When it comes to controversial comedian Louis C.K., you're most likely either a Pete Davidson or a Rob Schneider. Comedian and actor Janeane Garafolo falls into the latter camp, as she's just demanded people leave C.K. alone in a new podcast interview.
C.K. has been under scrutiny for his recent stand-up sets, where he's side-stepped his sexual misconduct scandal in favour of making edgy jokes at the expense of non-binary folks and school shooting survivors.
While appearing on the podcast Poptarts, hosts Emily Rems and Callie Watts asked Garafolo how she felt about the #MeToo movement and its influence on the comedy world.
"It should transcend gender. It's human rights. 'Cause if you don't, anyone can be accused of anything at any time," Garafolo said. "And if you're not allowed to question that — I can say right now, 'I've got pictures of you molesting a child. Don't question me!' You know what I mean? Don't question the questioner! Then it's a Twilight Zone episode. And I think in any movement, for human rights, you've got to transcend gender, and you've got to consider who's making the accusation and why and when, because it matters."
When C.K.'s scandal came up, Garafolo said that the world needs to "leave Louis C.K. alone," adding, "And again, there are so many issues we gotta be motivated on. He's been my friend — and I stand by that — he's been my friend since 1985, and I think he has suffered. And when he performs at the Comedy Cellar and people get all irate, if nothing else, care about his daughters."
She continued: "If nothing else — if you can find no compassion for him, which I think you should — think about how his daughters, who hear all of this stuff, feel. Why don't you leave him alone for them if you're so women-empowering?"
At this point, Rems and Watts pushed back, saying that C.K. "chose to be public" and "chose to take advantage of that" regarding his comeback in the wake of the sexual misconduct scandal.
"I don't think you know the full story … and nobody talks onstage in their stand-up more than him [about] everything he's ever done throughout that whole time," Garafolo continued. "I don't want to get caught up in this, because clearly you take a strong position on this, and it doesn't win me any friends. This is like talking about Israel. But I do believe when you're a friend with someone, and if you think that they have suffered — I don't believe in kicking a person when they're down."
She added that C.K. has been "bullied" and "paid heavily, heavily, and his family has paid heavily" for the sexual misconduct allegations that C.K. admitted to in a statement in 2017.
Listen to Garafolo's full appearance on Poptarts here.
C.K. has been under scrutiny for his recent stand-up sets, where he's side-stepped his sexual misconduct scandal in favour of making edgy jokes at the expense of non-binary folks and school shooting survivors.
While appearing on the podcast Poptarts, hosts Emily Rems and Callie Watts asked Garafolo how she felt about the #MeToo movement and its influence on the comedy world.
"It should transcend gender. It's human rights. 'Cause if you don't, anyone can be accused of anything at any time," Garafolo said. "And if you're not allowed to question that — I can say right now, 'I've got pictures of you molesting a child. Don't question me!' You know what I mean? Don't question the questioner! Then it's a Twilight Zone episode. And I think in any movement, for human rights, you've got to transcend gender, and you've got to consider who's making the accusation and why and when, because it matters."
When C.K.'s scandal came up, Garafolo said that the world needs to "leave Louis C.K. alone," adding, "And again, there are so many issues we gotta be motivated on. He's been my friend — and I stand by that — he's been my friend since 1985, and I think he has suffered. And when he performs at the Comedy Cellar and people get all irate, if nothing else, care about his daughters."
She continued: "If nothing else — if you can find no compassion for him, which I think you should — think about how his daughters, who hear all of this stuff, feel. Why don't you leave him alone for them if you're so women-empowering?"
At this point, Rems and Watts pushed back, saying that C.K. "chose to be public" and "chose to take advantage of that" regarding his comeback in the wake of the sexual misconduct scandal.
"I don't think you know the full story … and nobody talks onstage in their stand-up more than him [about] everything he's ever done throughout that whole time," Garafolo continued. "I don't want to get caught up in this, because clearly you take a strong position on this, and it doesn't win me any friends. This is like talking about Israel. But I do believe when you're a friend with someone, and if you think that they have suffered — I don't believe in kicking a person when they're down."
She added that C.K. has been "bullied" and "paid heavily, heavily, and his family has paid heavily" for the sexual misconduct allegations that C.K. admitted to in a statement in 2017.
Listen to Garafolo's full appearance on Poptarts here.
