Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

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.

Arts & Entertainment

Video: Fred Willard Tells Jimmy Fallon, "I Did Nothing Wrong"

2012_07_fredwillardjf.jpg

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Beloved funnyman Fred Willard appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and, naturally, the number one topic was his arrest for lewd conduct at a Hollywood porn theater. Fallon asked what movie he saw, "The movie you went to see.. was it The Firm? Was it Free Willy? Was it Anaconda?" Willard said, "Sadly, it was Get Shorty."

Willard, joked that it was "the last time I’m going to listen to my wife when she says, ‘why don’t you go out and see a movie?’", said, "It's embarrassing as hell...Nothing happened. I did nothing wrong. Everything's being sorted out." He added, "I had great respect for the authorities," who are helping him sort this out (he won't be charged and will just need to complete a "diversion program").

The 72-year-old had previously gone on Twitter to proclaim the film "lousy" and also said that when he saw the Tiki Theater, he had hopes of hula dancers and mai tais, but found himself to be the only one sober and awake inside.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today