Making Fun Of Ledger's Death: Not So Funny!
Filed under: Gay Gay Gay > Australiastic > Media Minute > Heath Ledger
Petitions are being signed and offended parties are mobilizing in response to Fox News Radio host John Gibson's homophobic and inappropriate mocking of Heath Ledger's death.
We reported last night about Gibson's disgusting behavior and have vowed to boycott his show, which we've been on in the past, unless he apologizes.
Hopefully some action will be taken against him by the higher-ups at Fox.
Now, GLAAD has jumped into the fray as well.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has denounced Gibson's behavior and just released the following call to action, something we suggested our readers do earlier too.
They say:
"January 24, 2008
Fox News Host John Gibson Cruelly Mocks Heath Ledger's Death and his Role in Brokeback Mountain
In the wake of Heath Ledger's death, people around the world are mourning the gifted actor's passing and are expressing their appreciation for how he changed hearts and minds with his Oscar-nominated role as a gay cowboy in 2005's Brokeback Mountain.
In a stark and disturbing contrast, Fox News Radio host John Gibson cruelly mocked Ledger's death and his role in Brokeback Mountain during his Jan. 22 John Gibson Show radio broadcast. During the show, Gibson played an audio clip from the film of Jake Gyllenhaal's character, Jack, telling Ennis (played by Ledger), "I wish I knew how to quit you." Gibson then coldly quipped, "Well, he found out how to quit you." Then, after playing another audio clip from the movie of Ledger's character saying, "We're dead," Gibson mockingly said, "We're dead" and played the clip again.
“Gibson’s remarks are vulgar and disgusting,” said Rashad Robinson, GLAAD’s Senior Director of Media Programs. “It’s sickening that Gibson would exploit Heath Ledger’s tragic death to promote such hurtful intolerance. And to do so at a time when family and friends are grieving shows a level of insensitivity that is beyond the pale.”
Beyond his mockery of Ledger's role in Brokeback Mountain, Gibson called the actor a "weirdo" with "a serious drug problem," and callously speculated on the reasons Ledger might have committed suicide. Gibson had previously mocked Brokeback Mountain–calling it a "gay agenda movie" on his Fox News TV program in 2006.
Listen to Clip:
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/23/gibson-mocks-ledger/
Gibson’s Past Comments on Brokeback Mountain:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,180499,00.html
TAKE ACTION NOW!
GLAAD strongly urges you to contact Fox News and ask its representatives why they continue to provide a platform for John Gibson's cruel and tasteless comments.
Please contact:
Mr. Mitch Davis
Vice President
Fox News Radio Network
1211 Avenue Of The Americas
18th Floor
New York, NY 10036-8701
Direct Phone: *212-301-5800
Outlet Fax: *212-301-5455
Outlet Phone: 212-301-3000
Email: mitch.davis@foxnews.com
Mr. Robert Finnerty
Senior Vice President
Fox News Radio Network
1211 Avenue Of The Americas
18th Floor
New York, NY 10036-8701
Direct Phone: *212-301-5800
Outlet Fax: *212-301-5455
Outlet Phone: 212-301-3000
Email: robert.finnerty@foxnews.com
Ms. Irena Briganti
Vice President of Public Relations
FOX News Channel
1211 Avenue Of The Americas
Lowr C1
New York, NY 10036
Direct Phone : *212-301-3608
Outlet Fax : *212-382-1411
Outlet Phone : 212-301-3000
Email: irena.briganti@foxnews.com
Contact by: E-mail
Ms. Suzanne Scott
Vice President, Programming
FOX News Channel
1211 Avenue Of The Americas
Lowr C1
New York, NY 10036
Direct Phone : *212-301-8558
Outlet Fax : *212-382-1411
Outlet Phone : 212-301-3000
Email: suzanne.scott@foxnews.com
foxnewsradio@foxnews.com
gibsonradio@foxnews.com
JOHN GIBSON
john.gibson@foxnews.com
212-301-3000
Please also see MSNBC Hosts, Keith Olberman and Dan Abrams’ reaction to Gibson’s on-air remarks.
It sooooooo sad to see that people in this society with no life will critized someone did his job
you are cunt John Gisbon and logical thinking
I did not know that thinking through your asshole is logical
Re: well – first of all, there's this wonderful thing called a CONDOM, and there's no "super" bug, that's just what they tell straighties so they wont feel compelled to be "a little curious"
know what ur talking about and think before you speak.
why doesnt anyone know what they're talking about when they say something? FREE SPEECH is "free" as long as you dont do any character assasinations, including no libel, no slander, and no hate speech.
WHAT A FUCKIN DIRTBAG!!!
Wow, I bet he thought he was funny. He's just another old jack-ass making Gay jokes. Most of the time the ones making the gay jokes are closet homosexuals. Send hate mail: john.gibson@foxnews.com
i hope they fire his stupid ass
as a mother of 4, I am sickened that Fox news would have their offices on the avenue of the Americas… because this, I would hope is not business in America (however, we allow it on our airwaves… run that man out). We need to demand more from entertainment (perhaps the likes of Heath Ledgers brilliant performance of a man with struggle and lonliness in Brokeback Mountain) and do away with simple minded idiots who are more insane than Britney(at least she can sing and dance) on the airwaves. This is a great lesson for my kids… be someone…unlike this idiot.