Norm Macdonald defends Louis C.K. and Roseanne Barr, says he's happy the #MeToo movement is slowing down


Norm Macdonald's new show isn't even out yet and he's already ruffling feathers. The comedian, whose new talk show Norm Macdonald Has a Show premieres on Netflix this Friday, criticized the #MeToo movement and defended his friends Louis C.K. and Roseanne Barr in a new set of interviews.
Macdonald suggested in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday that C.K went through far worse than his victims did because he lost his career. He explained, "Of course, people will go, 'What about the victims?' But you know what? The victims didn't have to go through that." C.K. admitted to allegations of sexual misconduct last fall.
Macdonald also said that he's glad the #MeToo movement "has slowed down" because it does not allow for people to be forgiven and requires every woman be believed. The movement's fervor could eventually result in an innocent person being accused and then taking their own life, Macdonald theorized, adding that he thinks Chris Hardwick, who was briefly suspended by AMC after his ex-girlfriend accused him of sexual assault, "got the blunt end of the stick there."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In a previous interview with Forbes, Macdonald spoke about C.K. making a surprise return to stand-up by performing unannounced at a New York comedy club. Macdonald argued that the fact that the audience responded well indicates it's okay for C.K. to return, adding that "you shouldn't ban a person for life for doing something that you couldn't even put him in prison for." In his remarks to The Hollywood Reporter, he defended Barr, saying, "She is certainly not a racist."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Keep the fun going with these 7 subscription gift boxes
The Week Recommends Bring the party to their mailbox
-
Babies born using 3 people's DNA are without hereditary disease
Under the radar The method could eliminate mutations for future generations
-
Crossword: July 23, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'
Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada