Channel Nine faces claims of homophobia again

Channel Nine faces claims of homophobia again

Channel Nine is facing a flurry of complaints over its coverage of the Winter Olympics, following a series of homophobic comments made by Eddie McGuire and Mick Molloy.

Commentating on the figure skating performance given by three-time US champion Johnny Weir, McGuire and Molloy began to poke fun of the Lady Gaga-inspired routine.

Joking that Weir “left nothing in the closet”, and making references to Brokeback Mountain, the pair’s jocular routine continued.

Irate Twitter users instantly started filling the site with complaints about the duo’s comic styling.

Sydney Star Observer began fielding its own barrage of complaints this morning.

Channel Nine has been contacted for further comment about how many official complaints were received and whether any action will be taken by management over the issue.

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34 responses to “Channel Nine faces claims of homophobia again”

  1. What? Winter Olympics (O Limp Pricks) …..nobody gives a shit about them and nobody is watching the coverage anyway!

  2. Elise- “All that is required for evil to flourish is that good men do nothing.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

    Actually, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

  3. White Male said,
    February 22nd, 2010 @ 8:52 am
    Wow!!!! No hate for the White Anglo Saxon Male Protestant there huh Ash?

    hahaha well, as I am a White Anglo Saxon Female Protestant and my White Anglo Saxon Male Protestant father runs a church with my White Anglo Saxon Female Protestant mother, I doubt “hate” is the word I’d use for my parents, who raised me next door to my best friend and childhood companion, a full blooded australian indigenous girl with a heart of gold. So “white male”, I challange your (disturbing) assumption that sticking up for minority rights is an example of “hate” for any race. Unless you mean that I “hate” racists, white or not, in which case you are probably right as I was debating whether to use force to restrain a man threatening a chinese woman on the train today, and whether I would be charged with assault if I caved his nose in for screaming about how the woman was “one of dem sneaky yellow fuckers.” I’ve actually requested info on preemptive physical action against “inciting racial hatred”, because as I’m martial arts trained, given the way Australia is headed I can see myself requiring definitve legal knowledge for that situation in the future.

    But I digress.

    Andy said,
    February 23rd, 2010 @ 1:04 pm
    I’m no fan of McGuire and his comments were stupid, but they rate at the low end of the scale of offensiveness, and to link them with Nazism and the Klu Klux Klan (especially without doing basic research- even a casual glance at wikipedia would have answered those questions) is ridiculous hyperbole.

    Andy- no one “linked” them- I wrote “Now why does that sound familiar? Sounds an awful lot like the beginning of something sinister.” The beginning Andy. These things do have a beginning, in the past, present or future, but they snowball. A snowball is most easily stopped when it is small. No one is labelling neutral people or even homophobes as Nazis, in fact if you reread, I labelled those people as “good men”. “All that is required for evil to flourish is that good men do nothing.” Martin Luther King, Jr. I am suggesting though, that if you “wash your hands of it and blame the victims”, you perpetuate the problem through inaction and allow the snowball to gain momentum.

  4. So Lee Etheridge thinks being gay is okay so long as you don’t flaunt. That’s nice. I’m really touched. And maybe it’s okay to be American so long as you don’t flaunt it. Or better still, shut up about it.

  5. Fair go Reader “Bull in the China Shop” That was a bit of an over-reaction.Are you offended by men in speedo’s at the other Olympics as well?
    And the tight thing, C’MON,Rugby league players wearing “Tights” under their shorts,they can call em Torpedoe’s or what ever,at the end of the day,their TIGHTS.
    Also male figure skaters WEAR trouses,usually black.

  6. Elise, the antisemitic prejudices that Hitler manipulated had been around in Europe for hundreds of years as mainstream ideas before he was even born- the theory of eugenics predate him also. The KKK didn’t begin with one man, it began when the southern states of the US that practiced slavery lost the war, and former southern soldiers wanted to maintain that pre-existing racist privilege.

    Similarly homophobia has existed as a feature of Western Civilisation for about the last 1,600 years, and is now in retreat like it has never been before.

    I’m no fan of McGuire and his comments were stupid, but they rate at the low end of the scale of offensiveness, and to link them with Nazism and the Klu Klux Klan (especially without doing basic research- even a casual glance at wikipedia would have answered those questions) is ridiculous hyperbole.

  7. When are we going to stop referring to ourselves as homosexuals? Straights certainly don’t feel the need to assert their intimate preferences? Is love so restrictedd and classified? Yes Eddie is a yobbo. Yes, Channel 9 work toward the lowest common denominator. Enough said? A campaign of letter writing, with real name & address, would seem to me, a polite way of illiciting a written ressponse. A muman being must be reading these letters and take into consideration the time & effort in sending it in the first place. Channel 9 have been outed as just plain rude in not responding. I’ll only watch Twenty to One from now on, if only to bear witness to the amazing make-up of Bert Newton. LOL.
    Love from hell xo

  8. While it may seem like there’s no logic in relating anti-semitism and the Nazi movement to a few comments made by a few ignorant broadcasters about a professional athlete’s sexuality – if you try to use the less superficial portions of your intellect, you might be able to see the connection.

    I’m sure Hitler’s ideas started with one comment about one Jew…I don’t think he immediately went out and produced a concentration camp out of thin air. Likewise, the KKK probably began with one man, one purely bigoted idea, and he recruited others who agreed with him – thus it became a movement from which many suffered wrongly. For every good that happens in the world, it begins with one person. For every bad, it is the same.

    The point of the matter is this: every person is entitled to their opinion, their beliefs, and their morals – but no person is allowed to persecute another human being (whether via action or derogatory comments) due to said opinions, ideals, or morals. Gay or straight, black or white – we should all be tolerant of one another. What if the shoe were on the other foot and you were out there accomplishing something truly amazing with your life only to have it undermined by the comments of an ignoramus?

    And as far as being gay being only acceptable when one is subtle – last time I checked the definition of “freedom” does not hold a clause dictating one’s sexuality. When I see two men kissing in public, it makes me uncomfortable. When I see a man and a woman kissing in public, it makes me equally uncomfortable. But I do nothing to stop either. If I do not wish to see it, I avert my eyes…that is, of course, my prerogative. And it is their prerogative to live their life as they please – be it on or off the ice.

  9. The bull in the china shop – Not all the figure skaters are gay, in fact some are actually married – so your claim that these guys want to be girls, is totally flawed lacking in total logic. Do you let your two young sons watch the females skating ? Prove to me that you have at least one cell in that tiny brain of yours working.

  10. honestly whenever i see a guy in tights like this on skates with a weggie,i cant believe they allow this on daytime tv. if my 2 young sons are around, i turn the channel so fast, i cant help myself.lmao! i got nothing against guys wanting to be girls. i just think kids should not be exposed to these all to revealing outfits by a dude that wants to use this venue to express himself on live tv. i was offended by the outfit,but if it was on cable tv. no worries johnny could run around in a thong for all i care.

  11. Wow!!!! No hate for the White Anglo Saxon Male Protestant there huh Ash?

    The only group of people left on the planet that it is ok to make fun of and call them names!!!

    And nice way to correlate an atrocity commited against millions of Jews because of the race to a few comments made against someone for their decision to prefer a sexual partner of the same sex.

    Of course why let logic get in your way….

  12. After the sexist racist and bigoted comentary from Eddie and the nine crew since the Olympics started he “tried to make good” tonight mon 21 feb 2010 in an interview with a young ice scater who he and other show regulars dissed earlier this week. Eddie was out classed in everyway. The young guy gave a great interview and saved Eddie as he feined interest and offered some kind of an appolagy. Eddie earns how much? Does he really have to make it seem like he is worried what the guys at the pub are going to say to him for doing an interview with someone currently ranked 5th in the world. “still the ROTTEN one!”

  13. This just reminded me … does anyone know where I can get a copy of that Eddie McGuire amateur home-porn video that’s floating around? Apparently its really funny in a bogan-sicko kinda way, especially the tea-bagging bit.

  14. AGAIN……this morning Mens Double Luge……..I think Eddie’s mates were trying take some heat off as their pub humour bad to actual insulting.James Brayshaw and Friends.

    Double Entendres flying everywhere….”WOULD YOU DO THAT” “when are they bringing mixed pairs”…”What poistion would you take top or bottom”……yada..yada…yada…I think its time for Gay people everywhere ban watching channel 9 and ALL their sponsors……ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

  15. AGAIN……this morning Mens Double Luge……..I think Eddie’s mates were trying take some heat off as their pub humour bad to insulting.

    Double Entendres flying everywhere….”WOULD YOU DO THAT” when are they bringing mixed pairs ……yada..yada…yada…I think its time for us gay men to ban watching channel 9 and ALL their sponsors……ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

  16. Quote Lee Etheridge “It is a reality that in this world – being gay is fine as long as you don’t flaunt it with an utter lack for other peoples sensibilities.”

    Quite right Lee. The world is also fine with you being (secretly) in a mixed race relationship, having (privately held) dissenting religious beliefs, disagreeing (silently) with the majority and protesting (internally) against commonly accepted evils.

    To put it another way, let me substitute a word in your sentence:

    “It is a reality that in this world – being Jewish is fine as long as you don’t flaunt it with an utter lack for other peoples sensibilities.”

    Now why does that sound familiar? Sounds an awful lot like the beginning of something sinister. Of course it’s not your problem and you are not concerned (“I wonder how many ’straight’ people complained?”).

    Then again, how many non Jews have complained in support of Jews in the face of socially accepted anti-semitism? Why bother, when it’s not hurting you, and non conformity causes all sorts of icky problems?

    In fact (you could reason), if these Jews just conformed (didn’t “flaunt” or “advertise” their Judaism) they wouldn’t be in this mess, so it’s their fault. Their “choice of clothing and demeanor” are what causes the problem, not my prejudice. Guilt be gone!

    “Ordered to reveal the sheltered Jews, the pastor refused, saying, “I don’t know of Jews, I only know of human beings.”

    Regardless of your orientation or race or religion or convictions- persecution affects us all. You could be (and probably are) a white male anglo saxon protestant, but that doesn’t make oppression any less wrong and it certainly doesn’t absolve you of the responsibility to take action against it. In fact the more priviliged you are, the more of a voice you have against social injustice.

    Don’t wash your hands of it and blame the victims. “All that is required for evil to flourish is that good men do nothing.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

  17. Wait! I meant to say that the crowd booed his scores–not him. I was wondering if his scores reflected that the judges were being judgmental of his orientation.

  18. *rolleyes* Stupid homophobes! They must have had a field day with Johnny Weir putting on that rose crown after last night’s long program skate. I think that he is adorable and I could care less whether or not he is gay or straight. Sexual orientation doesn’t matter, isn’t anyone’s business and if someone has the courage to come out of the closet and be themselves, kudos to them for rising above the bigots who want to force them back into the closet.

    As for the costumes being somewhat feminine and can imply that one is a homosexual (if they are so worried about it that they have to look for evidence), most of the skaters wear somewhat feminine costumes. It is the nature of the sport. Where have these guys been anyway? In a closet…? A closet for homophobes. Well, it looks like they were outed. Good! Fire the morons I say.

    Anyway, Johnny Weir is sweet and his skate was beautiful. His scores were unfair and the crowd booed when they came up. Was it because of his sexual orientation? I sure hope not. That would be just sickening! I hope that Weir comes back in 2014 and ends up on the podium. His skate was perfect and beautiful. The Japanese skater (bronze winner) did a beautiful job but he fumbled a jump. Go Johnny Go!!!

  19. Being a Retired Ice Figure Skater & Part-time Coach I wasn’t shocked by McGuire’s & Molly’s comments as they are purely Bogan’s through and through and it is expected i.e you only have to look at Molloy for example and what springs to mind is a bull in a china shop or a Glutton at a all You can Eat at the local RSL.
    Ice Figure Skating might like easy,But believe me,its a cruel sport filled with thousands of hours of training,discipline,injuries and back-stabbing from rival competitors,And the best of the best,Bitchy parents with the “My child is better then yours” attitude.
    Johnny Weir trained and fought hard and earned his right to represent his country and live his dream and to have these two pathetic past their shelf-life yobbos say these derogatory comments quickly brings back the “Verbal Poofter slurs” by yet another Yobbo,actually the King of Yobbos and Verbal Diarrhea,and the original poofter basher,Sam “Im so-called straight but I had a facelift” Newman when he spewed gay under toned comments towards Gentleman Molly Meldrum on Toasted and roasted.Also does anyone remember the “Hello Boys” from Roy and HG 2000 Olympics?
    I say to them,Come,yes please come around 5.A.M in the morning,winter time included to an Ice Arena,watch these kids train hard,go to school,then be back on the ice by 4.30 P.M. to train even more.The kids are part Bionic,super fit,and they time the hit the clubs,they have the body,s of gods.
    Better then those two fat over the hill slobs & Newman with his new face but weird wrinkly arms,thankyou

  20. Lee Etheridge, Its people like you with your comments make me angry, you simply don’t understand homosexuality. If people want to be openly and proudly gay good on them, and if you don’t like that then f*uck you.

  21. Sheesh..you Aussies and your worries about being politicaly correct. When does pointing out the obvious make one a homophobe?

    And what constitutes a ‘flurry’ of complaints? From what I have read elsewhere it seem that most other articles refer to it as ‘several complaints’. I wonder how many ‘straight’ people complained?

    By his choice of clothing and his demeanor off ice, it was quite clear that he was advertising his sexual orientation. It is a reality that in this world – being gay is fine as long as you don’t flaunt it with an utter lack for other peoples sensibilities. Sex, religion and politics, the three things that will always guarantee an argument.

  22. The appearance of a gay sports person should not be a signal for a joke or punchline.

    (And Dave, Eddie Maguire is many things, but member of the Labor Party he is most certainly not!)

  23. Eddie McGuire should be sacked immediately for inciting homophobic views and his plainly ignorant approach should be played down by channel 9. Again Channel 9 is guilty of allowing its presenters to take cheap shots at gay people who are achieving something great in their lives. Disciplinary action should be taken and a full apology made from channel 9. This behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

  24. Sam Newman and Catholic Eddie seem to have very stuffed up views of the world. It is odd as Sam Newman is a Liberal Party member and Eddie is a Labor Party Member. Perhaps Eddie forms his opinion based on the other great wanker Kevin Rudd, and Sam gets his ideas about the us from Tony Abbott who as even greater wanker.

  25. While most states anti-discrimination laws allow for artistic expression – ACMA does not – so after writing to the network – write to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

    I am sure that will be jocular.

    Just like Cam Williams laughing at a gay kid wanting to take his boyfriend to a school formal last year.

  26. “Channel Nine has been contacted for further comment” – Firstly, do we really need them to say anything more? Haven’t they said enough?

    “about how many official complaints were received” – Like they would be honest anyway, after all, Eddie is their star player, which brings me to my next comment…

    “and whether any action will be taken by management over the issue” – Please don’t make me laugh. Doesn’t Eddie McGuire own most of Channel 9 by now? Like anyone is going to say anything to their cash cow. The people who SHOULD be taking action are the ACMA, that’ll soon quiet that loud-mouthed, slick-hair twit, once and for all.. After all the bull that’s been surrounding another TV and radio personality, you would think these two clowns would know to keep their mouths shut. The gay community should stay strong and force the people in charge to take action again Eddie McGuire, take away his homophobic voice and use their platform for good!

  27. yeah i was disgusted with their denigrating comments about an amazing performance by johnny weir. They should both be sacked!!

  28. Eddie is a slob and a yobbo – I am embarressed he is coving this event on national TV – its not only these comments but that hidious grin when he finished a line or goes to a break – puke

    And can someone please tell him that the ‘lia’ in Australia is NOT prnounced”ya”

  29. Molloy? McGuire? Channel Nine? Can’t say I’m surprised… When will the rest of the world realise that McGuire is a bozo? Not to mention Molloy, who, to his credit, actually mentioned on-air that McGuire might “get into trouble”

    People who tune into Channel Nine should know by now what they’re in for. Boycott ’em!