»» Columnists

Woody Harrelson AMA (Ask Me Anything) Goes Disastrously Wrong On Reddit

by James Crugnale | 12:07 pm, February 4th, 2012

» 31 comments

On the social-bookmarking website Reddit, there are few cherished moments as fulfilling as an AMA (ask me anything) session with an interesting person. Previous participants have included such luminaries as Stephen Colbert and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Folks who join the fray often give thought-provoking answers to user-submitted questions and have provided people with a clearer window into the lives of some of the most fascinating figures in our world. This would seem to be a no-brainer for someone like Woody Harrelson, whose pro-pot, anti-zombie sentiments would be seemingly sympathetically received on Reddit. However, nobody predicted the fiery train-wreck that unfolded when the actor’s AMA flung into chaos Friday after the actor took few questions and focused almost exclusively on his film, Rampart, which he was promoting.

Things began to unravel from the get-go, the very first question asked was about a one-night stand:

I swear this is a true story. I went to a high school in LA and you crashed our prom after party (Universal Hilton). You ended up taking the virginity of a girl named Roseanna. You didn’t call her afterwards. She cried a lot. Do you remember any of this and can confirm or have you been so knee deep in hollywood pooty for so long that this qualifies as a mere blip? (…)

This awkward exchange set the stage for what possibly could be the worst AMA in the history of Reddit.

How bad was it? A sample:

In response to Harrelson’s incomprehensible answer, a user replied with a link that went to this .gif from The Truman Show:

A moderator at AMA tried to explain how something that seemed so right could go so wrong.

“We knew that he wouldn’t have much time to do an iama and I believe that he didn’t quite know what an AMA entitled. He probably thought that it is somewhat like a talk show where you get to plug your movie/book and receive questions about it. It hasn’t been removed, he just isn’t answering more and we are talking to his PR rep.”

A disgruntled user summed up how bad the experience was:

Mr. Harrelson/Mr. Harrelson’s PR agents:

You answered a total of 4 questions here today, and when I say “answered”, I mean that loosely. You have also embarassed Mr. Harrelson in the process. Please inform the rest of Hollywood that Reddit is not a publicity outlet and that Reddittors don’t tolerate this kind of crap.

edit: okay the final count for questions answered is 15 – it was 4 when i originally posted. if you want to read all of his half-assed comments, click on his account name.

Read the original thread here. Redditor jaggazz compiled all of the questions Harrelson “answered” below:

[1] The virgin question
[2] Most difficult role?
[3] What role are you glad you didn’t get?
[4] Vegan question
[5] Did you know about reddit before?
[6] His time is valuable, this is about Rampart
[7] Props for Larry Flynt
[8] Another vegan question
[9] What movie was most fun? Apparently he doesn’t have fun.
[10] Best role? Rampart…
[11] Best improvisation? Blah blah Oren…
[12] Studio plant asking abut Rampart
[13] Does acting take over your life?
[14] What do you do in your free time?
[15] Does acting take over your life? (addendum)

AMA, disasters, Reddit, Woody Harrelson

Gloves Alan Donahue

Woody.

Is Shelley Long ever going to offer you a part in any of her films ?
Sean Smith

Hey, when Hollywood says, “Here!” you say, “Thank you.”
Sean Smith

She gets a lot of ridicule for her decision to leave Cheers! And rightfully so, but still she was way, way better than Kirstie Alley.
Gloves Alan Donahue

It was her fault for listening to her agent, Pernell Roberts.
Sean Smith

I didn’t know that part. The way she was widely perceived/portrayed in/by the media was that she was a primadonna who thought she was better than the show that made her a star. And I think there was something out there about how her fellow cast members felt she thought she was too good for the show, treated them badly etc. Maybe this is why her character was so funny – ya know, typecasting. But who knows. Cheers was a hilarious show back in the 80s.
http://www.facebook.com/codemon Cody Hill

Nice comments! As Woody has done; just take a word or a phrase from a conversation and riff on it for 5 minutes, haha!!!
ganmerlad

Reading reddit is unbelievably time consuming. I never did get far enough down to read any of his answers. Some of those gifs are great though. I particularly like this one:
http://i.imgur.com/xUIKW.gif
Anonymous

The chicken goes into the library, approaches the librarian, says “Baack”. “You want a book?” asks the librarian. “Okay, here’s a book” And off the chicken goes with the book.
Next day the chicken comes back to the library, says “Baack, Baack.” You want two books?” The librarian gives the chicken two books.
The chicken returns and says “Baack, Baack, Baack” “Three books”? The librarian gives the chicken three books.
Librarian follows the chicken who goes down to a swamp, approaches a big bull frog, offers a book to the frog who croaks, “Reddit”
Anonymous

Woody sounds like any Republican in any interview or debate- ignore question, insert own agenda item, repeat.
AliveStillKickin

PARENTS!!!
Show the picture of Woody above to your kids and tell them, “This is what drugs can do to you.”
Woody, although not playing with a full deck, is not entirely useless.
He can be used to serve as a bad example.
http://profile.yahoo.com/2BVIIRBV3UDBO3NLO35DAQKLZY Jah

Republican? I think you mean Politicians. They all do it. You don’t notice the Democrats doing it because you agree with whatever non-answer they are giving you.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Politics-culture-Reasoned-America/100001284363960 Politics-culture Reasoned Amer

Hey Woodman, like were you doing blunts, like, when you were on this AMA, like? heh-heh-heh

Couldn’t be happier that this American-hating dolt’s vacuous fans were disappointed in the AMA. Disappointment must come often to people like that, who don’t have a life of their own and must live vicariously through someone else…Democrats, I believe they call them!
12voltman1

Woody can do what ever he wants. I wouldn’t be insulted or even care.
He publicly endorses the decrimination of marijuana.Good for him. He must take a lot of heat from cops though. He pulls sh*t like this all the time. So I doubt he cares what anyone thinks about him.
Anonymous

this has caused him much/many problem’s

woddy harrelson father in prison for murder – AOL Search Results
Anonymous

One does not simply post a “AMA” on Reddit.
Anonymous

She went with McLean Stevenson after Pernell lost his hair.
Anonymous

Say goodnight, Gracie.
Anonymous

I’m guessing you don’t get invited to a lot of parties.
http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

Some of the people on Reddit should have cut Woody some slack!!
Anonymous

Soon as I read his horrible self serving, self plugging so called AMA for reddit first thing I thought ‘This is your brain on drugs.” By drug I mean or illegal or abusing Rx.
Anonymous

“who don’t have a life of their own and must live vicariously through someone else…Democrats, I believe they call them”

Says the person voting for the rich people to have lower taxes in case he becomes rich XD
genius

This site has the absolute worst
comment section I have ever witnessed. I liken it to watching an episode of
“The View” because it has an interesting topic you would like to see discussed.
Instead all you get it that Survivor chick Elisabeth Hasselbeck shrieking all
over the place. No glutton for punishment here, I always check back to see if
it’s improved. Nope, not a bit.

Dan Abram’s, congratulations, you
are now the Barbara Walters of the web. And I don’t say that in a good way…

This site has the absolute worst
comment section I have ever witnessed. I liken it to watching an episode of
“The View” because it has an interesting topic you would like to see discussed.
Instead all you get it that Survivor chick Elisabeth Hasselbeck shrieking all
over the place. No glutton for punishment here, I always check back to see if
it’s improved. Nope, not a bit.

Dan Abram’s, congratulations, you
are now the Barbara Walters of the web. And I don’t say that in a good way…
http://www.facebook.com/people/Judith-Davidsen/100001450863053 Judith Davidsen

Some people, you give them a recipe for boiled water and they’ll manage to use it to insult Democrats.
Anonymous

Its called the New Republican Tea Party. The Republican Party died during 8yrs of the incompetent son!
Anonymous

True! But in all fairness I have seen the same on the otherside on these threads. It seems there are extremists on both sides. We certianly don’t need either. It stifles constructive dialogue!
Anonymous

Thought you liked comedy!
http://sugarcupid.com/

Check my name show.It’s a cool place.rich club →S ú G á Ŕ Ç ú р İ Ď.ĊÓΜ
..It is a person’als place where you can meet success’ful rich men, classy mature women, rich women looking for marriage, or just meet beautiful friends and singles.
12346907853
Anonymous

I’ve got a question :

Woody, do you ever consider a career in politics?
Anonymous

Please. “We have to pass this bill to see what’s in it.” Mr. Obama is the King of Broken Promises, the prince of prevarication, the Tsar of the Teleprompter. His history of ignoring or twisting questions to suit the answer he wishes to provide is legendary.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Abbott/100001145910796 Hannah Abbott

He should have been asked if his convicted murderer dad is planning an escape or if he is taking jobs while he is in lockup. . His daddy is societal scum and so is the son. . .boycotte anything he is associated with.
http://spacegod.tumblr.com/ spacegod

Your comment is so true, you posted it twice.

There’s about 4 or 5 robot rightwads that can’t seem to say ANYTHING but the exact same few phrases about the exact same few things.

And whether the article is about God or ketchup, every comment is that it’s the liberals’ fault.
The fact that the rightwing never seems to get any smarter is beginning to make me actually question evolution.