leave now.” Corden said: “I don’t know whether that groan was that you liked that joke or you don’t like that joke. If you don’t like that joke you should probably leave now.”
Emboldened, he continued: “It has been weird this week hasn’t it, watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water. Ask any of the women who watched him take a bath... it’s weird watching Harvey Weinsten in hot water. Emboldened, he continued: “It has been weird this week hasn’t it, watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water. Ask any of the women who watched him take a bath … it’s weird watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water.
“Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight but he’ll settle for whatever potted plant is closest.”“Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight but he’ll settle for whatever potted plant is closest.”
That joke prompted more groans. “Oh come on!” said Corden.That joke prompted more groans. “Oh come on!” said Corden.
Corden, host of The Late Late Show, was master of ceremonies at the gala for amfAR, the foundation for Aids research, in LA on Friday evening. The footage of his jokes was posted on Twitter by Hollywood Reporter journalist Chris Gardner. Corden, the host of The Late Late Show, was master of ceremonies at the gala for amfAR, a foundation for Aids research, in LA on Friday evening. The footage of his jokes was posted on Twitter by a Hollywood Reporter journalist, Chris Gardner.
Straight out gate, host @JKCorden with Harvey Weinstein jokes. Too soon? Some laughs, some groans #amfARLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/nx88w5UwUeStraight out gate, host @JKCorden with Harvey Weinstein jokes. Too soon? Some laughs, some groans #amfARLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/nx88w5UwUe
Julia Roberts was given a special award for courage during the event while the guests included Tom Hanks, Goldie Hawn, Melanie Griffith, Sean Penn and Coldplay’s Chris Martin as a surprise guest performer.Julia Roberts was given a special award for courage during the event while the guests included Tom Hanks, Goldie Hawn, Melanie Griffith, Sean Penn and Coldplay’s Chris Martin as a surprise guest performer.
How soon is too soon is a familiar question when it comes to making jokes about horrible stories. For many on Twitter, Corden’s jokes were far too soon. “James Corden’s ‘jokes’ about the Weinstein situation are disgusting. Sexual harassment is never funny. Ever,” wrote one user.
For many on Twitter, it was way too soon. “James Corden’s ‘jokes’ about the Weinstein situation are disgusting. Sexual harassment is never funny. Ever,” wrote one. “James Corden just embarrassed every #Brit in #LA. Whack jokes about #Weinstein & #sexualassault are no joke,” wrote another.
“James Corden just embarrassed every Brit in LA. Whack jokes about Weinstein & sexualassault are no joke,” wrote another. Weinstein was executive producer of the 2013 film One Chance, a biopic in which Corden played the Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts. It was Corden who suggested Take That’s Gary Barlow to Weinstein when he needed to change the music on his stage musical project Finding Neverland.
Corden, like so many actors, has an association with the disgraced producer in that Weinstein was executive producer on the 2013 film One Chance, a biopic about Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts. It was Corden who suggested Take That’s Gary Barlow to Weinstein when he needed to change the music on his stage musical project Finding Neverland.
The condemnation of Corden for making jokes followed the condemnation of Saturday Night Live over a week ago for not making jokes and for ignoring the story altogether. But on Saturday Weinstein did feature. The show included a sketch featuring a “women’s roundtable” of actors at a film festival. On the subject of whisper networks, one said: “We had a secret code among us actresses to warn each other about creeps. The code was: ‘He raped me.’ And if the men were listening, they tuned us right out.”The condemnation of Corden for making jokes followed the condemnation of Saturday Night Live over a week ago for not making jokes and for ignoring the story altogether. But on Saturday Weinstein did feature. The show included a sketch featuring a “women’s roundtable” of actors at a film festival. On the subject of whisper networks, one said: “We had a secret code among us actresses to warn each other about creeps. The code was: ‘He raped me.’ And if the men were listening, they tuned us right out.”
In the regular “weekend update” section, comedian Michael Che says: “It’s so easy to make jokes about a guy who looks like this,” pointing to a photo. “He looks like chewed bubble gum rolled in cat hair.” In the regular “weekend update” section, the comedian Michael Che said: “It’s so easy to make jokes about a guy who looks like this,” pointing to a photo. “He looks like chewed bubble gum rolled in cat hair.”
Weinstein says he has made a mistake, Che continued, but Weinstein’s actions were not a mistake. “You assaulted dozens of women. That’s not a mistake, that’s a full season of Law & Order.” Weinstein said he has made a mistake, Che continued, but Weinstein’s actions were not a mistake. “You assaulted dozens of women. That’s not a mistake, that’s a full season of Law & Order.”