'He was a creepy, douchey guy from the get-go': Denis Leary reveals he refused to be interviewed by Matt Lauer because he got a 'weird vibe' from the accused abuser years ago
Denis Leary wasn't shocked about the sexual misconduct scandal that cost Matt Lauer his job.
The 60-year-old comedian, appearing on The Talk Friday, said that he 'thought [Lauer] was a creepy, douchey guy from the get-go,' and even made arrangements to avoid having on camera interviews with the former Today show host, 59.
'You know, you get a vibe - and I just got a weird, weaselly vibe from the guy, and I said to my publicist, I said, "I don’t want to be interviewed by him any longer, I want to be interviewed by the girls,"' Leary revealed on the CBS panel. 'Go back and look at the videotape: I stopped being interviewed by him on the Today show about 10 years ago because he was so creepy.'
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No holds barred: Denis Leary , appearing on The Talk Friday, said that he thought disgraced Today host Matt Lauer 'was a creepy, douchey guy from the get-go,' amid the TV host's recent firing linked to sexual misconduct
The spirited statement prompted The Talk's Sharon Osbourne to lean over and hug Leary, proclaiming, 'I love you!'
The Rescue Me actor, speaking about if Lauer can salvage his career, referred to a button that enabled him to lock his office from the inside, as reported by Variety.
'And by the way, I don't want to go across-the-board, because I do think people deserve a second chances, but when you have a button under your desk to lock women into your office, you know what? Screw you!' he said.
The Worcester, Massachusetts native urged Lauer to 'play golf with [his] creepy golf buddies' and keep out of the limelight.
Premonition: Leary said that he asked years ago not to do on-camera interviews with Lauer
Say it loud: Leary was flanked by cheers from the studio audience as he condemned Lauer
Lauer's termination from NBC was announced on November 30, with NBC News chief Andrew Lack saying they had received a complaint Lauer had engaged in 'inappropriate sexual behavior'.
The complaint is said to have been from an employee who accused Lauer of inappropriate sexual conduct that began during their trip at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 and went on for several months, according to Variety.
Lauer is also accused of exposing his genitals to a female NBC worker in his office and reprimanded her to when she did not engage with him sexually, while another said he had given a co-worker a sex toy with an X-rated note about his intentions for the device, Variety reported.
In a statement in the wake of the revelations, Lauer took a contrite tone and said he was focused on righting past wrongs.
Joyous: Leary was hugged by The Talk's Sharon Osbourne, who declared, 'I love you,' as he went on his rant
Fore: Leary said that Lauer should not be given a second chance amid revelations he had a secret button in his office to lock it from the inside. The comic added Lauer should spend his days playing 'golf with [his] creepy golf buddies'
'There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,' he said. 'To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.'
He continued: 'Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.
'Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and I’m committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full-time job.'
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