From New York magazine, published January 15, 2007:
Ilan [Hall]: This didn't air, but [Marcel Vigneron] had to make this dish about lust and I told him that he's never lusted after a woman, all he does is go home and jerk off thinking about Joël Robuchon....(emphasis in the original)
From Raggaydy Andy Cohen's Bravo blog, published January 23, 2007:
When Isaiah Washington said "faggot" on the set of "Grey's Anatomy," he unwittingly brought a new consciousness to a damning hate word that's been thrown around playgrounds and locker rooms for years....Tonight that word is used on "The Real Housewives of Orange County" when Shane calls his younger brother Colton a "faggot" for pouring water on him....When I first saw the incident, I thought it was gross. I never like hearing that word.(emphasis added)
We had a quick discussion about whether to leave the word in the show or not. I thought we should keep it in because it, and the scene, speaks for itself. I don't think seeing it gives license to anyone to use the word or makes it look "cool" to use the word. If we change the word or bleep it, we make the person saying it different (better?) than he is -- and draw attention to the word, perhaps drawing attention to it than it deserves....I'll add the fact that anti-gay slurs are often connected with ugly behavior, attacks and violence. And then I'll let you tell me what you think about our leaving the F word in the show.
11 comments:
Maybe it's me, but I find it harder and harder to take anything "Raggaydy Andy" writes seriously. After all, last time he posted about going to a party celebrating a friend's new nose job. (?) I'm all for having a cocktail at the drop of a hat but what's next? A brunch for his new mani-pedi?
Anyhoo, this use of the "f-word" has been shown in the promos for RHofOC all week. Apparently the way to educate the public about bad words is to air it over and over to boost ratings.
Wait, for the Brava! network to allow "faggot" on its airwaves, isn't that like BET letting some cracker use the n-word on one of their shows?
Wait a minute... Are you saying that Cliff called Marcel a "faggot", but that was cut from the show??????
Okay, now I finally understand why you guys keep comparing him to Isiah Washington. I assumed it was because they are both black, but I guess it's because they both used homophobic slurs. Shame on them!
Just to be clear, Anonymous 1:11, we are NOT saying that Cliff called Marcel a "faggot." However, we do think that there's a homophobic undercurrent in what happened, regardless of whether Marcel is, in fact, gay.
The initial comparison to Isaiah Washington was more a quick, off-the-cuff, timely joke, and perhaps not the best analogy, though there were certainly similarities (African-American man on television given to wearing scrubs near-chokes a fellow cast member in an incident with homophobic undertones and then tries to apologize on television after being chastised). To the extent this has caused any confusion, we regret the comparison. (Hmmm, sounds like we're doing our own Apology Tour, but for the record, we still think it's funny.)
Marcel is indeed gay. Ilan "outed" him in his recent "New York Magazine" interview:
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/01/top_chef8217s_marcel_doesnt_lo.html
Ilan: This didn't air, but he had to make this dish about lust and I told him that he's never lusted after a woman, all he does is go home and jerk off thinking about Joël Robuchon. And the only thing he could think of as a comeback was, "I don't jerk off to Joël Robuchon." That was it!
I don't know about Cliff. I haven't seen any indication that his animosity was gay-related. That goes for Sam too. They are bullies, for sure. But homophobic? Hmmm...
However, I am certain beyond a doubt that Ilan was definitely motivated by Marcel's sexuality. He has repeatedly made derogatory sexual comments about Marcel, like the one above.
I suspect Ilan is a closet gay man and he is fixated on Marcel due to his own self-hate issues.
while i'm not in any way defending ilan, i don't know if that quote so much "outed" marcel as exposed more of ilan's juvenile sexual taunts.
if was intended to be an "outing", it may have been one of the most limp wristed outings on record.
Well, if we're making "Grey's Anatomy" comparisons here.... It appears now that Elia is the real "Isaiah Washington"-type figure in this ugly scandal.
Elia fully participated in the planning of this "prank" along with the other bullies. She also laughed and made fun of Marcel, even imitating his hair. And she and Ilan shaved their heads AFTER the assault on Marcel. This is evident from the original aired footage.
Check out this excellent recap at TWoP for a detailed play-by=play:
http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/articles/content/a12754/
Elia never apologized to Marcel. In fact, she lied to Tom's face and claimed she knew nothing about the attack - which is a blatant LIE and even Tom did not believe her.
Finally, the BRAVO network is now covering for her - just like Shonda Rhimes covered for Isaiah.
The BRAVO editors have gone back and re-edited the footage - RE-SIZING the key scene of the fully-coifed Elia laughing in the hallway as Marcel storms past her, and removing her from the picture altogether.
COVER-UP.
The BRAVO network is in denial and doing a major whitewash to protect their fragile winner.
I encourage all of you to write to the sponsors and complain. Isaiah was brought to justice due to the public disgust. And hopefully Elia will also be forced to be held accountable for her despicable behavior and the BRAVO cover-up.
YES. I completely agree re: homophobic undercurrents. That's where the bullying of Marcel got totally out of control--it was mean-spirited with Betty, but once Ilan hit the ground running taking pot shots at Marcel's "virginity," it got nasty and violent.
yep. totally homophobic. totally, totally.
my MOM of all people made the prison-rape comparison when cliff grabbed and pinned down marcel. and if my mom says so, it's gotta be true.
thanks for commenting on that hideous Ilan quote....and to think, way back, i had a crush on that asshole! ugh!
They need to ask themselves if they would use the N-word. If not, then the F-word in question is equally inappropriate and should not be used. I'm pretty liberal, and so is my use of profanity, but these two words are the two - the only two - that I won't use or tolerate being said in my presence.
Homosexuals are the last group people feel they are allowed to hate. So when they see this as a social weakness, petty people will pile on the attacks. Yes, I'm referring to Betty, Ilan and the rest. It says more about them than Marcel- and I know this from personal experience having just come out as well. I hope Ilan gets his come-uppance from the press. As for Marcel - I think he's adorable.
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