James Corden Has Apologized After Backlash For Joking About Harvey Weinstein At A Charity Gala

    "It's a beautiful night here in LA. It's so beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage."

    Ikran Dahir
    by Ikran Dahir

    BuzzFeed News Reporter

    On Friday night, James Corden hosted the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) gala in Los Angeles.

    Kevin Tachman / Getty Images

    Corden started off the night by joking about the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault allegations, and the audience groaned.

    Chris Gardner @chrissgardner

    Straight out gate, host @JKCorden with Harvey Weinstein jokes. Too soon? Some laughs, some groans #amfARLosAngeles

    Reply Retweet Favorite
    @chrissgardner / Via Twitter: @chrissgardner

    The host of The Late Late Show said: "This is a beautiful room. It's a beautiful night here in LA. It's so beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage."

    Amid groans from the crowd, Corden continued: "I don't know whether that groan was that you like that joke or you don't like that joke. If you don't like that joke you should probably leave now."

    Corden continued with more jokes about Weinstein: "It has been weird this week though, 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."

    And finally: "Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight, but sadly he’ll settle for whatever potted plant is closest."

    People online were angry at Corden's jokes.

    Wilnette @wilnetteo

    James Corden kicked off AmFar Gala by joking about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault allegations.

    Reply Retweet Favorite
    @wilnetteo / Via Twitter: @wilnetteo
    ⚡️jen @liviablackthrns

    this isn't a fucking joke, @JKCorden. tons of women were abused and sexually assaulted. what the fuck were you thin… https://t.co/NEJIVIwauZ

    Reply Retweet Favorite
    @liviablackthrns / Via Twitter: @liviablackthrns
    @kitlovelace / Via Twitter: @kitlovelace

    Actor Rose McGowan, one of Weinstein's accusers, called him out.

    @rosemcgowan / Via Twitter: @rosemcgowan

    People said rape jokes aren't funny.

    damian the 13th 💀 @dannytrogen

    @wilnetteo why do hosts still think rape is funny? it is really not

    Reply Retweet Favorite
    @dannytrogen / Via Twitter: @dannytrogen
    sophie 🌈 @toogay2functi0n

    James Corden is one of the reasons sexual assault and rape aren't been taken seriously and made into a joke, rape jokes should never happen.

    Reply Retweet Favorite
    @toogay2functi0n / Via Twitter: @toogay2functi0n
    @BnazF / Via Twitter: @BnazF

    And have called him a "misogynist".

    Becca Harrison @BeccaEHarrison

    I never liked James Corden because he's not funny. Now I don't like him because he's a smug, entitled misogynist. https://t.co/9yK3X4wAR3

    Reply Retweet Favorite
    @BeccaEHarrison / Via Twitter: @BeccaEHarrison
    Tim Doble @BetterThanToday

    James Corden is absolute garbage. What a misogynist fuckwit. The jokes weren’t even funny if they WERE acceptable. https://t.co/TFvnbofFkN

    Reply Retweet Favorite
    @BetterThanToday / Via Twitter: @BetterThanToday

    Corden's reps did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed's request for comment, but the comedian did apologize on Sunday, following the backlash.

    James Corden @JKCorden

    To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter. I was not trying to make light of Harvey’s inexcusable behavior, (1/2)

    Reply Retweet Favorite
    @JKCorden / Via Twitter: @JKCorden
    James Corden @JKCorden

    To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter. I was not trying to make light of Harvey’s inexcusable behavior, (1/2)

    Reply Retweet Favorite
    @JKCorden / Via Twitter: @JKCorden