James Corden Apologizes for Harvey Weinstein amfAR Jokes

The 'Late Late Show' host was criticized by Rose McGowan and Asia Argento for his quips, which received a mixed response at the L.A. gala on Friday night.

James Corden has apologized for his jokes about Harvey Weinstein at Friday night's amfAR gala in Los Angeles.

The Late Late Show host, who emceed the event, made light of the sexual harassment and assault allegations against Weinstein. The quips received a mixed response in the room, and later actresses Rose McGowan and Asia Argento, who have accused Weinstein of sexual assault, slammed Corden for his comments.

YOU MOTHERFUCKING PIGLET https://t.co/UU9LitO9zJ — rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 15, 2017

Shame on this pig and everyone who grunted with him #amfARLosAngeles https://t.co/0SujRNCzd9 — Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) October 15, 2017

Corden began by joking, “Right here in L.A., it’s so beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage." After hearing the mixed response, he added, “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.”

Nobody left, The Hollywood Reporter observed, and Corden 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.”

He also said — referencing the account of TV reporter Lauren Sivan, who claims Weinstein masturbated in front of her and ejaculated into a potted plant — “Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight, but he’ll settle for whatever potted plant is closest.”

Corden himself took to Twitter on Sunday afternoon to apologize for what he said.

To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter. I was not trying to make light of Harvey’s inexcusable behavior, (1/2) — James Corden (@JKCorden) October 15, 2017

but to shame him, the abuser, not his victims. I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention. (2/2) — James Corden (@JKCorden) October 15, 2017

The Weinstein allegations were addressed by many late-night talk show hosts over the past week, including Corden himself, who joked about the sexual-harassment allegations against the mogul on Monday night's edition of CBS' The Late Late Show. But in many cases, including the jokes from Corden's colleagues, including Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee and Seth Meyers, any Weinstein remarks also included strong condemnations of his alleged behavior.

And both Meyers and Saturday Night Live's Michael Che have acknowledged that sexual assault and harassment are sensitive issues that are tough to joke about.