A little more than a month after she referred to Ivanka Trump as a "feckless c*nt," comedian Samantha Bee shared her thoughts on the "learning curve" she's experienced from the fallout.
Bee's TBS show Full Frontal earned seven Emmy nominations last Thursday, but Bee told THR the Ivanka Trump incident has changed her perception of comedy's role in American political discourse.
.@iamsambee earns #Emmys nomination despite Ivanka Trump C-word controversy https://t.co/5NpDdALUqg https://t.co/EUF4bzHvqR— Hollywood Reporter (@Hollywood Reporter) 1531411500.0
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bee explained: "You can't celebrate your victories long. That's all I'm saying." Bee issued two public apologies — on her show and on Twitter — for her remarks about the First Daughter, though she admits the ordeal still looms over her.
I would like to sincerely apologize to Ivanka Trump and to my viewers for using an expletive on my show to describe… https://t.co/bwphm63ZAb— Samantha Bee (@Samantha Bee) 1527790590.0
"It affected me a lot," explained Bee. "I've been thinking a lot about it. We had a scheduled vacation around July 4, and it was a time of reflection."
Bee said the hyper-partisan nature of modern American politics is a catalyst for anger, saying "outrage" is "an inevitability." Bee referenced the "ferocity" of the backlash and that while she believes she will "go through it again," her show will be "better prepared."
"It was a pretty steep learning curve."
"I do think that being a part of the outrage machine is an inevitability now," she added. "That's a reality everyone has to grapple with — not just me. The level of ferocity is something I hadn't quite experienced up to that point, but I assume I'll go through it again. Maybe I'll be better prepared next time. I think we handled it well, but it was a pretty steep learning curve."
Folks on Twitter defended Bee and her comments about Trump. They said the Emmy nods came because of Bee's remarks, not despite them.
@THR @iamsambee are you kidding.... she got nominated, BECAUSE of this incident...not IN SPITE OF. THAT...is today's Hollywood. 🤮— Janell 🌼🌼🌼 (@Janell 🌼🌼🌼) 1531414100.0
@THR @whohahadotcom @iamsambee You say despite, I say because of her calling out Ivanka and her circus clown of a father.— Trish 🌻 🥓 💥 (@Trish 🌻 🥓 💥) 1531420629.0
@THR @iamsambee Maybe she earned the nomination because of it. Stop assuming.— Matt Guba (@Matt Guba) 1531412430.0