‘The Fat Jew’ Says Joke Stealing Wasn’t Intentional

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2015 CFDA Fashion Awards - Inside Arrivals
The Fat Jew attends the 2015 CFDA Awards at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on June 1, 2015 in New York City.Taylor Hill—FilmMagic/Getty Images
By Sarah Begley

Social media icon ‘The Fat Jew’ has addressed accusations that he steals jokes, saying he did not mean to pass off other people’s work as his own.

The Instagram star, whose real name is Josh Ostrovsky, has been widely criticized over allegations that he posted dozens of jokes, memes, and messages on his Instagram account without citing their original sources.

In an interview with New York Magazine released Friday, Ostrovsky addressed the controversy, saying, “It was never my intention for anyone to think all [the jokes were] mine,” and promising to label all of his posts with correct attribution. Asked whether he thought he had ever stolen a joke, Ostrovsky responded, “not intentionally.”

If something was heard and written down, then that’s probably what happened. I didn’t realize that if you don’t have a source for something, then you couldn’t necessarily post it. I don’t think that was always clear. I’m very on the cutting edge of the Internet. I’m up on a lot of the newest sh-t first. So, if I didn’t realize all this about attribution and sources, there are probably other people who also don’t. I’d like to set the standard. If I’m the person who has been made to realize that, then everybody else can follow.

Some of the original sources of Ostrovsky’s jokes are struggling comedians who many complain are not being rewarded for their work even as Ostrovsky strikes lucrative deals with major brands. However, Ostrovsky says he himself is not a comedian, but rather a “commentator” and “curator” of comedic content.

In the interview, Ostrovsky promised to review his social media postings and add correct attribution.

“I’m gonna go back and attribute everything,” said Ostrovsky.

[Vulture]

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