Universal yanks its 'gay joke' trailer for 'The Dilemma': New promo due later today

Talk about a movie marketer's nightmare. When you're trying to promote a typically inoffensive middlebrow buddy comedy, as Universal has been doing with "The Dilemma," which stars Vince Vaughn and Kevin James, the last thing you want is to have your film bashed by Anderson Cooper on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" as insulting to gays. But that's what has happened to "The Dilemma," which has been embroiled in controversy after a number of viewers objected to the opening scene in the trailer, in which Vaughn is seen denigrating an electric car, saying, "It's gay."

Cooper said of the joke: "I just find those words, those terms -- we've got to do something to make those words unacceptable 'cause those words are hurting kids." He added: "I think we really need to focus on what language we're using and how we're treating these kids."

Coming at a time when the bullying of gay kids has been in the news, as with this front page story in my paper about a gay teenager who committed suicide after being taunted, Universal was viewed by many as being clueless and out of touch to be promoting a film with an insult to gays. But others have argued that gays are overreacting to a harmless throwaway jibe. Universal didn't waste any time in taking action. After it became clear that the controversy wasn't going away, the studio issued a statement this morning saying: "The teaser trailer for THE DILEMMA was not intended to cause anyone discomfort. In light of growing claims that the introduction to the trailer is insensitive, it is being replaced. A full trailer, which has been in the works for some time, will post online later today."

We still don't know if the joke will also be taken out of the movie, but the flap raises a host of unsettling questions. Here's a few: Like virtually every major studio in Hollywood, Universal has gay executives in positions of power who clearly would have seen the trailer before it was released. Why didn't they raise any objections? There are gay actors in the film who surely read the script before they took the job -- why didn't they raise any objections to the joke? Or if they did, were they ignored? And should the onus always be on gays to raise objections to questionable gay humor -- shouldn't that kind of reaction come from straight actors, filmmakers and executives too?

And here's an even more complicated question: This is hardly the first time anyone in a film or on TV has used a joke about something being "gay." It's been in the comedy lexicon for some time, from late-night TV to comedy clubs everywhere. So why is this usage the one that created a mini media firestorm? I'm going to have more to say about this, but I'd love to hear your thoughts about some of these questions.     

Photo: Vince Vaughn pictured at a football game last month at Soldier Field in Chicago. Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

 

 

Comments

[Jimmys]

According to the far left hypocrites, all topics that are off-limits for lampooning are:
1. gays
2. islamic extremists
3. socialism, marxism, and progressive / leftist politics

all topics that are 'ok' for abuse and mockery are:
1. conservative values
2. traditional culture
3. family values
4. Christianity

...and you wonder why the majority of the country detests these people.

[katnip]

My GF (wife, when California finally reinstitutes same-sex marriage) and I are very open about our sexuality without being in-you-face about it. Basically, everybody at work knows we are lesbians and those that dont, need only look at our rainbow wristbands and our hand-holding to get the idea.
Anyways, one day we were at lunch in the cafeteria and a co-worker sat in the same group of tables we were in. She looked frazzeled and after a round of hellos one of the group asked whats wrong. "Oh, that stupid effen computer of mine. I swear it's gay!" The table went silent as uneasy eyes darted to us. My Helen never lost her smile and quickly asked her "how is it gay? is it purple? Does it sprout rainbows? Maybe you got the one meant for me" "she turned a beautiful crimson and began sputtering apoligies and "i didnt mean it like that" and so on. Helen stopped her and said we both knew she didnt mean it like that, we've known her long enough to know better. now whats wrong with the computer? whats it doing?
The point is, Helen didnt bash her for the offensive (to Helen and I) remark. She pointed it out, the woman got it immediatly, and has never used the phrase again (around us at least).
It has to be remembered that educating tolerance is a lot more effective than demanding tolerance. the lesson sticks better and the person is far less resentful. Everybody can win.

[Tadbull]

Yes - pretty simple - we don't say certain words because we are evolving as humans (hopefully). We don't say Ni**er, Ch*nk, K*ke, Tow*l He*d , J*p, F*g, Ret*rd, Mi*get, Pol*ck, We*back, W*p, Sp*c... Yes - very simple - in fact, I am pretty certain this blog won't post the terms (in full) that I have just written because they may deem these words as "offensive"!

Although "Hollywood" is really the last place I look for morals... I go to my parents who taught me better - better than these shock jocks who are just trying to make a buck at someone else's expense. Really Ron Howard - you of all people? You grew up on the Andy Griffith show - a show with more morals than Sesame Street! Wow - what happened to you? Do you need some more money? Call me - I'll loan you a few bucks!

[Roger]

Kids who are overweight get teased and bullied more than any other group. Who is protecting them? Where are the PC police for fat jokes? This is ridiculous. Why doesn't everyone just calm down and stopped being so thin skinned about everything. People who have commited suicide were obviously dealing with much bigger issues than getting teased. Stop blaming comedians and start blaming the bad parents who have raised their kids so horribly.

[RB]

Electric cars are so straight. How does that make straight people feel? Are you offended?

[Ray]

Two problems:
1. Now that Hollywood can't make fun of blacks or other racial minorities, they think it's OK to make fun of gays or old people. It's disgraceful and wrong.
2. The joke wasn't funny and, if we're being honest here, neither is Vince Vaughn. He's strictly a third-tier celebrity. There are a million actors and comedians who are funnier and, frankly, better looking.

[Andy]

I think Ron Howard is being held to a different standard than Judd Apatow's "The 40-Year Old Virgin" and Todd Phillips' "The Hangover." Both movies had the same category of "gay" references that "The Dilemma" has but not a peep about those movies.

I think the filmmakers and studio should have taken the attitude of Warren Oates from the movie "Stripes" when confronted with an intense soldier (who spouted the word 'homo') said:

"Lighten up Francis."

[Jeff]

OMG he called a car gay!!! What an insult! As a gay man I just cant take this kind of abuse!

Seriously people, lets grow some thicker skin. Our inability to laugh AT and WITH each other is only growing the chasm that divides this great country. We have got to move away from this ultra-PC crap. That joke is only offensive to electric car owners & manufacturers. Overreacting to this kind of stuff is counterintuitive to acheiving social equality. You cannot demand tolerance from others while acting intolerant yourself.

Sure, its disappointing that the term gay has developed such a negative connotation over the years, but trying to reverse that is a complete waste of time. Bullies will always find hurtful ways to demean other kids, even if you strip the words "gay" and "fa**ot" of their negative connotations. Better parenting and stricter anti-bullying policy & enforcement in schools is the solution to the teen suicide epidemic, not getting our panties in a wad everytime someone uses "gay" to insult an object or action. Overreacting to these jokes only gives those terms strength when we should be working to trivialize those words.

[Brett]

Strangely, the word "gay" used to mean "happy." Then, it was co-opted by homosexuals, who used to use the word proudly (such as in "Gay Pride") to describe themselves, so clearly, the word could no longer be used as a synonym for "happy." Now, they're offended when the word is used with negative connotations. Why does one segment of the population get to dictate the meaning and connotation of a simple, three-letter word?

[Tadbull]

RE: "Lighten up Francis." -- Posted by: Andy

Hey Andy - I do agree that Ron Howard is getting the first of this kind of scrutiny, but that isn't a terrible thing. Reform has to start somewhere.

I know and agree that everyone needs to "Lighten up" a little. (I SAY FACETIOUSLY) Even African Americans and Women all need to "Lighten up" when it comes to being equally treated to White Straight Men. I mean really, White Straight Men are superior and should be paid higher wages... I am really hoping that throwing people to the lions in arenas will make a comeback! So much better than football games... Cruelty is so much more enjoyable to watch...

NO! People who can't control their tongues need to get increase their brain size and grow thicker skin over their mouths! It takes way more discipline to control the tongue!