Norm Macdonald’s apology for comments he made about the #MeToo movement was not enough to keep “The Tonight Show” from cancelling his scheduled appearance.
The late night show starring Jimmy Fallon swiftly cancelled the comedian’s appearance after backlash erupted over his defense of Louis C.K., Chris Hardwick and Roseanne Barr during an interview with Hollywood Reporter, according to Variety.
“Out of sensitivity to our audience and in light of Norm Macdonald’s comments in the press today, ‘The Tonight Show’ has decided to cancel his appearance on Tuesday’s telecast,” NBC said in a statement.
The writer and actor was scheduled to promote his new Netflix interview series, “Norm Macdonald Has a Show,” but NBC made its decision after controversy over his comments telling Hollywood Reporter he was “happy the #MeToo movement has slowed down a little bit.”
“It used to be, ‘One hundred women can’t be lying.’ And then it became, ‘One woman can’t lie.’ And that became, ‘I believe all women.’ And then you’re like, ‘What?’ Like, that Chris Hardwick guy I really thought got the blunt end of the stick there,” Macdonald said.
He discussed the struggle for Louis C.K. who lost projects and deals after revelations of alleged sexual misconduct. Macdonald also spoke about Barr, whose ill-fated tweet about a former Obama advisor lead to her being fired by ABC and having her sitcom revival, “Roseanne,” cancelled by the network – only to be brought back without Barr. Macdonald was a writer on Barr’s original ABC series.
“I feel bad that Roseanne got fired. I think that we have to be more forgiving of people,” he said. “I’ve spoken to Roseanne many times, and she’s always been in tears. She’s paying a mighty penance for whatever transgression you might think she did.”
“There are very few people that have gone through what they have, losing everything in a day,” Macdonald said. “Of course, people will go, ‘What about the victims?’ But you know what? The victims didn’t have to go through that.”
He later apologized for “minimizing the pain” of victims in his remarks.
Roseanne and Louis have both been very good friends of mine for many years. 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.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) September 11, 2018
There were plenty of liberals applauding the call by “The Tonight Show” to cancel Macdonald’s appearance, but many others called out the left’s hypocrisy and stood by the comedian.
In the age of Accountability, talk is no longer cheap! Think before you speak.
— Jack Mandora⚖️ (@Zemi66) September 12, 2018
I present to you the Left’s moral compass. If the cost is too high, it must be a bad thing.
— Blaze Lightyear (@YesWesS) September 12, 2018
There’s no “if” here. I was excited for your new show and now I look forward to its cancellation.
— Lodestar (@JonHoffmannMN) September 11, 2018
The left just can’t cope with different views to their own. Infantile, really.
— NKA (@NKAskh) September 12, 2018
Instead of fearing someone’s possible differing opinion, like most libs do, why not have him on to discuss or clarify his comments? Because the left are cowards. All of them.
— Twitt3r is run by Cowards (@winston__1984) September 12, 2018
Jimmy had an opportunity thru Norm to present the other side of judging without facts and people losing a lifetime of work and career in a day. How does he and his friends defend against this trend of accusations equals guilt?
— James Gerboc (@jgerboc) September 12, 2018
No issues with what you said. If @netflix cancels your show I cancel my subscription to them. You spoke the truth. Never stop.
— Victor (@Victor_Hayler) September 12, 2018
Wow, Fallon’s allergic to interesting TV. Could’ve had an actual nuanced discussion about a tough topic instead of running away from it completely, which happens way too often these days. Thank god @normmacdonald is booked on @sternshow tomorrow
— Dante Greco (@DANTE_GRECO) September 12, 2018
Their loss. He’s actually giving an opinion on a subject for once. Breath of fresh air.
— Michael DeMartino (@YetisTellNoLies) September 12, 2018
I have to say I am completely shocked Jimmy Fallon would disinvite Norm Macdonald, who went out of his way to praise and defend him against his many critics in the interview.
— Seth Abramovitch (@SethAbramovitch) September 12, 2018
All these apologies sound like pressure from Netflix. Norms playing the game. Sorry Norm, maybe I’m wrong but you don’t seem like the kind of guy to give in to the radical leftest mob who constantly demands apologies for perceived slights. I guess you gotta do what you gotta..
— Michael Size (@Sly_Botts) September 12, 2018
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