In a recent interview with the New York Times, the cast of Arrested Development discussed the sexual misconduct of one of the show’s stars, Jeffrey Tambor. Moments after Jessica Walter came forward revealing Tambor verbally abused her, Bateman was quick to shove that under the rug. “This is a family,” he said. “You know, a family where we yell at the women. The regular kind!”
Despite Bateman’s attempt to dismiss Walter’s experiences and feelings, the interview left fans of the show angry that the four white men who star in the show quickly defended Tambor and dismissed both Jessica Walter and Alia Shawkat, who spoke up in Walter’s defense.
Realizing his ‘mistake’ due to backlash online, Bateman took to Twitter to apologize.
“It sounds like I’m condoning yelling at work. I do not,” writes Bateman. “But in the home? Yeah, that’s where it makes sense to yell. At women, specifically.”
He went on to explain that the “gray area” is that in film and tv, work is home! And that’s why yelling at women on a set is not only ok, but expected.
“When you’re an actor, your cast is your family,” he explained. “Which is why, in this one case, it’s ok to yell at women at work. Because it’s not work, it’s home. And they’re family. And you gotta yell at them. You know what I mean?”
Actors and film/tv professionals across the country reportedly do not know what he means.
He finished off his tweet with an apology: “I deeply, and sincerely, apologize. You know, for making it seem like you can treat your coworkers like you treat your family. Go home, yell at women there! Women at work are off limits. Unless they’re also in your family, of course. Your showbiz family.”
