Jason Bateman is Canceled

In an interview published in the New York Times Wednesday, the stars of Arrested Development discussed an incident on the set of the show where Jeffrey Tambor verbally harassed Jessica Walter. Walter actually cried in the interview during this discussion, and theTimes made audio of the moment available.

“In almost 60 years of working, I’ve never had anybody yell at me like that on a set,” Walter said through tears.

Meanwhile, co-stars Jason Bateman and Tony Hale quickly came to the aide of Tambor, attempting to save his character by effectively saying “These things happen” and “We all have our moments.”

“Again, not to belittle it or excuse it or anything, but in the entertainment industry it is incredibly common to have people who are, in quotes, ‘difficult,’” Bateman said. “ And what you learn is context. And you learn about character and you learn about work habits, work ethics, and you start to understand.”

Bateman has since been criticized for minimizing Walter’s experience, as well as supporting Tambor through sexual harassment allegations made by a former assistant and co-star on Transparent, and has now apologized for his words. Bateman took to Twitter to say that he was sorry and embarrassed by what he said in the interview.

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-

— Jason Bateman (@batemanjason) May 24, 2018

– 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..

— Jason Bateman (@batemanjason) May 24, 2018

… 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…

— Jason Bateman (@batemanjason) May 24, 2018

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

He continued: “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 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.”

He continues to stand by Tambor, however, saying he would refuse to participate inanother season of Arrested Development if Tambor was not involved.

Image by Cindy Ord / Stringer via Getty