John Mulaney condemns threats against family after Olivia Munn's Ms. Rachel comments
John Mulaney is speaking out against violent threats directed at his family.
The comedian, 42, said in an Instagram story on Wednesday, June 11, that his wife, Olivia Munn, and their kids have been receiving "violent and threatening" comments and messages because she made an "innocent comment" about "what children's programs we like," which has "somehow — unbelievably — been conflated with not caring about the deaths of children in Gaza."
Munn recently sparked backlash after she told People magazine that she doesn't allow her children to watch YouTube star Ms. Rachel. People's editors later shared that they removed the article about Munn amid "violent threats."
"On June 11, we took the unusual step of removing the post titled 'Olivia Munn Doesn't Let Her Kids Watch Ms. Rachel. Here's Why,' due to the violent threats that escalated towards the interview subject and her family," the outlet shared. "There is no excuse for these abhorrent attacks, and we will always prioritize safety above all else."
Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, has been outspoken in her advocacy for Palestinian children, though Munn made no mention of this in the interview.
"This is absolutely insane and needs to stop," Mulaney wrote. "The people doing this are so wildly out of line and so unhelpful to any conversation. You took a nothing comment to a dark and dangerous place. This kind of behavior isn't activism."
In the original People article, which is no longer available on the magazine's website, Munn said that while "I know kids love (Ms. Rachel)," the "thing is, if I can't watch it, I'm not going to spend the rest of my life going crazy." She added, "These kid shows drive me crazy." Munn also said that "Blue's Clues" is not allowed in her house, either, and that she "can't take" children's cartoons.
Accurso reacted to the comments on Instagram by asking, "WHO CARES?!" She shared screenshots from two Instagram posts about Munn's statements and questioned why media outlets were focusing on this instead of Accurso's advocacy for children in Gaza.
"I'd rather you cover me advocating for kids in Gaza who are literally starving, largest cohort of child amputees in modern history, thousands & thousands killed — no medical care, no education, no homes… do better!!!" she wrote, clarifying she doesn't "care that (Munn) doesn't want to watch the show" and sends "all my love to her and her family."
In a statement posted on Instagram on June 12, Accurso urged her followers to "please be kind" to Munn and her family and condemned "hate, attacks or hurtful comments." She said that her callout of the People article wasn't about Munn but rather about being frustrated with seeing "stories that don't matter" while "children's immeasurable suffering is being ignored."
The YouTube star also revealed she has been in touch with Munn.
"I know some outlets would love to cover a feud between two women, but guess what? That doesn't exist," she said. "Her and I have been in touch and we are both choosing kindness."
In a since-expired Instagram story, Munn wrote that her "comments were never meant to diminish the joy, comfort, and impact (Ms. Rachel) brings to so many families," according to Entertainment Weekly. "Every parent understands the importance of finding meaningful programming that helps us connect with our kids. I don't want something taken out of context to be a moment that steals even a minute of joy for anyone."