Catherine Tate slammed for ‘tasteless’ Time’s Up joke at Olivier Awards
Catherine Tate has come under fire for cracking a “tasteless” joke about the Time’s Up movement at the Olivier Awards.
The comedian, 49, was invited to host the annual bash which celebrates the best of British theatre, but was criticised by viewers after joking she was one of the only famous people eligible to host as she doesn’t have the word “alleged” next to her name.
Referring to the sexual misconduct scandal she said: “I was not the first choice as the host for tonight, but I am one of the only people left on the list without the word ‘alleged’ next to their name but the night is young.”
She finished: “We’ve all had a drink. So we’re not out of the woods yet.”
The joke angered some in light of the Time’s Up movement with one Twitter user posting: “Has Catherine Tate never spoken in front of an audience before? Also whoever wrote that sexual harassment joke for her misjudged the current mood didn't they? #OlivierAwards.”
Another tweeted: “Catherine Tate goes from a really tasteless harassment joke to talking about the Time’s Up movement. Really?! #olivierawards2018.”
Tate was also criticised for fluffing her lines after she made light of several attempts to successfully read from the autocue as she took to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall.
One user tweeted: “I suspect we won’t see Catherine Tate presenting live again, after taking three attempts to master every short autocue link in front of Britain’s most accomplished theatre performers. No excuse for that lack of preparation.”
But others praised her turn as host, hailing her a “legend” including Derren Brown who said she was “terrific presenting”.
Hamilton was the big winner at last night's ceremony, picking up seven prizes including Best New Musical. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s production, which transferred to the West End from Broadway last December, also saw Giles Terera and Michael Jibson scoop Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in a Musical respectively.
A host of stars attended the glitzy bash including Ronnie Wood, Tom Fletcher, Alexandra Burke, Ophelia Lovibond, Anne-Marie Duff, Bryan Cranston and Cuba Gooding Jr.
The ceremony was followed by an after party at the Natural History Museum.
