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Sarah Silverman Slams Longtime Friend Louis C.K. For Sexual Harassment: It’s “F–ked Up”
One of Louis C.K.’s dearest friends is finally opening up about the disgusting sexual harassment allegations against him. Sarah Silverman admitted that she is “at once very angry for the women he wronged and the culture that enabled it, and also sad, because he’s my friend… It’s vital that people are held accountable for their actions, no matter who they are.”
Sarah went on to say that Louie “masturbated in front of women. He wielded his power with women in fucked-up ways, sometimes to the point where they left comedy entirely. I could couch this with heartwarming stories of our friendship and what a great dad he is — but that’s totally irrelevant, isn’t it? Yes, it is. I love Louis, but Louis did these things, both of those statements are true so I just keep asking myself, can you love someone who did bad things?” she mused.
Her statement comes five days after FX officially cut ties with on Nov. 10, one day after he became the latest man in Hollywood to be accused of sexually harassing young women. “Today, FX Networks and FX Productions are ending our association with Louis C.K. We are cancelling the overall deal between FX Productions and his production company, Pig Newton,” an FX spokeperson said in a statement, according to People. “He will no longer serve as executive producer or receive compensation on any of the four shows we were producing with him – Better Things, Baskets, One Mississippi and The Cops.”
The cut was made after Louis confirmed allegations that were made about him in a bombshell report from the New York Times. In it, comedy duo Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov allege that in 2002, Louis asked if he could take out his penis shortly after meeting them for drinks at his hotel in Aspen, CO.
Louis’ brand of comedy is dark and weird, so they thought he was kidding, but “then he really did it,” Dana claims. “He proceeded to take all of his clothes off, and get completely naked, and started masturbating.” Both women say they were “paralyzed” by what was happening in front of them against their will. And that wasn’t the only example of Louis’ misconduct. Two other women also claim he tried to masturbate in front of them or over the phone. Abby Schachner says it happened to her in 2003, and Rebecca Corry’s encounter reportedly took place in 2005.
Dana and Julia in 2011.
Rebecca’s incident actually took place on the set of a TV pilot that Courtney Cox and David Arquette were running, and they were made aware. “What happened to Rebecca on that set was awful,” Courtney said to NYT in an email, saying that her “concern was to create an environment where Rebecca felt safe, protected and heard.” They offered to halt production but Rebecca chose to continue.
The Louie star admitted to his disturbing behavior and took responsibility for his actions. “At the time, I said to myself that what I did was okay because I never showed a woman my d–k without asking first, which is also true,” he wrote in a statement to EW. “But what I learned later in life, too late, is that when you have power over another person, asking them to look at your d–k isn’t a question. It’s a predicament for them. The power I had over these women is that they admired me. And I wielded that power irresponsibly.”
He continued, “There is nothing about this that I forgive myself for. And I have to reconcile it with who I am. Which is nothing compared to the task I left them with. I wish I had reacted to their admiration of me by being a good example to them as a man and given them some guidance as a comedian, including because I admired their work.” However, one Twitter user was quick to point out what was missing from his apology — an actual apology.
Louis CK’s statement is so good we almost didn’t realize he never once used the words “I’m sorry.”
— Almie Rose (@AlmieRose) November 10, 2017
Shortly after, his working partner Pamela Adlon revealed she was “devastated” by the news. “My family and I are devastated and in shock after the admission of abhorrent behavior by my friend and partner, Louis C.K.. I feel deep sorrow and empathy for the women who have come forward. I am asking for privacy at this time for myself and my family. I am processing and grieving and hope to say more as soon as I am able.”
Fans knew something was up when an hour before the NYT piece came out, The Orchard in NYC opted to cancel Louis’ I Love you, Daddy premiere. “Due to unexpected circumstances, tonight’s event for I Love You, Daddy has been canceled,” the venue announced in an email, according to Variety. “On behalf of The Orchard, please accept our apologies. We’re incredibly sorry for any inconvenience.” The film was controversial from the beginning with its use of racial slurs and apparent glamorization of Woody Allen. Louis was also supposed to appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Thursday, ut was replaced with William H. Macy.
Louis joins a long list of actors, directors, and producers that have been hit with horrifying claims over the last few weeks, beginning with Harvey Weinstein and growing to include Steven Seagal, Kevin Spacey, and many more. So far, Louis has not commented on the claims.
