John Oliver Expresses Regret Over "Failed" Dustin Hoffman Confrontation

"It didn’t really go anywhere constructive, so the whole thing just made me feel sad," the HBO host now says.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the confrontation, John Oliver expressed regret over pressuring a line of questioning about sexual misconduct claims against Dustin Hoffman.

In an interview on Sky One’s The Russell Howard Hour, the host of HBO's Last Week Tonight said asking the Oscar-winning actor about the accusations against him from multiple women was "unavoidable" when he led a panel with the actor earlier this month.

“It wasn’t ideal but it became such a big story — but it became about my questions rather than his answers," Oliver told Howard. "The questions weren’t particularly remarkable, but his answers were — not great. That was the point of it. But it didn’t really go anywhere constructive, so the whole thing just made me feel sad.” He added that he felt the exchange "failed" because it didn't accomplish more.

Oliver was referring to the awkward back and forth he and Hoffman had during a special Wag the Dog 20th anniversary discussion where Oliver was the moderator. Hoffman responded by telling Oliver he was not there when these alleged incidents occurred and the women were not being accurate in their portrayal of events. Oliver, not happy with the responses, accused Hoffman of being too dismissive of the allegations.

Hoffman's first accuser, Anna Graham Hunter, wrote a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter last month.

More alleged victims have since come forward, including his former Death of a Salesman co-star Kathryn Rossetter, accusing the actor of sexual misconduct.