After this year’s deluge of sexual harassment accusations, there have been a number of positive responses and actions but a few famous men commented on sexual assault and made the matter worse. Actors, actresses, politicians and other public figures have come forward to support the victims who have broken their silence in order to bring light to this serious and systemic issue. But, alas, if only that were the case for everyone. Below, find a number of times that men in the public eye responded to the recent slew of allegations in a way that made us all wish they would’ve just stayed quiet.
Time to work on your listening skills, men!
Akshay Kumar
What he said: “Mallika ji aap bell bajao, main aapko bajata hoon.” The Bollywood superstar, who is known for his impeccable comic timing landed himself in trouble when he passed this comment on comedian Mallika Dua. The two were co-judges on the show The Great India Laughter Challenge. Dua’s father and journalist Vinod Dua later lambasted the actor for his choice of words.
What he should have said: Not that.
James Toback
What he said: “This is just too stupid. I mean, these are people I don’t know, and it’s things I never would have done. And it’s just not worth talking about. It’s idiotic.” –Toback after the Los Angeles Times published a story in which 38 women accused him of sexual harassment
What he should have said: Noooothing.
Matt Damon
What he said: “I do believe that there’s a spectrum of behavior. And we’re going to have to figure — you know, there’s a difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right? Both of those behaviors need to be confronted and eradicated without question, but they shouldn’t be conflated, right?” —Damon on the recent sexual misconduct allegations in Hollywood
What he also said: “We’re in this watershed moment, and it’s great, but I think one thing that’s not being talked about is there are a whole s—load of guys — the preponderance of men I’ve worked with — who don’t do this kind of thing and whose lives aren’t going to be affected.” —Damon in an interview with Business Insider
What he should have said: Something else!! Anything else! Or nothing at all!
Woody Allen
What he said: It’s essential to avoid a “witch hunt atmosphere” where “every guy in an office who winks at a woman is suddenly having to call a lawyer to defend himself.” —Allen on the recent allegations against Harvey Weinstein
What he should have said: Not. That.
James Cordon
What he said: “It’s a beautiful night here in L.A. It’s so beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage. I don’t know whether that groan was that you like that joke or you don’t like that joke. If you don’t like that joke, you should probably leave now. It has been weird this week though, hasn’t it? 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.” – Corden at the amfAR Gala
What he should have said: God, anything but that.
Jason Momoa
What he said: “As far as sci-fi and fantasy, I love that genre because there are so many things you can do, like rip someone’s tongue out of their throat and get away with it – and rape beautiful women.” —Jason Momoa talking about why he loved working on Game of Thrones.
What he should have said: Not that!
Ram Gopal Varma
What he said: “I wish all the women in the world give men as much happiness as Sunny Leone gives.” — Varma posted this inappropriate tweet about actress Sunny Leone on International Women’s Day.
What he should have said: Definitely not this!
