Al Porter: I can’t enjoy art by stars facing sex allegations
AL PORTER spoke out about the sexual harassment scandal which has swept the entertainment world – just days before he became engulfed in it himself.
In an interview with Hot Press magazine on Tuesday of last week, the comedian said he struggles to enjoy the work of the likes of Kevin Spacey, Louis CK and Woody Allen due to the allegations against them.
The 24-year-old said: ‘People respected them and the power... I don’t really enjoy the Woody Allen movies anymore... I think the same thing is happening with CK.’
He continued: ‘Can I go and see [Louis CK movie] I Love You, Daddy, and still enjoy it? How do you separate the artist from their art when their art is about the wrong things they’ve done? I Love You, Daddy is about grooming… It’s just incredibly disappointing.’
Later last week, the Blind Date host was accused by four fellow performers of numerous incidents of sexual misconduct. He has since quit Today FM and stepped aside from his lead role in the Olympia Theatre’s Christmas panto.
He told Hot Press the #metoo campaign, which went viral on social media in the wake of the
‘It’s incredibly disappointing’
Harvey Weinstein allegations, was significant for victims of abuse but he raised concerns about the movement.
He said: ‘I’m not trying to be apologetic for people who have behaved inappropriately in the past, but it’s important for people to know what was and wasn’t reciprocal, what was and wasn’t consensual. So I don’t think I’ve been sexually assaulted in the past. I don’t think I’ve sexually assaulted people in the past.’
Porter said that ‘promiscuous behaviour’ was the norm in theatre, and added: ‘If I had a euro for every time I was grabbed or pulled or somebody laid a kiss on me I wasn’t expecting it at all [in gay bars]... That kinda thing happens, for right or wrong.’
He said that ‘we’re at a watershed moment culturally where what is seen to be decent and acceptable behaviour is going to change’. However, he added that he believes victims of assault should report it to the gardaí as ‘trial by media isn’t a good thing’.