Arrested Development UK press tour canceled amidst Jeffrey Tambor headlines

After a group interview with the Arrested Development cast went horribly awry on Wednesday over the way in which cast members handled their co-star Jessica Walter, Netflix has officially decided to cut back on promotion for season 5 — at least in the UK.

Today, the streaming service put out a statement making it official that there will be no season 5 promotional tour overseas, with the major reason for that being in part the terrible specter of Jeffrey Tambor that hangs over everything. Walter opened up in her interview about some of the verbal abuse she suffered at the hands of her co-star, and what made her comments all the more disturbing was the attempts by co-stars Jason Bateman and others to try to sweep the issue under the rug and proclaim his behavior to be a natural part of the industry.

Here is what Netflix had to say regarding their decision:

“We had planned to have most of the Arrested Development cast in London this week to support the launch of the new season and meet fans … At this time we have decided not to move ahead with promotional activity in the UK but hope to bring the cast back at another time.”

Meanwhile, earlier today Bateman also issued a statement of his own on Twitter regarding his behavior in the interview:

Based on listening to the NYT interview and hearing people’s thoughts online, I realize that I was wrong here.
I sound like I’m condoning yelling at work. I do not.
It sounds like I’m excusing Jeffery. I do not.
It sounds like I’m insensitive to Jessica. I am not.
In fact, I’m horrified that I wasn’t more aware of how this incident affected her.
I was so eager to let Jeffrey know that he was supported in his attempt to learn, grow and apologize that I completely underestimated the feelings of the victim, another person I deeply love – and she was sitting right there!
I’m incredibly embarrassed and deeply sorry to have done that to Jessica.  This is a big learning moment for me.
I shouldn’t have tried so hard to mansplain, or fix a fight, or make everything okay.
I should’ve focused more on what the most important part of it all is – there’s never any excuse for abuse, in any form, from any gender. And, the victim’s voice needs to be heard and respected.
Period.

I didn’t say that and instead said a bunch of other stuff and not very well.
I deeply, and sincerely, apologize.

We’ll let you know if there are some further updates. For now, share your thoughts below and like CarterMatt on Facebook for some additional information. (Photo: Netflix.)