or was Peter Kay homophobic on Strictly?

[ThisPasadenaHomemaker]

His bit with Rinder made me cringe so hard.

That kind of 'humour' based on the idea that gay men are predatory sex pests belongs in the 70's with Alf Garnett type sitcoms rather than 2016 doesn't it? Felt dated, lazy and really awkward.

Not that I expect Peter Kay to be at the cutting edge of comedy of course but still.

Just me?

Yes, the homophobia relates to an assumption that gay men are... handsy... Tangentially, that is why the joke was always on Eric- everyone 'knows' that women don't grope men. (Whether this is literally true is unimportant- comedy often relies on stereotypes!)

Glenda Jackson was:
a) a woman,
b) fabulously attractive,

so obviously, it was implausible that she would be trying to force unwelcome attention on Eric. Therefore we laughed at Eric.

If Eric had been Erica (there's a name you don't hear any more) and his assistant had been an attractive man named Glenn, the joke wouldn't have worked so well. Half the audience would have thought it was a joke about Erica being a bit delusional, as in the original, and the other half would have found it all too plausible that Glenn had pinched Erica's bottom, however plain Erica was and thought the joke was laughing at Erica for not just accepting it.

In my opinion, the kind of man who sexually harasses women takes it for granted that gay men will treat him in the same way, which is where the denigration of gay men as gropers comes from.

The homophobic part is implying that gay men will try to sexually assault you if you don't watch out. The "backs to the wall" type jokes.

I didn't make that assumption. It would've been funny have he done it to Claudia (because she's funny) or Tess (because she's statuesque) or a tea lady with a scarf and curlers (because that's equally unlikely).

I think the fact that Rinder IS gay is the problem for those who don't agree. Because he is colourful, flamboyant and attractive, and is equally unlikely to fancy PK.

As far as I know, Rinder found it funny and they are good friends.

I'd just like to add, that I understand why people are questioning it. It's like casual sexism, a klaxon needs to go off every time it is seen. I get that. Homophobia, like sexism, is insidious. I just don't think that Rinder and the fact that he is gay equals homophobia - dislike and prejudice of gay people, by Peter Kay.

What about Craig's 'Judge Grinder' comment?! (Sorry if this has already been mentioned, I just skim read the arguing). Surely this was a thinly veiled reference to Grindr?? And did you see Judge Rinder'S reaction?

I think that because there is no homophobia on TV nowadays, or racism. The perpetually offended people out there will just do their utmost to see it anywhere they can. And if they cant see any, they'll just invent it.

On another thread someone said Maureen Lipman was guilty of thinly veiled racism on HIGNFY the other night, when she said Diane Abbot was a loony like Corbyn and did a little impersonation of her. because we all know that black people can't be included in mockery and satire as we are such children, not that bright and open -minded and might not get it.

Calling PK homophobic for this is just as ridiculous. Do Gay people really have to be given extra special care, like delicate little flowers. They can't have a bit of fun poked at them. Straight people cant even parody themselves having old fashioned attitudes towards Gay people, just in case they dont get it?

Maybe it's because you didn't grow up as a gay or bi male, surrounded by other males frequently cracking that or similar jokes. I did. The constant "That's so gay" remarks, the "hilarious gay voice", and yes, the 'watch out, he's gay and will try having sex with you if you're not careful' comments. No massive, but persistent and negative, and makes you feel isolated and wrong. And it's 2016 for Santa's sake. I'm fed up with people like Peter Kay and his unfunny 70's sense of humour.

Somebody on a comments bit on Pink News said this, and I agree with it:

"I wonder if he would have made a 'corner shop' joke to an Indian contestant; or pretended that a black contestant had tried to steal his wallet. It's all that type of playing on a gratuitous stereotype which I was rather hoping had been left behind by at the latest the 1980s. Seemingly not.

And whilst I'm not 'offended', it's more a heavy sigh and a roll of the eyes."

Datun, I don't know whether PK is generally homophobic, but his joke does rely on an old tired "prejudice" against gay men.

Frankly, I would generally hesitate to declare that anyone is totally free of homophobic, sexist or racist attitudes. These things go deep. The best, and simultaneously the least, we can do is try to analyse our behaviour and be willing to listen to people at the sharp end who think we are behaving in a homophobic, sexist or racist way.

I haven't seen a clip of the Judge Grinder comment, so I haven't commented on that, but it sounds far from acceptable either. I bet it was a ref to Grindr.

RR is stuck- if he comments on these publicly to say anything other than "we're BFF and it's all fine",

Posted too soon-

RR is stuck- if he comments on these publicly to say anything other than "we're BFF and it's all fine", there will be a deluge of outraged responses from PK fans, and others, eager to accuse him of being over-sensitive, over-thinking, and all the other usual words.

TaraCarter

I totally understand.

The very fact that it is questioned is a good thing. Personally, I don't think it was homophobic. But I absolutely think it's a good thing to question it.

Glenda Jackson beautiful?

Chocolate bar?

Ha ! In terms of an actress - sexy then, a maverick. I couldn't decide if I wanted to be her or be with him in A Touch of Class. Is she the one Eric Morcombe called Sonny? Sexist pig.

I think that because there is no homophobia on TV nowadays, or racism.

Ha ha ha ha ha. Brilliant.

I think that because there is no homophobia on TV nowadays, or racism.
Ha ha ha ha ha. Brilliant.

I know! What a laugh.

I'm with you, Tiggy. It's 2016, for fuck's sake.

And yes, Glenda Jackson was –is – stunningly beautiful.

Beautiful? Glenda Jackson? Frankly, she should have been grateful Eric Morecambe looked at her twice...........most men wouldn't......

That last post brought to you by your "hear that whooshing sound? It's the point flying past your left ear" correspondent.

Was that meant for me, or Exit, Bertrand?

Just for all the "He would have said exactly the same if he had been standing next to a woman, it's just like Eric Morecambe" posters........