Norm Macdonald Apologizes to Harassment Victims, Says ‘You’d Have To Have Down Syndrome’ Not to ‘Feel Sorry’ For Them
Zack Sharf
Norm Maconald is facing backlash ahead of the premiere of his new Netflix talk show, “Norm MacDonald Has a Show.” The comedian took to social media to apologize for remarks he made expressing sympathy for Louis C.K. and Roseanne Barr. McDonald stirred up controversy when he said harassment victims didn’t have to go through the pain of “losing everything in a day” like C.K. and Barr did.
“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,” Macdonald said in apology on Twitter. “If my words sounded like I was minimizing the pain that their victims feel to this day, I am deeply sorry.”
Macdonald continued to lament his controversial remarks during a September 12 appearance on Howard Stern’s radio show (via Deadline). The comedian’s September 11 appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” was canceled following his comments. Macdonald told Stern he wishes he didn’t have to do print interviews.
“I’m a fucking dumb guy,” the comedian said. “I get confused a lot and shit.” But the comedian stirred up even more backlash when he said “you’d have to have down syndrome” not to “feel sorry” for harassment victims. He continued by commenting on the #MeToo movement, telling Stern it’s “what you want for your daughters.” Macondald said, “We want that to be the future world, of course.”
“Norm MacDonald Has a Show” premieres on Netflix September 14.
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
