Ryan Reynolds’ SNL joke ‘minimized’ Blake Lively’s allegations and could discourage victims from speaking out

Ryan Reynolds' joke at SNL 50 is facing criticism for downplaying Blake Lively’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

Ryan Reynolds’ decision to make light of his wife Blake Lively’s highly publicized legal battle with Justin Baldoni has “minimized” her allegations and could discourage abuse victims from speaking out, according to experts.  

Lively, 37, made a public appearance at the SNL50: The Anniversary Special alongside her husband on Sunday night. This marked her first major event since filing a lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni, 41, accusing him of sexual harassment late last year.  

During the broadcast, Reynolds participated in a Q&A session with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, where he made a joking remark.  

"I have a question," he said, prompting Fey to reply, "Oh Ryan Reynolds, how's it going?"  

In response to the media frenzy surrounding the case, he quipped, "Great - why, what have you heard?"

The backlash from viewers was swift, with many accusing the Hollywood couple of leveraging their influence to regain public support following months of negative press.  

Shari Botwin, LCSW and author of *Thriving After Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing*, suggested that Reynolds may have "stepped out of line" with his remark, adding that making light of such serious accusations "distances" him from Lively.  

"Jokes about sexual harassment reinforce rape culture, and further silence victims," she told DailyMail.com exclusively.  

"It minimizes and discredits their experience, perpetuating the idea that 'no one will believe me or take me seriously.'"  

"Joking about sexual harassment insinuates that the victim is to blame, making it even more unlikely that someone will come forward. It normalizes and excuses this type of behaviour."  

She further explained, "Reynolds may have stepped out of line by mocking his wife's lawsuit. People tend to joke about issues involving sexual violence because they are uncomfortable, or they do not understand the impact."  

"Jokes made by Reynolds about his wife's lawsuit minimize her claims and distance Reynolds from being her partner in a situation that is Blake's alleged reality."  

Meanwhile, Manhattan psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert suggested that Reynolds may have relied on humor to "navigate an uncomfortable situation" since his "quick wit is a hallmark of his personality."  

He added, "However, when dealing with something as serious as sexual harassment allegations, there’s a fine line between using humor as a coping tool and appearing to minimize the gravity of the issue."  

"While his intention may not have been harmful, public figures have to be mindful of how their words can be interpreted, especially on sensitive topics."