Author: Allyson Chiu / Source: Washington Post
Norm Macdonald’s new Netflix show, aptly titled “Norm Macdonald Has a Show,” could very well be a rarity among late-night talk shows hosted by comedians — the hour-long episodes featuring celebrity guests won’t include any political commentary.
“I decided very early on there can be nothing topical,” the Canadian comedian said in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter published Tuesday, adding that late-night hosts have all been “forced” to become “political pundits.”
But his interview, which was meant to promote the show, was quite topical. Touching on a variety of politically charged issues, Macdonald’s controversial opinions on the #MeToo movement, Louis C.K. and Roseanne Barr sparked waves of criticism. His comments appeared to ridicule the movement and victims while voicing support for C.K. and Barr, both of whom are his friends.
In 2017, C.K. admitted to sexual misconduct after five women came forward accusing him. C.K. had all but disappeared from the public eye until he returned to perform again for the first time just last month in New York. According to THR, Macdonald was interviewed “several days” before C.K.’s performance. In May, ABC canceled its popular “Roseanne” reboot after Barr, the show’s star, launched a Twitter attack widely criticized as racist against Valerie Jarrett, a former adviser to President Barack Obama.
“There are very few people that have gone through what they have, losing everything in a day,” said Macdonald, referring to C.K. and Barr. “Of course, people will go, ‘What about the victims?’ But you know what? The victims didn’t have to go through that.”
Soon after the interview was published, Macdonald was trending on social media for all the wrong reasons, getting lambasted for his comments. The widespread backlash prompted the comedian to
“Roseanne and Louis have both been very good friends of mine for many years,” he tweeted. “They both made terrible mistakes and I would never defend their actions. If my words sounded like I was minimizing the pain that their victims feel to this day, I am deeply sorry.”
However, his apology did not seem to be enough for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” which swiftly canceled his scheduled appearance on Tuesday night’s show, an NBC spokesman told The Washington Post in a statement. Macdonald was originally supposed to be part of…
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