BBC3’s jokes about Lindsay Lohan and lesbians found to be “crude and offensive”
October 21st, 2009
A BBC 3 programme which included derogatory comments about Lindsay Lohan and Sam Ronson breached the BBC’s editorial standards, according to the Trust’s Editorial Standards Committee (ESC).
The programme Most Annoying People: 2008 was a countdown show broadcast in December 2008. At number 43 on the list were former celebrity lesbian couple Lindsay Lohan and Sam Ronson.
While discussing the couple, BBC radio presenter Spoony said: “Let the munters and mingers get each other. That’s cool. Nobody wants them. But when they’re hot and fit - hollywood superstars - they should be saved for guys like… well not me, but, you know, other guys.”
Porn actor Ron Jeremy also made several references to performing sex acts on Lindsay Lohan.
In January 2009 the BBC dismissed complaints about the show as “light hearted”. However, the ESC has now decided that the complaints made were valid and the presenters remarks reinforced negative stereotypes about lesbians.
Ina statement, the ESC declared that “The remarks made by DJ Spoony and Ron Jeremy were crude and offensive in their targeting of Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson.
“Even given the wider context of the programme as being ‘irreverent’ and focusing on the lighter side of celebrity, the committee believed these particular remarks exceeded the expectations of an audience familiar with the BBC’s broadcasting values.
“Rather than ’sending up a common attitude adopted by heterosexual people,’ the committee believed that it appeared to reinforce stereotypical views.
“The committee concluded that these comments were offensive and made stereotypical assumptions which were not editorially justified. On this basis the programme was in breach of the editorial guidelines.”
The BBC and DJ Spoony will not face any punishments for the show. However if the show is ever repeated the offending clips must be removed from the broadcast.
hey should be saved for guys like… well not me, but, you know, other guys.”
yet another example of the subtle yet damaging belief held by some hetro males that they own womens sexuality.
Allie ∼ January 27th, 2010 7:51 pmHey Allie, I agree.
It some ways, it is not surprising that comments like this are still around, given that we live in such a phallo-centric and heteronormative society. People still find it hard to take lesbians seriously. They are not seen as valid sexual entities, as demonstrated by DJ Spoony’s ridiculous beliefs, like what he said in the programme. Not only this- I watched the programme before myself, and I can only say that Lindsay and Samantha were featured on this show for no other reason than their relationship, so that in titself is typicaly homophobic. Our state-sponsered media fail to please again.. yawn…
Tallulah ∼ January 28th, 2010 7:06 pm