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

Norm Macdonald.
(Image credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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."

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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."

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Brendan Morrow

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.