GLAAD Raises Concerns Over 'American Idol' Comments

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/01/012006idol.htm

The Gay And Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has called for a meeting with the producers of 'American Idol' over concerns that the usual nastiness by the show's judges may be sinking to a new low.

GLAAD says that it has received complaints about remarks made on Tuesday's season premiere by judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson.

"Shave off your beard and wear a dress," Cowell said to would-be contestant Charles Berry.

Later in the program judge Randy Jackson took aim at Zachary Travis. "Are you a girl?" asked Jackson.

[terrya]

1. That's blatant homophobia.

Blatant, uncalled for homophobia. Inexcusible.

Maybe a boycott of this show by us in in order.

[cali]

6. This is the most important thing to boycott?

Give me a break. I'm with those downstream who suggest there is no constitutional right not to be offended. It's a stupid show, and lord knows I find Simon Cowell et al offensive, so I don't watch it.

[terrya]

8. It's not the most important thing to boycott.

Don't put words in my mouth. Did you see anywhere in my post where I used the words "most important thing to boycott"?

I suggested that if there's a consistent pattern of this kind of homophobiu than "maybe" we should consider it. I'm sick and tired of this crap.

[cali]

9. I apologize for putting words in your mouth.

I certainly wouldn't disagree that there's a consistent pattern of homophobia, either. I simply don't think that this particular case warrents any attention.

[terrya]

11. No problem..

And sorry for my tone.

I'm just pissed reading about that...that snickering, homophobic crap. I've heard it all my life and it's still crap.

[channa18]

2. I heard those comments....

interesting.

[bluestateguy]

3. I don't watch that show anyway

In any event, there is no constitutional right to not be offended.

[Tarc]

4. I completely agree

with the "no constitutional right to not be offended" part. Whining about things that one finds offensive and trying to shut them down, boycott etc...makes these sorts of people no different than the right-wingers who are still having a hissy fit over "The Book of Daniel".

[TechBear_Seattle]

16. "There is no constitutional right to not be offended." True, but...

There is equally no consitutional requirement that I patronize the show, the network that shows it (Faux... what a surprise), or any of the sponsors that advertize during the show or on the network. There is equally no consitutional prohibition against my suggesting that friends, family and other people likewise refuse to watch the show and network and refuse to do business with any of the sponsors.

Isn't freedom grand? :loveya:

[Zenlitened]

5. I watched the show, after getting roped in by the promo/tease.

They made it pretty clear there was some sort of "gender-bending" "surprise" coming up.

Randy Jackson was actually the most matter-of-fact in dealing with Zachary, who was very feminine-looking -- clothing, hairstyle, eyebrows, light make-up -- even though he presented himself as a boy. He tried to seem relatively good natured and direct in asking the "are you a girl" question.

But all three of the hosts made a show of being "rattled" by this TG person in front of them. The worst by far, though, was Simon Whomever -- ironically, one of the biggest closet queens I've ever seen. He spent the whole time gaping and mugging and rolling his eyes, as if there mere presence of a TG person sent his whole little world off-kilter.

So the whole show really dropped the ball, starting by turning the simple fact that a TG person was a contestant into some sort of salacious, teasing, bombshell gimmick. And culminating in the "we're weirded-out but making a show of being cool about it" tone of 2 of the 3 the hosts. (Paula Adul was suddenly all business: "I'm saying 'no' because I don't think you have the voice for this competition.")

I was really hoping that Zachary would have a terrific voice and so be able to blast through some prejudice, but it wasn't the case. He was just your typical contestant -- not a lot of talent, a dose of negative attitude. But throw in the gender angle, and let's all laugh it up even more than usual! :grr:

[otohara]

7. 35 Million People Tuned Into

this show - more than CBS/NBC/ABC combined. My guess is many people tune into watch the meanness. They pick kids to humiliate them and people yuck it up.

[BattyDem]

10. Simon was a jerk ... as usual

He always picks on guys if he suspects that they're gay or if they are the slightest bit effeminate. He can be very insulting and I don't know why he's allowed to display his blatant homophobia year after year. (He's also very insulting to overweight women ... but that's a discussion for another thread.)

However, I don't think Randy was trying being rude - he asked an honest question. He was genuinely confused. If you saw the kid, you'd understand why.

On edit: I know people will say that the question was irrelevant because it shouldn't matter what the person's gender is, but once the kids get to Hollywood, they are split into groups (and hotel rooms) based upon gender ... so it is a valid question. Of course, the name "Zachary" should have been Randy's first clue, LOL! FOX also played up the "gender" inssue in a promo, which was uncalled for.

[Meldread]

12. Never watched the show.

Never once have I watched American Idol and I don't suspect that I ever will. When I watch TV I tune into the History Channel, History International, Science Channel, or Comedy Central. I also sometimes scan down to Free Speech TV and flutter around that area. If I don't do that, I'm channel surfing. I sometimes watch the News Hour on PBS, and sometimes the Nightly News on CBS.

Yeah, I know. I'm Mr. Hip and Cool. ;)

[NMMNG]

13. To be honest, although he was flat chested, Zachary was not masculine

He wore women's clothing, had a feminine voice, a women's hair cut and feminine mannerisms (and no "package"). I can see where Randy got confused. Furthermore, he only asked his question after Zachary said "People are always asking if I'm a girl".

As to Simon, he is all around rude to people. He makes snide comments to anybody who is overweight, constantly berates people's fashion choices, tells people their singing is "terrible/awful/hideous/abominable" and so on, and even went so far as to tell one guy he was "useless". Is it any surprise he lets the comments mentioned in the article pour out?

[BR_Parkway]

14. Exactly, Randy's question seems bad in soundbyte, but it was

entirely in context of the conversation that they were having. I have much more problem with FOX hyping it and using it to stir the masses than I do over him asking it.

[Zenlitened]

15. I agree, Randy was not the bad guy in this.

It was the "hey check out this weirdo" tone the show's editors created that really got the ball rolling. Then the antics of Simon, quite possibly the biggest closet queen ever to appear on national TV, ironically enough.

I was disappointed in Paula, though. She's never met a TG person before? Why the whole "I'm weirded-out but going to be very professional here" routine from her? :shrug:

[NMMNG]

18. True, the buildup was an issue,

But the show does that for a good number of auditioners who are "unique". People who are dressed strangely, have outrageous hairstyles, or unusual acts or personalities. They did an expose on one guy who brought an ensemble of garish pajama style outfits (at least 10 of them) and showed him doing flips in every one of them, then making a fool of himself in his audition. Then they had a geek who proclaimed "I don't like to talk about my high IQ because it tends to intimidate people", and demonstrated his bizarre invention (a "coaster" that floats on springs, so that if you don't balance the drink exactly it will tip over). He also bombed his audition, and was told by Simon that he was "useless".

And two seasons ago when a butch lesbian did well in her auditions and made it through several cuts, the show never poked fun at her in any way.

So while it may seem that the GLBT population is being singled out, they really aren't. The flaky GLBTs get made fun of at the same rate as any other flaky people. We GLBTs just notice it more because we are more attuned to it, just as women would be more attuned to woman-bashing, minorities to racism, etc.

[triakis36]

17. I'm with GLAAD on this one

I didn't see the show, so I don't know the context. But regardless, if it was marketed as "hey look at this!" then some issues need to be addressed. Transgendered people are not clowns and should not be treated as such.

[Ally McLesbian]

19. This show needs to be boycotted

Not because of the offensive nature of the comments, but because this is a stupid show to begin with.

All the "winners" are no-talent hacks like Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken anyway. Kelly Clarkson is the worst example of how to use overused 1980s formulas in songs and come up with a brand-new pop star.

I steam-clean my ears every time my local Clear Channel radio station plays another Kelly Clarkson song complete with its pop formulas. I'm very tempted to go install XM or Sirius on my junk car just for that reason...

[ruggerson]

20. GLAAD is late with my toaster this month

and I'm pissed as hell.