“Supernatural” stars Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles want to make it clear they aren’t kidding around when it comes to sexual misconduct. After intense backlash to a joke referencing Bill Cosby’s rape allegations, which the actors told at a convention over the weekend, the pair have issued statements to TheWrap placing them firmly against unwanted sexual advances.
“Under all circumstance Jared condemns any form of sexual harassment or assault,” a rep for Padalecki told TheWrap in a statement. Ackles echoed his co-star’s opinion in his own comment to TheWrap, with his rep saying, “Our position is that sexual harassment is a serious issue and should not to be taken lightly under any circumstances.”
The statements don’t offer a direct apology for the joke, which many fans on social media labeled as “offensive” and “tone-deaf” in light of the current harassment and assault allegations circulating in Hollywood.
The co-stars, who are currently working on Season 13 of The CW drama, made the remarks during a Q&A session at Creation Entertainment’s Official Supernatural Convention in New Orleans over the weekend. In a clip from the convention, a fan asked a question and Ackles replied, “I think she wants to hear our pickup lines.” Padalecki turned to his co-star and whispered something, to which Ackles replied, “No” — as in, don’t go there.
Not heeding Ackles’ warning, Padalecki revealed his line after much pleading from fans. Before offering his response, Padalecki noted, “My jokes are all really offensive.”
And then he backed up that assertion.
“Excuse me, does this rag smell like chloroform to you?” the actor said, before laughing at his own joke and miming a mic drop. Ackles then jumped in with a, “No, Mr. Cosby,” followed by, “Too soon? Or not too soon? Too late?” The audience’s reaction sounds pretty mixed in the clip.
Cosby has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 60 women.
TheWrap reached out to The CW for comment, but did not hear back by time of publication.
You can see the clip of Ackles and Padalecki telling the joke below.