Amy Schumer has spoken out against victim-shaming and criticized Inside Amy Schumer writer Kurt Metzger after he defended a fellow comedian accused of sexual assaults. [Metzger] gets something from going after people, making them mad. That is not representative of me at all, Schumer told Charlie Rose.
The controversy stems from Metzgers stream of abrasive, baiting Facebook posts in defense of friend and fellow comedian Aaron Glaser, who was recently banned from the comedy theatre Upright Citizens Brigade following accusations of sexual assault. In Metzgers Facebook posts, the comedian questioned the legitimacy of the allegations against Glaser, who denied that any sexual assaults had taken place.
If you are raped by Bill Cosby you and you didnt go to the cops I get it. You were scared etc etc. I give you credit. If a fat improv open mic kid with a fucking jew fro did it you are full of shit, Metzger wrote in one post. What this powerful man was gonna block you from level two? Go to the cops as a group and hold hands it you gotta. Otherwise you are just a typical lynch mob and luckily the guy isnt black so no one is calling you that. But I will.
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Many in the comedy community have criticized Metzger for his stance, calling the comedian a rape apologist which Metzger added to his Twitter bio and, because of his role on Inside Amy Schumer, have demanded that Schumer take appropriate action in response to Metzgers posts.
Speaking to Rose, Schumer said of Metzger, Ive asked him, Can you just stop, because it comes back to me. Because he writes for the show, its a bigger story, because of our connection, so whatever tangent hes gone off on, I have not agreed with, and its really upsetting to see someone I care about hurt themselves like this.
Schumer added, Theres so much victim-shaming. When a woman says they were assaulted, a lot of peoples first reaction is to say No you werent. What was the situation? They treat it like the Salem Witch Trials. Its really unfair and it makes women not want to come forward.
Schumer also spoke out against Metzgers comments on Twitter, saying she was saddened and disappointed about his recent actions. Schumer then said Metzger was no longer a writer on her show; however, she added that Metzger wasnt fired because we arent making [Inside Amy Schumer] anymore. Schumer then clarified on Twitter and with Rose that the show would return to Comedy Central eventually, but since the program isnt in production right now, she technically doesnt have a writing staff.
On Charlie Rose, Schumer said that she loves Metzger and considers him a good friend, so its been difficult for her to watch him continually and purposefully enflame the subject.
They want his head. They want to burn him at the stake, Schumer said of those attacking Metzger. I want them to not attach me to what hes writing. I would love to refocus the energy and the attention to the real problem, which is I feel people understanding rape, whats consensual and whats not the focus is on [Metzger] and not what the problem is.
As for Metzgers belief that society is now too quick to punish those accused of sexual assault without first hearing the evidence against them, Schumer said, I think its great that people are stepping forward, and if its not done in a way that Kurt feels is right, thats really upsetting to hear. Its like we all need to be empowering each other. But to focus your energy on online trolling, if I did that, I wouldnt get anything done. Lets focus on actually getting the problem done.
Schumers full Charlie Rose interview will air Friday night on PBS.
Brock Turners six-month sentence sparked national outrage, and as a perpetrator of sexual assault, his demographic profile is far too common. Watch here.