Jason Bateman on His Behavior in NYT Interview: 'I'm Incredibly Embarrassed and Deeply Sorry'

After making an ass of himself in an interview with the New York Times during which he defended costar Jeffrey Tambor’s history of verbal abuse toward Jessica Walter (who tearfully recounted Tambor’s behavior), Jason Bateman has released a multi-part (though strangely un-threaded) apology.

Bateman wrote in a series of tweets:

Based on listening to the NYT interview and hearing people’s thoughts online, I realize that I was wrong here.

I sound like I’m condoning yelling at work. I do not.

It sounds like I’m excusing Jeffery. I do not.

It sounds like I’m insensitive to Jessica. I am not.

In fact, I’m horrified that I wasn’t more aware of how this incident affected her. I was so eager to let Jeffrey know that he was supported in his attempt to learn, grow and apologize that I completely underestimated the feelings of the victim, another person I deeply love – and she was sitting right there! I’m incredibly embarrassed and deeply sorry to have done that to Jessica. This is a big learning moment for me. I shouldn’t have tried so hard to mansplain, or fix a fight, or make everything okay. I should’ve focused more on what the most important part of it all is – there’s never any excuse for abuse, in any form, from any gender. And, the victim’s voice needs to be heard and respected. Period. I didn’t say that and instead said a bunch of other stuff and not very well. I deeply, and sincerely, apologize.

Perhaps the bar is pretty low for apologies from famous men these days, but Bateman’s is actually one of the better and more earnest ones I’ve read over the past nine months—namely because it is an actual apology and expression of horror/embarrassment over his extreme (and self-described) fuck up, not a mere explanation or dismissal.

So that’s a good thing. What’s not is that Walter—and countless other women—have had to deal with this cycle of torment and apology and supposed rehabilitation at all.

[Twitter]

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On a brighter note, I am very moved by these photos of Bella Hadid quietly staring at a gorgeous body of water, expressing her desire to go swimming…one day.

What’s stopping you from swimming right now Bella? Open up to us. Share with the class.

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• “Stop the divorce rumors and mind your damn business.” – Will Smith [People]
• Abby Lee Miller will be a free woman in fewer than 24 hours. [Radar Online]
• WHO WOULD START A RUMOR AS VILE AS THIS ONE?! [Gossip Cop]
• Megan Fox drinks water, just like you! [Us Weekly]
• The Financial Times does sexy gay-adjacent photo shoots now? [ONTD]