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Is this cruel or should celebs be an allowable target of humour looking at the likes of sporting image?

41 replies

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 04:33

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14614819/snl-apologize-aimee-lou-wood-teeth-sketch-white-lotus.html

There has been a fair amount in the press about this but I wonder if the humour is any different to that of sporting image where the physical features of celebrities were parodied in puppet form. At least in my lifetime there have been plenty of comedians who have used mockery of high profile figures as part of their act so is this a step to far or are celebs now given a greater shield from offence?

White Lotus star is ripped by SNL insiders over teeth joke complaint

It was the 'mean' sketch that sparked a furious transatlantic row over teeth, with British stars leading the charge against the cruel mocking of actress Aimee Lou Wood on Saturday Night Live.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14614819/snl-apologize-aimee-lou-wood-teeth-sketch-white-lotus.html

OP posts:
OP posts:
TheBuffetInspector · 16/04/2025 04:36

She's 31. I imagine she gets cast for her unusual / unique look.

Sporting image or Spitting Image?

FamilyPhoto · 16/04/2025 04:36

It smacks of bullying to me and Im a child of the 70's.

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 04:39

Spitting......

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mids2019 · 16/04/2025 04:40

I think it is a little cruel but where do you draw the line with humour about anyone?

I think if this was the 70s this wouldn't be a story really.

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TheBuffetInspector · 16/04/2025 04:43

I haven't seen the sketch or the show. I've seen it crop up in the gossip columns. I didn't read. I honestly thought she was 18.

31 however. Well, old enough and successful enough to change something you don't like, or trade on your differences. Surely if she has been successful then people don't want the 'perfect' (boring) look for the roles she has won.

It's not nice picking on looks, I'm not saying that.

I don't know what I'm saying 🤣 I honestly thought she was a teenager though with what appears to be all the hoo ha.

BlondiePortz · 16/04/2025 04:44

I dont care what people think of anyone and that included Boris Johnson, Donald Trump any one celebrity, politician, influencer, sports person, 'normal' person anyone, once someone makes fun of someone's looks I lose instant respect for them

And think it is incredibly childish and shows zero intelligence

TheBuffetInspector · 16/04/2025 04:44

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 04:39

Spitting......

I did wonder. I was trying to think of sporting people... I thought of a couple
They play snooker 😂

TheBuffetInspector · 16/04/2025 04:48

BlondiePortz · 16/04/2025 04:44

I dont care what people think of anyone and that included Boris Johnson, Donald Trump any one celebrity, politician, influencer, sports person, 'normal' person anyone, once someone makes fun of someone's looks I lose instant respect for them

And think it is incredibly childish and shows zero intelligence

But whaf I gathered from the original post is -

Is whatever happened any different to the massively caricatured Spitting Image puppets?

If so, why?

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 04:48

I agree with this being a little off but I don't know if extremely well paid people who deliberately want fame are absolitely immune from humour even if it is distasteful. I remember a few close to the bone comic sketches involving Stephen Hawking while he was alive and though some may find it offensive I guess mockery of the rich and famous has always to an extent been a thing.

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mids2019 · 16/04/2025 04:52

I don't known if the DM is playing this for the 'snowflake' angle where the implicit suggestion is the actor is a little precious and thin skinned?

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mids2019 · 16/04/2025 04:57

I mean I remember Bo Selecta and there wasn't the immediate backlash to that humour.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo%27_Selecta!

Maybe we live in different times?

Bo' Selecta! - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo'_Selecta!

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Kedece · 16/04/2025 05:17

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 04:40

I think it is a little cruel but where do you draw the line with humour about anyone?

I think if this was the 70s this wouldn't be a story really.

In the 70s it wouldn't have been a problem but that's because some appalling things were seen as acceptable in the 70s, so not a great comparison

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 05:22

Be a I agree the 70s wasnt the best decade for humour and I am certainly not suggesting going back there.

However I don't know where the line should be in terms of high-profile characters being shielded from parody especially if they gain a great deal of money from thaybprofile. Can't you argue to some extent that if you are famous there will always be some mockery of comment and it is part for the course?

Also is complaining just drawing more attention to the spat? King Charles has had many comments about his ears in the past of absolute silence on this from him just seems like a good PR strategy.

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PilotFish · 16/04/2025 05:45

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 04:57

I mean I remember Bo Selecta and there wasn't the immediate backlash to that humour.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo%27_Selecta!

Maybe we live in different times?

The show is literally banned.

There was a backlash from those impacted - like the article says. Just the likes of the Daily Mail don’t care unless they are rich and white.

Kitchensnails · 16/04/2025 05:46

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 04:57

I mean I remember Bo Selecta and there wasn't the immediate backlash to that humour.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo%27_Selecta!

Maybe we live in different times?

Yes we do, for better or for worse. Craig David moved to the US because he was so affected by people shouting things from the show to him on the street. It's lazy humour. I think ita good celebrities are seen as more human now and people realise more the hurt these pathetic sketches cause; it also means they're less revered when they're seen as mere mortals which is another win.

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 05:51

Yes No Selects would be banned now or never made. I am just suggesting times change.

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TheBuffetInspector · 16/04/2025 06:09

PilotFish · 16/04/2025 05:45

The show is literally banned.

There was a backlash from those impacted - like the article says. Just the likes of the Daily Mail don’t care unless they are rich and white.

Not for many years there wasn't.

I could add that show to pop culture that passed me by.
I just really wasn't interested in if and any time I've seen Leighs Francis as himself... I'd rather not be seeing him. Or listening mainly because I've nn ever found him funny and I was early 20s probably not far off target audience.

There were 3 series, DVDs and it was nominated for a Bafta.

There wasn't wasn't a backlash until very recent years.

TheBuffetInspector · 16/04/2025 06:13

And people would have probably long forgotten about Craig David!

If you lived through... Met a Girl on Monday, blah blah shite the first time around, you didn't want hear it 20 years later.

He really wasn't that popular. He's more popular now.
Churning out 20 year old songs.

Sorry, I really don't like either of them. Probably why avoided it all.

TheBuffetInspector · 16/04/2025 06:15

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 05:51

Yes No Selects would be banned now or never made. I am just suggesting times change.

I'm glad we both have huge typo's. I know what you mean 🤣

towelonfloor · 16/04/2025 06:15

I do feel sorry for her as people are just going on & on about her looks but then I have laughed about people taking the piss out of Trumps hair & orangeness so I'm not sure.

BitOutOfPractice · 16/04/2025 06:19

I don’t click daily mail links but I know for a fact that the DM has only run this story about someone else taking the piss out of her because they want to do the same. It’s their oh-so-subtle (not!) way of piling in on the woman too by giving the piss taking an even wider audience. And that’s also what you’ve done op…

TheBuffetInspector · 16/04/2025 06:40

Kedece · 16/04/2025 05:17

In the 70s it wouldn't have been a problem but that's because some appalling things were seen as acceptable in the 70s, so not a great comparison

The comparisons aren't really well aligned anyway - Spitting Image - Prince Charles, huge ears, big nose. Sorry King Charles, who was Prince Charles.
Neil Kinnock massive pointy nose, massive ginger hair.
It's similar to holiday drawings that some people get done of themselves. Over emphasing features is what makes it a caricature.

The only SNL sketch I've ever seen was a piss take of Homeland and Claire Danes being singled out for being wide eyed and OTT. The lovely Damien Lewis... Just a random whisper that nobody could understand.
That was funny!

I don't understand how a 31 year old actress (actor?) in what I understand to be a massive show, many series in, can be SO upset that it's caused such a furore.

Barbara Streisand. How many people have commented on her nose over the years? I mean blummin heck - I think Oprah Winfreys weight has been documented constantly since I was about 10.
Keanu Reeves, he gets a lot of stick, can't act, is like a plank.
5'7 Tom Cruise playing 6'4 Jack Reacher is in his special shoes.
Simon Cowell's strangely taut face (I had to concentrate then and not write taught).

She's a grown woman, a somewhat famous woman. Well she's had her own skit on SNL now. Properly famous.

People are always going to comment on the appearance of people in the public eye. Of course it's usually going to be negative because nobody is interested if Simon Cowell looked lovely last Sunday.

And no, I'm defending it. But 31.

mids2019 · 16/04/2025 06:46

Impersonation as comedy is accepted (dead ringers R4 for example) so it depends where you draw the line between impersonation and cruel mockery. I see personally one impersonation being acceptable as it is a slightly worrying prospect that FV shows have to apologise for every offence caused to the rich and famous.

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Sandylittleknees · 16/04/2025 06:50

I hadn’t heard of her or the show but at her age in her industry I would say that she has chosen to have her teeth the way they are (and good for her) it’s not the same as mocking some other physical characteristics.