EXCLUSIVE: Al Porter Says That It’s 'Wrong' To Touch Anybody Inappropriately

The interview gives a fascinating insight into the comedian’s way of looking at the world, as he offers his views on the spate of sex scandals sweeping the entertainment industry – and much more besides.
During the course of an in depth interview, conducted by Hot Press contributing editor Olaf Tyaransen, Porter admits that he no longer has respect for former idols caught up in any sex scandals. He also expressed his concern that a mob mentality could overtake #Metoo and speaks about his fears of those caught up in sex scandals being subjected to a trial by media.
The interview takes on a whole other dimension, in the light of the events which began to unfold a couple of days later, and which resulted in enormous damage – at least temporarily – to his career.

Al on the dramatic spate of sex scandals, “We’re at a watershed moment culturally where what is seen as decent and acceptable behavior is going to change, but it is important that we note that this is the defining moment and, going forward, I think a lot of people are going to change their behaviour.”

On groping someone against their consent, Al categorically states, “I don’t care how provocatively a woman dresses, or how late at night she arranged to have a business meeting with you. Or whether it was in your hotel room or not. If you’re grabbing her and she doesn’t want it, you’re in the wrong.”
On the general issue of ‘groping', Al Porter says, “I would hate to tar a comedian with that brush, but it is my experience that if you are in a gay bar, if I had a euro for every time I was grabbed or pulled or somebody laid a kiss on me and I wasn’t expecting it at all. That kinda thing happens for right or wrong.”
The comedian reveals that he’s no longer able to look up to one of his own comedic heroes, Woody Allen, after he was involved in a sex scandal. Al says, “It’s just incredibly disappointing.”

On why people should be reporting allegations to the police instead of running to the media, Al says, “Trial by media isn’t a good thing. We also still have to rely on the fact that if you have been abused or assaulted you should be able to trust the Gardaí to investigate it on your behalf and for justice to prevail. The Daily Mail is not An Garda Siochana. That’s important as well.”

On the #Metoo drive, Al says, “What I would be worried about is that #metoo drags people into that group that don’t belong in it. I know that might sound like I’m defending these people but I’m not. I’m just saying equally, actually victims of abuse have to use this moment to have their voice and to try and give a sober comment on it because there is no point getting caught up in hysteria either. Trial by media isn’t a good thing.”

"I’m not trying to be apologetic for people who have behaved inappropriately in the past,” he adds, "but it’s important for people to know what was and wasn’t reciprocal, what was and wasn’t consensual.”

Al also talks about Kevin Spacey. “It’s not like I didn’t hear stories about Kevin Spacey,” he says. "I was over in London and three or four people told me stories about him, laughing, going, “Isn’t that mad?” This is before it all came out. “What is he like/what a divil” was the tone of what people were telling me.”
A huge amount of ground is covered in what is a genuinely fascinating, in depth Hot Press Interview.

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