Jenny McCarthy is standing up for cousin Melissa McCarthy… by lashing out at movie critic Rex Reed.
The New York Observer writer found himself in scalding hot water last week after he trashed Melissa McCarthy in a review of Identity Thief, referring to the actress as overweight and “tractor-sized.”
Reed said Melissa is a “gimmick comedian who has devoted her short career to being obese and obnoxious with equal success.”
In response, Jenny tells E! News:
“That’s obnoxious in itself. For anyone to attack like that, it’s just wrong and hurtful, and it doesn’t do anyone any good.”
Fortunately, Melissa McCarthy got the last laugh when her film opened at number-one, but Jenny wants the final say:
“[Melissa is a ]very very talented and people know that, so… He can go to hell.”
UPDATE: Reed has clarified his comments in an interview with WOR 710’s Mark Simone, saying of his personal attack:
“My point was that I object to using health issues like obesity as comic talking points. She is basing her career on being obnoxious and being overweight. And I don’t think that’s funny.
“I have too many friends that have died of obesity-related illnesses, heart problems and diabetes, and I have actually lost friends to this… I don’t care how much she weighs. I don’t care how much Melissa McCarthy weighs. She wants to be fat? She’s crying all the way to the bank.”
What do you think, readers? Referring to Melissa McCarthy’s weight in a movie review is…