Comedian Kurt Metzger Called “Pro-Rape” by Daily Beast Writer Prompting Fans and Friends to Defend Him

On Monday, a writer for the Daily Beast sparked intense anger from the comedy community when she posted a story about Kurt Metzger calling him “Pro-Rape.” In the story, writer Libby Torres expresses anger that a “pro-rape” comedian could get a gig with the already controversial tv series “Who Is America?” starring Sacha Baron Cohen. Metzger is listed as a writer for the show. The new Showtime series from the creator of Ali G has been the subject of acclaim and criticism for its content and its methodology.

“Kurt Metzger faced an avalanche of criticism for harassing feminist critics and defending a comedian accused of rape. Now he’s part of Sacha Baron Cohen’s all-male writing team,” Torres proclaims in her article titled “The Pro-Rape Comedian is Writing for Sacha Baron Cohen’s This Is America?” Torres complains that “it appears that Metzger has gone largely unscathed by his tendency to spew misogynist rhetoric online” and says Metzger’s involvement on the show will raise eyebrows.

Torres, of course, is referring to a 2016 incident where Kurt posted some strong thoughts on social media after a comedian was accused of rape on social media, and the discussions elevated quickly. Metzger felt too quickly, and without commenting about whether in this case the allegations were true or false, he lambasted those taking on a mob mentality without actual knowledge of the situation.

Although she quotes some of Metzger’s admittedly inflammatory comments, the problem with Ms. Torres’ story is that none of her quotes demonstrate that Metzger is pro-rape, and in fact, he has never to our knowledge made a pro-rape comment. And if she had read our articles on the subject, she would know that not only is Metzger vehemently anti-rape, she would know that in the incident she describes involving alleged rapist Aaron Glaser, Metzger later apologized profusely for his social media commentary, saying that he talked to the victim in the story (he called her Jane Doe) and said that the abuse she described was “beyond horrific” and in fact “so awful that it has fucked him up.” In a radio interview with Ron Bennington, Metzger said, “What she told me makes me so angry…. What she told me was so upsetting…I’m not blowing her spot up…it will come out.” He said he regretted being “cavalier” in his earlier statements, saying “She didn’t deserve this to happen to her. Nobody deserves this shit and I can assure you I will never be that cavalier again. And that’s not pressure on me. It’s what I believe.” Hardly the words of a pro-rape individual.

His earlier statements which Ms. Torres describes as “pro-rape” were in fact, not pro-rape at all. They may have been blunt and even insensitive (by his own admission), but the comments were aimed at reactionary politics and the people who jump to conclusions on Facebook without personal involvement or knowledge.They have never at any point been pro-rape.

And to call Metzger largely unscathed by fallout from the incident is also inaccurate. No one can know what career advances may have been foregone as a result of the controversy, and in fact the series he wrote for at the time, Inside Amy Schumer never returned despite being greenlit for a fifth season. And Kurt himself has said that on a personal level, he was pretty “scathed” even hinting that he himself might have been the victim of abuse in his younger days.

Other publications have also questioned whether Metzger should be hireable, including Jezebel, The Forward, The Cut, and Refinery 29.

Media competition is at an all-time high and the pressure to get clicks undoubtedly intense, but Ms. Torres and The Daily Beast have waded into some very dangerous territory that quotation marks should not excuse. And if you are going to suggest that someone should be forever unhirable, perhaps more careful research into their alleged transgressions are in order.

On Tuesday, many friends and fans took to social media urging Metzger to take legal action, calling the comments defamatory. Kurt himself chose not to comment directly on the subject, and instead plugged an upcoming gig at Magooby’s.

Here’s what comedians, comedy industry and some fans are saying about the story:

There’s only one thing in this world that matters at this moment, and that’s that I will be appearing at Magooby’s Joke House! This thurs the 19th thru Sat the 21st! https://t.co/6SnNc5dOQ0 — Kurt Metzger (@kurtmetzger) July 17, 2018

Pro rape? Go fuck yourself. I hate the media. https://t.co/frE3kr6k3W — Bonnie McFarlane (@bonniemcfarlane) July 17, 2018

Let’s leave labels like pro-rape w the rapists not comedy writers. — Bonnie McFarlane (@bonniemcfarlane) July 17, 2018

What an irresponsible headline and article. Kurt Metzger should sue you . Done with daily beast. Really terrible and untrue “ story”. — colleen mcgarr (@colleenmcgarr) July 18, 2018

Calling Metzger "pro-rape" is like calling pro-choicers "pro-dead babies." Do better. — Julia Reiss (@thereisspiece) July 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/morgan_murphy/status/1019330874460868608

https://twitter.com/TheKateWolff/status/1019353771384721408

@thedailybeast you are a fucking joke. This headline is the literal equivalent of somebody crying rape where there hasn’t been one. This headline hurts comedy, it hurts the future of this show (which’ll be hilarious), and it hurts feminism.@kurtmetzger is a fucking great comic. https://t.co/KkZebYOndn — rosebud baker (@rosebudbaker) July 17, 2018

Kurt Metzger is a hilarious comic, a good guy, one of the most talented comics I know, and even he couldn’t make me laugh as hard as journalists using the term “pro-rape” in a SATIRE FREE headline. pic.twitter.com/1Caqj8Nwmq — rosebud baker (@rosebudbaker) July 17, 2018

This is such an insane headline @kurtmetzger please tell me you’re gonna sue. https://t.co/QEgn70th0u — :(:(:(Danny Polishchuk):):): (@Dannyjokes) July 18, 2018

I have a feeling @kurtmetzger is about to come into A LOT OF COIN courtesy of the daily beast… I think you should change your name to gawker. — Chef Cern (@chefcern) July 18, 2018

How is it okay to print lies like this? You know who liked and supported @kurtmetzger ? @crimmins – one of the biggest victims' advocates on the planet. I hope he sues you for all you're worth. — Joe McGaha (@bourbonroad) July 18, 2018

The is slander and it’s disgusting. The media continues to be fucking vile. This is a complete and utter fabrication. https://t.co/ZbDRHdFzM5 — Tim Dillon (@TimJDillon) July 17, 2018

I know @kurtmetzger and I can honestly say, he is “anti-rape.” https://t.co/sTSarummja — Eddie Ifft (@EddieIfft) July 17, 2018

“In a subsequent YouTube interview, Metzger directed more vitriol at Doyle. “Listen, you fucking fuckface. I don’t give a—listen, put me down for pro-rape as far as you’re concerned.”….

this is enough to refer to him as “pro rape”? Come on. — Frank Pellegrino (@FrankP614) July 17, 2018

this headline is bad and misleading also when is @kurtmetzger going to fully transition into being Rodney Dangerfield? it's uncanny. https://t.co/ZqpqGu0wcF — Missy Narrance (@ShmupusMiss) July 17, 2018

https://twitter.com/NotAlexis/status/1019286153915191296

This is dog shit. He described himself as “pro-rape” sarcastically to make a point about how others characterized him. To slip that into a headline with no context is patently unethical/unprofessional. https://t.co/CBLjfIE7GQ — S Epatha Murc’dmyson (@LaetitiaCastaw1) July 17, 2018

I spent a week in a car with Kurt Metzger going to and from the office writing Roast jokes once. If he was pro rape it definitely would have come up. Screw these headlines. — John Moore (@jhollandmoore) July 18, 2018

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