The Big Picture

Patrick Goldstein and James Rainey
on entertainment and media

« Previous Post | The Big Picture Home | Next Post »








comedy play in both pointing out differences and unifying us through

They're all good questions and I'm certainly not the person who has
forth in your post.  I suppose you're right that since our
functioning brain."  So here we go.

outrageous things along the way.

and TV shows that preceded it that have even more provocative
those of us who made it.

Ronny Valentine character can be offensive and inappropriate at times and

Will comedy be neutered if everyone gets to complain about every
potentially offensive joke in every comedy that's made?  Anybody can
storytellers, comedians, actors and artists are strong armed into making
creative changes, it will endanger comedy as both entertainment and a
provoker of thought.

member of the audience should for that matter.




Comments () | Archives (60)

The comments to this entry are closed.

Jet Black, I'm gay and a Christian. They're not mutually exclusive. And since I don't see Christians in an uproar over the anti-gay joke in this I don't see your point.

If the line hadn't been in the preview for this movie no one would have complained--because no one would have seen this movie.

I'm sorry did I read right? The word "gay" is now offensive and being compared to the "N-word" and "R-Word"!!?!!...Wait, let's what does the "G" word stand for in the GLAAD acronym? Seriously, find something substantial to complain about. This kind of thing is actually more hurtful to the cause than beneficial. Much ado about nothing!

To TM in LBC

Open your eyes! Your parents were right!

In response to Marco Budgyk, his stand is not weak, but is in fact the opposite. Ron Howard will not back down from what he finds as comedy because a few people take offense to it. The point he's making is anyone can take offense to ANYTHING. There is no point in censoring anything because there will always be personal opinion and everyone will always have a different taste. It's very professional of him to develop a character that he does not neccesarily agree with, not many writers can do that. Also, in the end it is just a word. Some people need to learn what really matters in life.

I am stunned by Howard's insensitivity and weak justification for promoting homophobia. I am an educated, heterosexual, avid moviegoer, and I strongly supports the arts and freedom of speech. I also believe in artistic responsibility. I find Howard's explanation completely inadequate. I would have seen the film without the joke because I used to admire Howard as a filmmaker. I will be boycotting this film as well as Howard's future films. The character who makes the joke in the film is the protagonist of the film, and there appears to be no critique within the film whatsoever of his homophobia. Therefore, the film does support homophobia. If the character were an antagonist and/or the film critiqued his homophobia, then Howard's argument would make sense this is not the case Archie Bunker was a racist on the classic tv show All in the Family, but other characters on the show engaged in a rigorous critique of his racism. That's not the case here. The irony is that the joke isn't even very funny. He is willing to degrade people over a bad joke. I'm very disappointed.

Way to go Ronnie, Your my hero. They act as if they ahve more rights then everyone else.

God bless you!

Some friends and I are going to see the movie. We will support Ron Howard financially by purchasing tickets. When the term "so Gay" is used in the movie, we are going to jump from out seats and point at other audience members chanting "YOU'RE SO GAY!" "YOU'RE SO GAY!" "YOU'RE SO GAY!"

I'm the Gay father of a 17 year old straight young man that I raised from birth. I can't donate blood because I'm Gay. I can't legally marry. I can't serve beside him, or other family members, in the armed forces.

I never realized until recently that I was raising another human being that was born with more rights and equality then I will ever have. It's unfortunate that I pay taxes to support a government that doesn't support me or see me as equal.

Ron Howard should be ashamed for supporting the use of demeaning language that perpetuates hatred and negativity .. and for what? Publicity for his crappy film "starring" a crappy has been "actor".

Thanks Ronnie, for your fine, sensitive, insightful responses to Patrick Goldstein's questions. Short, sweet, and to the point. Art imitates life and then some. So it is with life rubbing a little of itself off on art, whether we like it or not! You are a fine filmmaker sir. Go to it! God bless!

This isn't a matter of "if we censor this joke, soon we'll find ourselves in 1984!" The problem is why this joke is supposedly funny. It's the way in which the media casually uses words that disparage a disadvantaged group for the laughs (not exclusive to queer people). We see more "that's gay" and "don't be such a homo" jokes than we see queer people or characters in media. This is the problem. We look to media to get cultural clues about ourselves and those around us, and for people who may not be in an area with multitudes of openly queer people, they are inundated with queer jokes without exposure to real people. It contributes to the use of these words in schools and against young people. It's not that Ron Howard wanted to make a joke some people might find offensive, but that it's just one more example of queer people being derided for the laughs. It's a lazy joke, relying on tired stereotypes and middle school catch-phrases. Offensiveness aside, it isn't clever or hilarious to begin with.

« | 1 2 3 4 5 6 | »


Recommended on Facebook


In Case You Missed It...

Stay Connected:

About the Bloggers



Get Alerts on Your Mobile Phone

Sign me up for the following lists: