Comedian James Corden found out the hard way Saturday night that it might be too soon to joke about Harvey Weinstein -- especially with a glib tone that got on a lot of people's nerves.
Actress and activist Rose McGowan, who came forward last week as another one of the disgraced film mogul's rape accusers, was among those offended by Corden's tone about the scandal while hosting the annual amfAR charity gala. "YOU MOTHERF-CKING PIGLET," she tweeted after seeing his material, which was met with a mix of laughter and groans from the audience attending the event.
"Here in LA it's so beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage!" Corden joked while hosting the annual amfAR charity gala Saturday night, drawing a mix of laughter and groans from the audience. "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."
Straight out gate, host @JKCorden with Harvey Weinstein jokes. Too soon? Some laughs, some groans #amfARLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/nx88w5UwUe
@chrissgardner
"It has been weird this week, though, hasn't it?" he continued. "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."
Felicity Huffman Confirms Harvey Weinstein Threatened Her Career to Support His Wife's Fashion Brand (Exclusive)
View StoryWeinstein was fired from his own company and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this week after numerous women in Hollywood stepped forward and accused him of various degrees of sexual misconduct, including harassment and assault.
McGowan, who has been leading the charge against Hollywood sexism on Twitter since the Weinstein allegations came to light, has demanded CBS donate to the East Los Angeles Women's Center to make up for the performance, and called Corden "a close friend" of Weinstein's.
YOU MOTHERFUCKING PIGLET https://t.co/UU9LitO9zJ
@rosemcgowan
1) James Corden is a close friend of HW's
@rosemcgowan
2) Hearing the audience's vile roars & laughs show EXACTLY what kind of HOLLYWOOD you really are. https://t.co/HBqNxnpr7N
@rosemcgowan
3) @CBS DONATE TO @ELAWC OR YOU TOO SUPPORT RAPE CULTURE #fuckjamescorden
@rosemcgowan
Corden later posted this apology to Twitter:
but to shame him, the abuser, not his victims. I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention. (2/2)
@JKCorden
The blowback from other Corden critics was enough to make the comedian a trending topic Saturday night.
Shame on this pig and everyone who grunted with him #amfARLosAngeles https://t.co/0SujRNCzd9
@AsiaArgento
so not only is James Corden making jokes about the sexual assault allegations against Weinstein, but it seems they're also pals - pic.twitter.com/yO4xE6uByU
@RossalynWarren
Sorry America no you can't give James Corden back he's yours now
@bobsymindless
James Corden.
@DancingTheMind
To understand privilege watch yourself joking on stage to an audience about Weinstein abuses. https://t.co/T7UU4Hq4Ub
It's important that everybody understands that, if he was alive at the time, James Corden would have taken a selfie with Hitler
@markwbirrell
So it appears that James Corden thought he could do a Ricky Gervais and he failed miserably.
@Modmuffin
The art of comedy is timing James😂
Glad to see James Corden getting some serious hate. The man is a narcissist of the highest level. Fame junkie, craves adoration. Mental.
@GhostOfScottLaw