In conversation with The Guardian, Silverman said that while she had no sympathy for men like Weinstein, she was interested in trying to understand what makes people behave in such abusive and predatory ways.

“I’m not trying to have empathy for Harvey Weinstein, he’s clearly a monster, but monsters are made,” she said. “Listen, we spent the past 60 years, especially Jews, trying to figure out the pathology of a Hitler. So to understand someone’s pathology is not a waste of time.”

Silverman added that she feels optimistic about the future, despite the number of depressing revelations about famous men.

“It’s probably been the best two weeks for women in Hollywood ever,” she said. “It’s a better two weeks than the silence of the past. I mean it’s finally exposing it.

“The enabled f***ing monsters are gonna think twice now,” she continued. “And that’s what it’s all about.”

Images: Rex Features

Sarah Silverman reveals her first experience of sexual harassment