John Mulaney blasts Olivia Munn death threats over Ms. Rachel comments

John Mulaney says the reaction to wife Olivia Munn‘s comments about kids shows has been vicious.

“An innocent comment my wife Olivia Munn made about what children’s programs we like has somehow — unbelievably — been conflated with not caring about the deaths of children in Gaza,” he wrote on Instagram Wednesday. “Because of this, my wife and my two kids are now receiving violent and threatening comments and messages in her DMs. This is absolutely insane and needs to stop. The people doing this are so wildly out of line and so unhelpful to any conversation. You took a nothing comment to a dark and dangerous place. This kind of behavior isn’t activism.”

Mulaney and Munn married in July 2024, after having dated since May 2021. They share 3-year-old son, Malcolm, and daughter, Méi, who was born in September.

As the Your Friends & Neighbors explained in a recent interview with PEOPLE, which is no longer on the publication’s website, she just can’t take watching programs for the little ones, including educational videos from Rachel Accurso, who uses the name Ms. Rachel.

“I know kids love [Ms. Rachel], but the thing is, if I can’t watch it, I’m not going to spend the rest of my life going crazy,” Munn said. “These kid shows drive me crazy.”

She added, “Malcolm asked for Blue’s Clues, and I don’t know who showed him Blue’s Clues, but they are on my s— list now. I said, ‘Hell no. Not in my house.'”

She made an exception for PBS Kids’ animated Mr. Rogers spinoff Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

But the backlash was so strong that Munn explained in a statement: “To Ms. Rachel and her fans, I hear and respect the passion behind your support. I never anticipated the media would single out one small thing I said and distort it like they have. My comments were never meant to diminish the joy, comfort, and impact she brings to so many families. Every parent understands the importance of finding meaningful programming that helps us connect with our kids. I don’t want something taken out of context to be a moment that steals even a minute of joy for anyone.”

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Accurso offered her own response. Under photos of news stories about Munn’s words, she wrote, “WHO CARES?! I’d rather you cover me advocating for kids in Gaza who are literally starving, largest cohort of child amputees in modern history, thousands & thousands killed – no medical care, no education, no homes… do better!!!”

She was careful to add, “Not against her at all and don’t care that she doesn’t want to watch the show — all my love to her and her family — disappointed in the outlets.”