Get the popcorn…
HBO’s John Oliver moderated a screening for the 20th anniversary of the film, “Wag The Dog,” and it quickly went off the rails when Oliver brought up the sexual harassment allegation against Dustin Hoffman:
John Oliver just went after Dustin Hoffman big time on sexual harassment at this Wag The Dog panel. Hoffman grew visibly uncomfortable. "You weren't there," he says to Oliver. "I'm happy I wasn't," Oliver replied.
— Steven Zeitchik (@ZeitchikWaPo) December 5, 2017
Oliver commented that the “easy way is not to bring anything up,” but “that leaves me at home later at night hating myself”:
John Oliver to Dustin Hoffman: “I can’t leave certain things unaddressed. The easy way is not to bring anything up. Unfortunately that leaves me at home later at night hating myself. Why…didn’t I say something? No one stands up to powerful men.” https://t.co/XybjXPXIzi
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) December 5, 2017
It’s seems ike a touchy subject for the aging movie star. Hoffman got mad at Oliver for — wait for it — believing the accusers:
John Oliver is peerless
"You weren’t there,” Dustin Hoffman said to Oliver about the set [where the alleged groping took place.]“And I’m [glad] I wasn’t,” the host replied. https://t.co/ODBNv1HBrB
— Tim Wu (@superwuster) December 5, 2017
All hell has now broken loose on this Wag The Dog panel. The subject seemed over after seven minutes but Hoffman brought it up again, saying Oliver is not keeping an "open mind" and is unquestionably believing accusers, and a testy five minutes followed.
— Steven Zeitchik (@ZeitchikWaPo) December 5, 2017
And now the _ audience _ is arguing volubly back and forth about whether Hoffman is upstanding and Oliver should be asking the questions. Not sure I've ever seen anything like it at a screening panel.
— Steven Zeitchik (@ZeitchikWaPo) December 5, 2017
Can’t put the genie back in the bottle:
Oliver just asked people to stop recording his argument with Hoffman on their phone. "That's what I hate about the Internet." But i mean, isn't that why he brought it up? To have a public conversation?
— Steven Zeitchik (@ZeitchikWaPo) December 5, 2017
And good for Oliver for going after Hoffman on this:
Oliver cited Hoffman's response to an accuser that his behavior on set was "not reflective" of who Hoffman is. "It's that kind of statement that pisses me off," Oliver said. "It's 'not reflective of who I am.' But it IS reflective of who you were."
— Steven Zeitchik (@ZeitchikWaPo) December 5, 2017
Hoffman also tried the Roy Moore defense that it happened 40 years ago. From the Washington Post:
“Do you believe this stuff you read?” Hoffman asked.
“Yes,” Oliver replied. “Because there’s no point in [an accuser] lying.”
“Well, there’s a point in her not bringing it up for 40 years,” Hoffman said.
“Oh Dustin,” Oliver said disapprovingly, putting his head in his hand.
Video here:
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Editor’s note: A typo in the headline has been fixed.
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