Bill Maher: Franken shouldn’t be ‘lumped in’ with other sexual abusers

Talk show host Bill Maher said Friday that the sexual misconduct  Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) apologized for this week was wrong, but not on the same level of similar alleged misconduct from President Trump or film mogul Harvey Weinstein.

In a monologue on his show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” the host tore into Franken for a USO sketch which the former SNL star-turned-politician wrote that allegedly involved him kissing a female co-star. The sketch was written to be performed by Franken and TV anchor Leeann Tweeden, during a December 2006 USO show.

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“Al’s a friend, but Al- I got to tell you, if you write a comedy sketch where you, Al Franken, kiss a model and her next line of dialogue isn’t ‘Get off of me, creepy!’ it’s not comedy, it’s science fiction,” Maher said.

But, Maher added, the allegations that Franken groped Tweeden over her flak jacket while she was asleep and forcibly kissed her during a rehearsal do not compare to those leveled at Trump, Weinstein, or others who have been accused of sexual misconduct in recent weeks, such as GOP Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore or actor Kevin Spacey.

“What he doesn’t deserve is to be lumped in with Roy Moore,” Maher said. “Or Kevin Spacey! Or Harvey Weinstein! Or Donald Trump!”

Maher aimed one particular jab at Moore after a reporter revealed in The New Yorker that sources say the Alabama politician had been banned from his local shopping mall decades ago after parents complained about his conduct towards young girls.

“Roy Moore has spent more time chatting up young girls at the mall than Santa Claus!” Maher joked.

Franken issued a second apology Thursday after his initial response in which he said the photo was meant to be a joke that turned out unfunny was criticized.

“The first and most important thing—and if it’s the only thing you care to hear, that’s fine—is: I’m sorry,” he wrote in the new statement.

“I understand why we need to listen to and believe women’s experiences,” the Minnesota Democrat said. “I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate.”