Comedian Jim Gaffigan’s attempt at humor about the recently unsealed Jeffrey Epstein records at the 2024 Golden Globes landed with a thud. His quip about not being a pedophile was met with awkward silence and nervous laughter from the star-studded audience.
Gaffigan’s joke was in reference to the six Hollywood stars, including Cate Blanchett, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Cameron Diaz, who were spuriously named in the leaked documents. While their names were mentioned, there is no evidence of any wrongdoing or involvement with Epstein.
Blanchett and DiCaprio’s names were mentioned in a witness statement that cited a false press report claiming the witness had met them. Other stars on the list include Kevin Spacey, Bruce Willis, and Star Wars director George Lucas.
Gaffigan’s insensitive joke was not the only misstep of the evening. Host Jo Koy also bombed with a brutal joke about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The jokes about serious topics like pedophilia and celebrity scandals seemed to be in poor taste for many viewers.
The Epstein scandal continues to cast a long shadow over Hollywood. The recent release of the court documents has revived public interest in the case and has led to renewed scrutiny of those who were associated with Epstein.
It is important to remember that the people named in the documents are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, the allegations against Epstein are serious and should not be taken lightly.
The Golden Globes is typically a night of glamour and celebration, but this year’s ceremony was overshadowed by the Epstein scandal. Gaffigan’s ill-timed joke was a reminder of the dark side of Hollywood and the importance of taking allegations of abuse seriously.
The Tata Group’s hospitality arm, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), has signed two Taj-branded resorts. Read more.
