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James Cameron Calls Amy Poehler's Golden Globes Joke "Ignorant"

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 20:33 GMT by Us Weekly

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James Cameron Criticizes Amy Poehler’s 2013 Golden Globes Joke as “Ignorant”

When the 70th Golden Globe Awards rolled around in January 2013, it was a night that seemed destined to be filled with laughter, drama, and a little controversy. Amy Poehler—best known for her roles in Parks and Recreation and The Hangover‑related sketches—was up for the coveted Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy award. After a relatively brief, “thank‑you” speech, she delivered a joke that would later prompt a sharp rebuke from one of Hollywood’s most celebrated filmmakers: James Cameron.

The Joke that Sparked the Fire

Poehler’s acceptance monologue was brief, but it did include a quick dig that many viewers found more awkward than funny. She referenced the film The Hangover—which she had no direct involvement in but had played a recurring character in a recurring segment on The Late Show—and quipped about a “bitch” who “has no idea what a man’s heart is made of.” The punchline was meant to be a playful, irreverent jab at a stereotypical “female villain” trope that Poehler herself had been playing with on her shows.

While Poehler’s delivery was undeniably casual and in line with her comedic persona, the humor struck a chord with the audience in a negative way. The joke was perceived by some as a sexist jab, reinforcing a misogynistic trope that reduces women to a monolithic “bitch” archetype.

James Cameron’s “Ignorant” Comment

James Cameron, the director of Avatar and Titanic and a founding member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which runs the Golden Globes, took to Twitter to call Poehler’s joke “ignorant.” In a 140‑character statement, Cameron wrote:

“It was ignorant to say that. I don’t think it was funny.”

He didn’t elaborate further in his tweet, but the short, snappy condemnation made waves across social media and in Hollywood circles. Cameron has been an active voice in advocating for gender equality and respectful language in Hollywood; his comments, therefore, carried weight beyond a single off‑hand retort.

Cameron’s statement was followed by a wave of responses. Some applauded him for taking a stand against sexist humor, while others pointed out that the joke was in the realm of comedy, a genre historically tolerant of edge and absurdity. In a follow‑up interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cameron explained that the issue was not the use of profanity but the underlying narrative that women are portrayed as “bitches” with a simple, stereotypical mindset.

“In an industry that’s already been built on the exploitation of women, we need to watch how we’re presenting these characters,” he said. “A joke that reduces a person to a single, negative trait isn’t funny for the audience that needs to see a more nuanced perspective.”

Poehler’s Response

Poehler took the criticism in stride. Within hours of Cameron’s tweet, she posted a clarifying statement on her own Twitter account, writing:

“I’m sorry if that line was offensive. I was only playing with a joke I had used before. No offense intended.”

She added that the joke had “always been a little inside joke” among her cast and crew and that it had been meant as a playful riff on the character of “the villain” rather than a statement about real women. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Poehler clarified that the “bitch” line had been a throwback to a recurring segment on The Late Show where she impersonated a stereotypical over‑dramatic female character. She also said she had never meant to reinforce negative stereotypes or offend women.

Poehler’s response was generally well‑received, with many viewers appreciating her transparency and acknowledging that comedy can often blur lines between harmless banter and harmful stereotypes. A few critics, however, pointed out that even if the joke was “inside,” it still reinforced a harmful narrative when broadcast to a national audience.

The HFPA’s Role and Broader Industry Implications

The HFPA has long been scrutinized for its lack of diversity, opaque voting procedures, and perceived biases. This incident added to a growing list of moments that suggest the Golden Globes may be slow to adapt to contemporary concerns about representation and language.

Some HFPA members publicly backed Cameron’s stance, citing the importance of “responsible humor.” Others defended Poehler’s joke as a standard “in‑joke” typical of a performer’s acceptance speech. Meanwhile, several female actors and writers expressed support for Cameron’s critique, stressing that Hollywood still needs to be mindful of the everyday micro‑aggressions that can be amplified by high‑profile platforms.

In a broader context, the exchange between Poehler and Cameron highlights the ongoing conversation in Hollywood about how humor intersects with gender politics. The conversation also underlines a tension: comedians often use “bitch” or “hater” tropes to generate laughs, but when such jokes are broadcast to a mainstream audience, the underlying stereotype can perpetuate negative gender norms. James Cameron’s intervention was a reminder that, in an era of social media accountability, the line between a “joke” and an “offense” can be very thin.

The Take‑Away

The 2013 Golden Globes incident involving Amy Poehler’s “bitch” joke and James Cameron’s “ignorant” rebuke encapsulates a larger cultural debate. It demonstrates that even a small comedic line can become a flashpoint in the fight against misogyny in entertainment. While Poehler was quick to apologize and explain that her humor had never been intended to insult women, Cameron’s condemnation underscored the necessity for creators to consider how their words may be interpreted by diverse audiences.

The story remains a memorable footnote in the history of the Golden Globes—a reminder that comedy, when wielded without care, can reinforce harmful stereotypes, while a more thoughtful approach can prevent offense and promote a more inclusive media landscape.