James Corden apologizes over Harvey Weinstein jokes

James Corden has apologized for joking about the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal at amfAR's annual benefit gala on Friday (13Oct17).

The The Late Late Show with James Corden host served as the emcee for the event and during his monologue he hit out at the disgraced movie mogul, who was fired from The Weinstein Company last week (06Oct17) after allegations of sexual harassment and assault were detailed in a New York Times article and subsequent New Yorker piece.

"This is a beautiful room, this is a beautiful night here in L.A. It is so beautiful that Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel room to give him a massage," he said to the crowd who laughed and groaned.

"I don't know whether that groan was that you liked that joke, or you don't like the joke," he added. "If you don't like the joke, you should probably leave right now."

Corden then hit out Weinstein again, joking, "It has been weird this week though hasn't it, watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water, ask any of the women who watched him take a bath, it's weird watching Harvey Weinstein in hot water. Harvey Weinstein wanted to come tonight but he'll settle for whatever potted plant is closest."

After the crowd failed to laugh at his joke, he yelled, "Come on!"

After his jokes were made public, two of Weinstein's alleged victims, Rose McGowan and Asia Argento, slammed Corden for his monologue.

"YOU MOTHERFUCKING PIGLET," McGowan wrote on Twitter.

"James Corden is a close friend of HW's (Harvey Weinstein)," she later added.

Argento also added on the social media site: "Shame on this pig and everyone who grunted with him #amfARLosAngeles."

Corden has now issued an apology, insisting he was not trying to offend anyone.

"To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter. I was not trying to make light of Harvey's inexcusable behavior, but to shame him, the abuser, not his victims," he writes. "I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention."