THE STAR-STUDDED amfAR Gala took place this weekend in Los Angeles – a fundraising night hosted by the American Foundation for Aids Research.
Julia Roberts was presented with the “Award of Courage” on the night, but the event is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons thanks to host James Corden’s opening monologue – which was filled with jokes about the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal.
There was a decidedly mixed reaction from the audience, and journalist Chris Gardner recorded the footage:
“Straight out gate, host @JKCorden with Harvey Weinstein jokes. Too soon? Some laughs, some groans”
Straight out gate, host @JKCorden with Harvey Weinstein jokes. Too soon? Some laughs, some groans #amfARLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/nx88w5UwUe
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) October 14, 2017
If you can’t see the video, click here.
He began:
“Here in LA, it’s so beautiful Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage”
The initial reaction from the crowd wasn’t good, and Corden remarked:
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.
He continued:
“It has been weird this week 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”
There was silence from the audience following that line – and the video recorded one more joke before ending:
“Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight, but he’ll settle for whatever potted plant is closest”
Since the video surfaced on Twitter, Corden has been called out for trying to make rape funny
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The clip has picked up momemtum overnight and Corden has faced wall-to-wall criticism for trying to make sexual assault a punchline
It’s not about it being “too soon” for people either
In a room full of women who have dealt with Weinstein for years, as well as victims coming across his high profile comments, it’s gone down like a lead balloon
People were also quick to bring up his recent encounter with Sean Spicer as well
Corden has yet to respond to the controversy.
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