A video of Anthony Anderson interviewing Lindsay Lohan back in 2003 has popped up again, and a lot of people are uncomfortable with what he said. Anderson has now responded.
The interview happened when Anderson filled in for Sharon Osbourne on her talk show on December 16, 2003. Lohan was just 17 at the time and they were talking about her career and personal life.
At one point, Lohan mentioned she was living with her friend Raven-Symoné. Anderson asked, “What gentlemen will be at the new pad with you and Raven Symoné?”
She answered, “No one. I don’t have a boyfriend.”
Anderson looked out at the audience and said, “She’s single, but looking!”
Lohan responded: “I’m illegal, for people that are old.”
Then Anderson took a sip of tea and said: “Some men like them young. We ain’t gonna mention no names, but I’m one of them.”
He laughed, and the audience laughed too. Right before a commercial break, he made another joke about her movie Freaky Friday and said, “Right now, we’re about to get our freak on” as he moved closer to her on the couch. She covered her mouth with her hands.
After the clip went viral, a spokesperson for Anderson sent a statement to Entertainment Weekly and said: “This interview was clearly intended as comedy. He regrets if the humor was in poor taste and maintains the utmost respect for Lindsay. Any implication to the contrary is both inaccurate and potentially defamatory.”
People online had a lot to say. Some said the clip was shocking, some called him gross, and others pointed out that Lohan looked uncomfortable.