In the wake of multiple groping allegations against Al Franken, many of his old Saturday Night Live colleagues have seen fit to issue a statement supporting the sitting U.S. senator. Thirty-six women, including Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman, signed this offer of solidarity, in which they call Franken’s actions—which reportedly include groping a sleeping woman—“stupid and foolish,” his apology “appropriate,” and they “mention our sincere appreciation that he treated each of us with the utmost respect and regard.”
Here’s the full statement in PDF form, along with the complete list of signees, women who were or are involved from the top down with making SNL. (It’s worth noting, though, that no one from the current cast is on it.) The sketch show did touch on the allegations against Franken in the Weekend Update from the November 18 episode.
In his apology to Leeann Tweeden, who says he groped her while she was sleeping on a return flight from a USO tour, Franken called for an ethics investigation against himself. Since Tweeden’s post was published, PBS has cut Franken from an upcoming Dave Letterman special.