Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
No Cannes Do: Jerry Lewis Can't Name One Female Comedian He Likes
Jerry Lewis at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
()
No one will ever accuse Jerry Lewis of being a feminist. The octogenarian is getting flak for his latest comments that women shouldn't attempt comedy.
In a press conference Thursday at the Cannes Film Festival, AP reports that Lewis couldn't name a single female comedian whose work he enjoys. When asked who his favorite female comics are, he joked, "Cary Grant and Burt Reynolds," then added, "I don't have any."
In 1998, he remarked that watching women do comedy "sets me back a bit." Asked if the advent of more female comedians like Melissa McCarthy and Sarah Silverman have broadened his perspective, the 87-year-old said he doesn't approve of women doing broad comedy. "I can't see women doing that. It bothers me. I cannot sit and watch a lady diminish her qualities to the lowest common denominator," he said. "I just can't do that."
Lewis was in Cannes for the premiere of Max Rose, a drama in which he plays an aging jazz musician.
Support for LAist comes from
Deadline.com's Nikki Finke also took heat for her recent comments that "pretty women can't be funny" with Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks taking her to task with a slightly ageist dig: "Wouldn't it be great if older, more experienced women like Ms. Finke were kinder to her fellow females in the entertainment business? She might do more for our cause."
Jumping into the fray, Paul Feig, who directed the femme-centric Bridesmaids, who argues that it's really men who aren't funny.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist