Lifestyle

Matt Damon Finally Says Something We Want To Hear

by Meredith Bland
Image via Noam Galai/Getty Images

The actor apologized during an interview yesterday

He can be taught, ladies and gentlemen. During an interview with Kathy Lee Gifford yesterday, Matt Damon finally addressed his controversial statements on sexual harassment, saying, “I don’t want to further anyone’s pain…and for that I’m really sorry.”

It’s about damn time.

Damon has gotten a lot of well-deserved heat lately for his multiple, badly-thought-out comments on sexual harassment. First, he was bashed for bemoaning the fact that all these men were losing their careers after being outed as sexual predators and pointing out that “there’s a difference between patting someone on the butt and rape.” Oh, Matt, you card. You ignorant, insensitive card.

Then, because that went so well, he thought it’d be a good idea to talk some more, and told ABC News that “the preponderance of men I’ve worked with…don’t do this kind of thing.” (Except, of course, for life-long super BFF Ben Affleck, right?

Now, months later, it seems that Damon has learned the many benefits of playing The Quiet Game when it comes to issues you know nothing about.

When Gifford asked if he had learned anything from the experience, Damon answered: “Well, I really wished I’d listened a lot more before I weighed in on this.” Gifford interrupted him, saying, “You’re a good listener, though, Matt.” At which point women everywhere said, “Shut up Kathie Lee shut up shut up shut up.” Luckily, Damon disagreed, saying, “No, well, not in this case.”

“Ultimately,” he continued, “what it is for me is that I don’t want to further anybody’s pain with anything that I do or say. And so, for that, I’m really sorry. And Time’s Up? I mean, a lot of those women are my dear friends, and I love them and respect them and support what they’re doing, and want to be a part of that change and want to go along for the ride, but I should get in the backseat and close my mouth for a while.”

Let’s see what kind of response Damon got from the public this time:

Ok…so…it’s not flattering, but at least he’s heading in the right direction. Look how grateful everyone is that he didn’t say something stupid. That’s got to feel nice for him, right? Hopefully he will build on that by continuing to be quiet and listening to women. If he can do that, maybe some of us will go see Downsizing.

Nah, I’m kidding. No one is going to see that thing. (Sorry, Matt. Loved you in The Martian.)

But still, we’re glad that Damon humbled himself in public and not only said that he was wrong, but also that he needs to take a backseat and keep his opinion out of this. Hopefully, he will learn a lot from these women he claims to love and respect.