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Jason Bateman ‘deeply and sincerely’ sorry over Arrested Development cast interview

ARRESTED Development star Jason Bateman has responded to a backlash over the comments that left a fellow cast member in tears during a disturbing interview.

Nick BondNick Bond
@bondnickbond
3 min read
May 25, 2018 - 5:58AM
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ARRESTED Development star Jason Bateman has responded to a public backlash over his actions during a cast interview that left one actor in tears, with her male co-stars under fire.

In a series of apologetic tweets, the Hollywood actor redeemed himself after acknowledging his misguided approach to how the interview played out.

The response online was not as swift to support the actor, but it was appreciated.

The interview with the cast of cult sitcom Arrested Development shocked fans of the show, who questioned the male stars’ behaviour in the face of a crying co-star recounting the harassment she suffered during filming.

With the fifth season of the beloved TV show about to debut, seven of the main cast members sat down for a chat with The New York Times. They talked about everything from the show’s devoted following to the rise of Donald Trump — but there was one “elephant in the room” that couldn’t be avoided.

Since the previous season of Arrested Development aired in 2013, veteran actor Jeffrey Tambor, who plays the show’s patriarch George Bluth, has experienced a career renaissance — and a swift fall from grace. Tambor drew widespread acclaim for his portrayal of a trans woman on the TV show Transparent, but has now exited the role after two trans female colleagues on the program accused him of sexual harassment.

Arrested Development cast members (l-r) Jeffrey Tambor, Will Arnett, Alia Shawkat, Jason Bateman, Jessica Walter, David Cross and Tony Hale. Picture: Getty
Arrested Development cast members (l-r) Jeffrey Tambor, Will Arnett, Alia Shawkat, Jason Bateman, Jessica Walter, David Cross and Tony Hale. Picture: Getty

In a recent interview about the allegations with The Hollywood Reporter, Tambor denied the most serious of the allegations against him but conceded he had been difficult to work with in the past — citing a verbal incident in which he made Jessica Walter, who plays his wife Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development, cry during filming.

New York Timesjournalist Sopan Deb didn’t shy away from this topic — and the cast’s responses during the ensuing discussion have shocked readers.

Walter openly wept when recalling her past experiences working with Tambor, saying through tears: “Let me just say one thing that I just realised in this conversation. I have to let go of being angry at him. He never crossed the line on our show, with any, you know, sexual whatever. Verbally, yes, he harassed me, but he did apologise. I have to let it go. [Turns to Tambor.] And I have to give you a chance to, you know, for us to be friends again.”

With their co-star crying in front of them as she relived her past trauma, several of the male cast — most vocally Jason Bateman — appeared to minimise Tambor’s past behaviour.

“I can say that no matter what anybody in this room has ever done — and we’ve all done a lot, with each other, for each other, against each other — I wouldn’t trade it for the world and I have zero complaints,” said Bateman, who argued that it was common to work with “difficult” people in their “weird” industry.

Walter cried during the interview — as her male colleagues sought to explain the behaviour of the co-star who had verbally harassed her. Picture: Getty
Walter cried during the interview — as her male colleagues sought to explain the behaviour of the co-star who had verbally harassed her. Picture: Getty

“It’s a weird thing, and it is a breeding ground for atypical behaviour and certain people have certain processes,” he said.

The only other female cast member present, Alia Shawkat — who also appeared alongside Tambor in Transparent — spoke up at this point.

“But that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. And the point is that things are changing, and people need to respect each other differently,” she said.

Bateman and several other male cast members, including Veep star Tony Hale, continued to justify Tambor’s past behaviour. At this point, Walter spoke up again.

“But it’s hard because honestly — Jason says this happens all the time. In like almost 60 years of working, I’ve never had anybody yell at me like that on a set. And it’s hard to deal with, but I’m over it now,” she said.

Hale countered, “We’ve all had moments,” to which Walter responded, “But not like that, not like that. That was bad.”

The uncomfortable dynamics of the interview — a female actor visibly upset as she speaks about the harassment she experienced from her co-star, while her male colleagues rushed to defend and minimise his behaviour — have already sparked fierce discussion on social media.

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The cast of Arrested Development. <a capiid="3d9eb42fa195392f548302f7b6727271" class="capi-video">#Me2017 - the year of a movement</a>
The cast of Arrested Development. #Me2017 - the year of a movement

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/backlash-over-disturbing-interview-with-arrested-development-cast/news-story/322710b6e2d163fde12c053e76d3a214