T.J. Miller made his return to the stage over the weekend, marking the first time he has performed stand-up since he was accused of violently sexually assaulting a woman back in December.
The Colorado-native appeared at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Denver on Friday and then headed to posher parts for a gig as part of the Aspen Laugh Festival on Monday.
In that second performance Miller took some time to discuss the allegations that were made against him, reflecting on the past few weeks by stating: ‘Have you ever had a nightmare that’s better than your real life? That happened to me recently for like a month.’
Miller’s worse-than-a-nightmare existence began when he was accused of beating and sexually assaulting a woman in college, with the alleged victim telling The Daily Beast that he punched her in the face during sex and raped her with a beer bottle.
The comedian and his wife of three years, actress Kate Gorney, both firmly denied the woman’s allegations at the time.
Miller’s troubles then grew worse when transgender writer Danielle Solzman shared a transphobic and expletive-laden email that was sent to her by the comedian, who wrote: ‘You’re not a transgender, you’re not a tranny — your [sic] a f*****g a*****e daniel.’
Back in action: T.J. Miller (above on Monday in Apen) performed stand-up in Colorado on Friday and Monday, his first major appearances since he was accused of violent sexual assault
Thoughts: The actor said at one point he wished he had not quit his show Silicon Valley so he could have money to buy nitrous oxide
On Monday, Miller did not address those allegations beyond his ‘nightmare’ comment, but did express his remorse over quitting the HBO series Silicon Valley.
At the time that he left the show he was being inundated with film offers, which have dried up of recent.
Also drying up earlier this month was Miller’s role as the voice of a booger in Mucinex commercials, with the company choosing to replace him in their Super Bowl spot.
‘God damn it, sometimes I think about not having left Silicon Valley just to have the money to run a public ad campaign that’s like: “Nitrous oxide! Sometimes you just need to feel better for 15 seconds! Legalize it,”‘ joked Miller according to the Aspen Times.
He also mimed and played the trombone during his set, while performing in a camouflage snow suit.
The audience seemed to love the show in Aspen, and Miller expressed his gratitude towards the end of his set.
‘I had no idea what this was going to be like, just because I’ve never played this venue and I haven’t really played places [in Colorado] that are outside of Denver,’ he told the crowd.
He enjoyed a few drinks as well while on stage, saying to a bartender at one point: ‘”Can someone bring me another gin in a paper cup? I like to look homeless while I become homeless.’
Claims: A woman who went to college with Miller and his now-wife (above) accused him of raping her with a beer bottle and punching her during sex
Miller and his wife released a joint statement after the accusations made against them in December.
‘We met this woman over a decade ago while studying together in college, she attempted to break us up back then by plotting for over a year before making contradictory claims and accusations. She attempted to discredit both of our voices and use us against one another by trying to portray Kate to be a continuous abuse victim of T.J. (further efforts to hurt the two of us),’ wrote the couple.
‘She was asked to leave our university comedy group because of worrisome and disturbing behavior, which angered her immensely, she then became fixated on our relationship, and began telling people around campus “I’m going to destroy them” & “I’m going to ruin him.”’
The statement then read: ‘We are confident that a full consideration of accounts from and since that time will shed light and clarity on the true nature of not only this person’s character, but also on the real facts of the matter.’
Miller’s statement did not stop Comedy Central from cancelling his planned series The Gorburger Show and his podcast Cashing in With T.J. Miller was removed from the Nerdist network.
He will still appear in the upcoming Steven Spielber film Ready Player One as well as the Deadpool sequel, and has a part in the highly anticipated Kristen Stewart film Underwater.
There are no other projects lined up for the actor at this time however, and so he has embarked on a stand-up tour.
He will be appearing next month in New York for a set of dates.