James Corden blasted for cracking Harvey Weinstein jokes at celebrity AmfAR gala

British police are investigating a sex assault allegation involving movie producer Harvey Weinstein
AFP/Getty Images
Francesca Gillett15 October 2017
The Weekender

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and theatre ticket deals

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

James Corden has been blasted for cracking gags about Harvey Weinstein in front of Hollywood stars at an A-list gala.

The comedian and presenter was hosting an AmfAR charity gala in front of stars including Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks in Los Angeles when he said: "It's a beautiful night here in LA. So beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage."

In footage of the monologue posted on Twitter, it can be heard that The Late Late Show star's joke received a mixed reaction.

Corden responded by telling the audience: "I don't know whether that groan was because you like that joke or you don't like that joke.

"If you don't like that joke, you should probably leave now."

He continued: "It has been weird this week though, 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.

"Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight, but he'll settle for whatever potted plant is closest."

When the last remark was met with loud groans, he can be heard exclaiming: "Oh, come on!"

The jokes were widely condemned on social media where one user said: "If the problem is Hollywood not taking systemic sexual abuse seriously, the solution does not involve James Corden making light of the issue."

Another said: "I've always made it my mission to tell every American I meet that we hate James Corden in the UK. Now they know why."

Another said: "If today is the day James Corden is exposed for being the talentless and unfunny sycophant that he is, then hurray."

Corden's first big break in Hollywood came when he played Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts in The Weinstein Company's film One Chance.

Last month the chat show host said he was "disappointed in himself" for cosying up to former White House press secretary Sean Spicer at the Emmy Awards, after a photograph emerged of him kissing Spicer on the cheek.

AmfAR is an international charity raising money to fund research into AIDS research and HIV prevention.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in