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Well, hello Emma Watson

884 replies

crumpet · 24/09/2025 22:11

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15130209/Harry-Potter-Emma-Watson-treasures-J-K-Rowling-trans-rights.html

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FaithHopeCarnage · 10/10/2025 18:06

Me too - word for word. Unsurprisingly.

InterestingMuch · 10/10/2025 17:33

Yes, I got exactly the same response today from the beeb.

lcakethereforeIam · 10/10/2025 17:27

The BBC have replied in full

Thank you very much for getting in touch with us about our reporting of JK Rowling’s recent post on X about Emma Watson.

We always strive to report clearly and accurately. While we note your concerns about the way the writer summarises Rowling’s post, we don’t share your view that it may mislead readers. JK Rowling has made clear that she believes women should have access to women-only spaces, to which trans women are not permitted. Should audience members wish to read the original X post in full, a link is included in the body of the article, for ease of reference.

While we believe that our coverage meets the BBC's published standards, we do appreciate your feedback on this - it has been recorded and circulated to our editorial teams, to ensure they’re aware of the issues that matter to audience members.

If you’d like to understand more about how your complaint is handled at the BBC, you might find it helpful to watch the short film on the BBC Complaints website about how the BBC responds to your feedback. It explains the BBC’s process for responding to complaints, what to do if you aren’t happy with your response and how we share the feedback we receive.

I hope the editorial team have a wee giggle at my expense. I knew I'd regret even bothering.

Complaints | Contact the BBC

These pages have information about how to complain to the BBC, with links to the BBC’s Complaints Framework, the BBC’s regulator Ofcom and regular reports about complaints. If you would like to understand how we collect and use personal data, please re...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints

FaithHopeCarnage · 07/10/2025 19:44

lcakethereforeIam · 07/10/2025 16:37

Just got a reply from the BBC about my complaint saying, i'll paraphrase, i've not been forgotten, they're still thinking about it.

Me too - the same holding reply. Yawn, it’ll come back like the last one: strive for impartiality; objectively blah blah; recollections may vary etc etc. Hopefully the delay is due to a deluge of complaints - either that or inefficiency. Not impossible to be both!

lcakethereforeIam · 07/10/2025 16:37

Just got a reply from the BBC about my complaint saying, i'll paraphrase, i've not been forgotten, they're still thinking about it.

Keeptoiletssafe · 04/10/2025 15:38

Helleofabore · 02/10/2025 18:55

Oh my!!

This reminds me of the things that I learn off MN. Like the blokes who stick their dicks in manhole covers or anything with a hole big enough on the road or the street.

I never knew the depravity that existed. And I really feel I didn’t need to know this.

Tip: Don’t research toilet safety!

CleopatraSelene · 04/10/2025 15:23

KTheGrey · 04/10/2025 12:33

I agree that EW has seemed pretty adrift socially and emotionally for her whole adult life. Being ‘self partnered’ indicates that she cannot get into or maintain a relationship, so she is likely to be quite isolated. I suspect she cannot find somebody who is exactly right - it must be genuinely difficult to find people not affected by the degree of both wealth and recognition she has, particularly when she seems spectacularly unaware of them herself.

So she would be totally primed for ‘activism’ because of all the lovely positive feedback it would have meant. That kind of feedback - adulation - is something very few people experience, and I can see how it would go to her head, particularly given her apparent ineptitude with managing the fallout of early fame and wealth (= inability to make friends).

So I do feel a bit sorry for her, but it is something she needs to learn about having friends - you cannot publicly shit on them, particularly when that means throwing them to the wolves, and expect them to want to be friends with you.

The stupidity of choosing to do that to a friend without even engaging with that friend’s (rational) ideas also limits my sympathy.

People who are single aren't necessarily unable to get into or maintain a relationship. But obvs sometimes they are..

CleopatraSelene · 04/10/2025 15:22

SionnachRuadh · 04/10/2025 11:53

There's a really good point that Disparu makes, which I hadn't picked up on from the podcast because... well, who's got time to listen to two and a half hours of Emma's word salad...

And it's where she said she was sad because she thought she was going to make friends in acting, and everyone else was there to work and weren't her friends. It just underlined that while she enjoyed acting, for all the actors she was working with it was a job, and for her it was a hobby.

It's a bit like why Laurie Penny is not well liked by journalists. Laurie isn't the only person to go into journalism from a privileged background, but it's just a bit too obvious that she's the girl from Common People.

Not sure though...it is common for actors to make at least some friends, despite it being a cut-throat industry. Emma has spoken of her acting interrupting her social development as she missed so much school. Maybe that's part of why?

Actors like Keanu Reeves & Natalie Portman who say they don't have many friends in the industry are sometimes the more low-key, not-gossip-fodder types, but in Emma's case it may be she simply finds it harder to make friends per se.

CleopatraSelene · 04/10/2025 15:17

Merrymouse · 04/10/2025 12:00

I think she said that she did become close to the people who worked on HP, and was disappointed when that didn't happen on other sets.

Yes, there's lots of evidence she became particularly friendly with Daniel Radcliffe.

KTheGrey · 04/10/2025 12:33

ThatCyanCat · 04/10/2025 11:57

She said that? It is unusual to have an experience like that, though, and not make friends in the process. Didn't the Fellowship of the Ring actors all get tattoos to mark the experience? The cast of Friends famously got on brilliantly. I know it's not always the case (like Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker) but it is unusual to spend over ten formative years making 8 blockbuster films and leave not having made friends.

I'd feel like something is going on there. Not necessarily Watson's fault (she was a child for most of it), but... something.

I agree that EW has seemed pretty adrift socially and emotionally for her whole adult life. Being ‘self partnered’ indicates that she cannot get into or maintain a relationship, so she is likely to be quite isolated. I suspect she cannot find somebody who is exactly right - it must be genuinely difficult to find people not affected by the degree of both wealth and recognition she has, particularly when she seems spectacularly unaware of them herself.

So she would be totally primed for ‘activism’ because of all the lovely positive feedback it would have meant. That kind of feedback - adulation - is something very few people experience, and I can see how it would go to her head, particularly given her apparent ineptitude with managing the fallout of early fame and wealth (= inability to make friends).

So I do feel a bit sorry for her, but it is something she needs to learn about having friends - you cannot publicly shit on them, particularly when that means throwing them to the wolves, and expect them to want to be friends with you.

The stupidity of choosing to do that to a friend without even engaging with that friend’s (rational) ideas also limits my sympathy.

DontCallMeLenYouLittleBollix · 04/10/2025 12:00

SionnachRuadh · 04/10/2025 09:41

I think their point is, and I agree strongly on this, it's not necessary for actors or other entertainers to express an opinion on every issue. Many actors have a bad case of Mark Ruffalo Syndrome, where you follow his social media because he's likeable in films, then you get to hear his banal Current Thing opinions on everything.

It would be nice to have male actors explicitly support women, but since there's only one acceptable opinion on this in the entertainment industry, Tom Felton's dodge of "it's not my place to have an opinion on this" is about as good as we'll get. Public opinion will have to shift a little more before an actor who wants to work in Hollywood feels able to say "I agree with JKR".

Agree, I've also always had the impression Tom Felton thinks he shouldn't have to have a public view on this, that he's not particularly impressed with being asked so much.

But I actually think that's an argument worth making in itself. I am an actor, I have no expertise on this particular issue, I don't think any view I might express is valuable enough to justify the amount of oxygen it would inevitably take up. For many more issues than this one.

Merrymouse · 04/10/2025 12:00

ThatCyanCat · 04/10/2025 11:57

She said that? It is unusual to have an experience like that, though, and not make friends in the process. Didn't the Fellowship of the Ring actors all get tattoos to mark the experience? The cast of Friends famously got on brilliantly. I know it's not always the case (like Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker) but it is unusual to spend over ten formative years making 8 blockbuster films and leave not having made friends.

I'd feel like something is going on there. Not necessarily Watson's fault (she was a child for most of it), but... something.

I think she said that she did become close to the people who worked on HP, and was disappointed when that didn't happen on other sets.

ThatCyanCat · 04/10/2025 11:57

She said that? It is unusual to have an experience like that, though, and not make friends in the process. Didn't the Fellowship of the Ring actors all get tattoos to mark the experience? The cast of Friends famously got on brilliantly. I know it's not always the case (like Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker) but it is unusual to spend over ten formative years making 8 blockbuster films and leave not having made friends.

I'd feel like something is going on there. Not necessarily Watson's fault (she was a child for most of it), but... something.

SionnachRuadh · 04/10/2025 11:53

There's a really good point that Disparu makes, which I hadn't picked up on from the podcast because... well, who's got time to listen to two and a half hours of Emma's word salad...

And it's where she said she was sad because she thought she was going to make friends in acting, and everyone else was there to work and weren't her friends. It just underlined that while she enjoyed acting, for all the actors she was working with it was a job, and for her it was a hobby.

It's a bit like why Laurie Penny is not well liked by journalists. Laurie isn't the only person to go into journalism from a privileged background, but it's just a bit too obvious that she's the girl from Common People.

RIPRowntree · 04/10/2025 10:50

JKR is in a unique situation, in that she is uncancellable. Tom Felton, though very well off, clearly would still like to work. We all know that wouldn’t be possible for him if he had expressed support for JKR’s opinion, rather than diplomatically refusing to tear her down. More importantly though, he most likely wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of death/torture/rape threats against him and his family. Same goes for the YouTubers above in their dodge. They laugh at EW for backtracking, while stating they themselves do not agree with JKR. Why would anyone expose themselves to the online hatred?
Thank God for Jo. Her bravery in speaking out despite the terrifying threats she has been subjected to leaves me in awe of her, even more than I am in awe of her talent as a writer. I myself am barely able to discuss this with my own family for fear of being labelled a bigot. My daughter thinks I am a relic of a bygone era, much as I viewed my grandparents’ questionable beliefs as a teenager. And this when I cannot yet bring myself to tell her my full and true views on the subject.
It’s hard to believe this is real—but for JKR this is actual lived experience. The insanity of the world. Publicly stating biological facts means you risk threat of extreme violence. Thank you, Jo, for saying what very few had the courage to say without the backing of a supreme court ruling, and some not even then(I include myself in this).
I have read many pp say ‘the tide is turning’. I really hope it is.
I hope Emma Watson takes time to reflect on Jo’s response, and it helps her to realise exactly what she has done.

lcakethereforeIam · 04/10/2025 10:48

Thanks for the link to the Drinker's Chasers. I've watched it and it's left me feeling that EW seems directionless and lonely. Also that the JKR word salad was intended for everyone except JKR. It must have been a shock for her when JKR responded, especially like that. Not particularly new observations.

SionnachRuadh · 04/10/2025 09:41

worksineducation · 04/10/2025 09:06

I have no idea who these guys are but it all seems generally reasonable.

It is a little frustrating given they presumably have women in their lives that they think women's having equal human rights and child safeguarding is an issue people 'don't need to have an opinion on'. However, not as if this is news that many men see it this way. I wonder if any of them are Dads to daughters?

And I'd much rather men didn't have an opinion and didn't get involved than were on the side of destroying women's rights, so I suppose there is that.

Though to be clear not thinking about women's rights should not be an option if they're head of HR for a company including women (Andrew Letton at Leonardo).

I think their point is, and I agree strongly on this, it's not necessary for actors or other entertainers to express an opinion on every issue. Many actors have a bad case of Mark Ruffalo Syndrome, where you follow his social media because he's likeable in films, then you get to hear his banal Current Thing opinions on everything.

It would be nice to have male actors explicitly support women, but since there's only one acceptable opinion on this in the entertainment industry, Tom Felton's dodge of "it's not my place to have an opinion on this" is about as good as we'll get. Public opinion will have to shift a little more before an actor who wants to work in Hollywood feels able to say "I agree with JKR".

worksineducation · 04/10/2025 09:06

SionnachRuadh · 03/10/2025 20:36

The boys are all spot on here, I think.

I have no idea who these guys are but it all seems generally reasonable.

It is a little frustrating given they presumably have women in their lives that they think women's having equal human rights and child safeguarding is an issue people 'don't need to have an opinion on'. However, not as if this is news that many men see it this way. I wonder if any of them are Dads to daughters?

And I'd much rather men didn't have an opinion and didn't get involved than were on the side of destroying women's rights, so I suppose there is that.

Though to be clear not thinking about women's rights should not be an option if they're head of HR for a company including women (Andrew Letton at Leonardo).

CleopatraSelene · 02/10/2025 21:18

Helleofabore · 02/10/2025 21:14

Random bloke. But a bloke just the same.

Sadly too many of those types...

CleopatraSelene · 02/10/2025 21:17

CleopatraSelene · 02/10/2025 21:10

Sorry, I see I forgot to link :

To clarify, Amouranth is some Twitch gamer who dresses as revealingly as possible to attract viewers. Unsure why the behaviour of this minority of idiots means we should all be under lock & key a la Saudi Arabia, but X is hardly a haven of sanity.

Helleofabore · 02/10/2025 21:14

CleopatraSelene · 02/10/2025 20:27

Is this in the context of trans? Or just random blokes?

Reminds me of an article I read the other day which showed this X post as an example of manosphere misogyny.

You could very easily reverse the sentiment, frankly ...🤔

Random bloke. But a bloke just the same.

CleopatraSelene · 02/10/2025 21:10

Sorry, I see I forgot to link :

Well, hello Emma Watson
CleopatraSelene · 02/10/2025 20:27

Helleofabore · 02/10/2025 18:55

Oh my!!

This reminds me of the things that I learn off MN. Like the blokes who stick their dicks in manhole covers or anything with a hole big enough on the road or the street.

I never knew the depravity that existed. And I really feel I didn’t need to know this.

Is this in the context of trans? Or just random blokes?

Reminds me of an article I read the other day which showed this X post as an example of manosphere misogyny.

You could very easily reverse the sentiment, frankly ...🤔

Yawhat · 02/10/2025 20:08

Helleofabore · 02/10/2025 18:55

Oh my!!

This reminds me of the things that I learn off MN. Like the blokes who stick their dicks in manhole covers or anything with a hole big enough on the road or the street.

I never knew the depravity that existed. And I really feel I didn’t need to know this.

Unfortunately, every day on the porn-driven Internet is a lesson in male depravity! We all know a bit too much about the male psyche nowadays, but they would bang on about it so much 🙄

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