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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not buy DH an ice cream because--Richard Hammond-- people might think he's gay

150 replies

amispartacus · 27/12/2016 10:10

Maybe it's scripted.
Maybe not.

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/dec/27/richard-hammond-ice-cream-gay-the-grand-tour

Surprised at Hammond. Normally it would be Clarkson. Very surprised James May is on the show. He comes across as a decent guy.

Still, I suppose it will be defended as banter. Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
amispartacus · 27/12/2016 12:05

I just don't like sensorship

Don't you think that role models like the Top Gear team should think about what they say and what they 'normalise'?

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 27/12/2016 12:05

Censorship?

So anyone should be able to say anything they like about anyone? How about if RH had said he doesn't eat bananas because people might think he was mixed race?

Original poster
amispartacus · 27/12/2016 12:07

I would be disappointed if DS used such humour.

OP posts:
Ilovetorrentialrain · 27/12/2016 12:08

'Some people don't like anything which is going to normalize homophobic teasing/bullying'

Yes but this was just so clearly a STUPID comment by RH - the whole programme is more or less pantomime. I watch for the cars / films - the 'banter' is not funny at all IMO.

Ban it / censor it though? No!

Ilovetorrentialrain · 27/12/2016 12:10

'role models like the Top Gear team'

What the?! They're not role models, they're schoolboy humour daft as a brush TV presenters/journos.

Not everyone on TV has to be a 'role model'.

Original poster
amispartacus · 27/12/2016 12:13

What the?! They're not role models, they're schoolboy humour daft as a brush TV presenters/journos

Schoolboy humour - I think you've got it...

Even though most schools are trying to get rid of homophobic bullying, sexism, racism and so called 'banter;. This lot are just normalising it.

OP posts:
Ilovetorrentialrain · 27/12/2016 12:14

Bertrand if he'd have said that I think he would be quite rightly vilified by most sensible people and not only that lose all credibility.

Original poster
amispartacus · 27/12/2016 12:15

Ban it / censor it though? No

No one has said ban it or censor it. But personally, I think it's just a bit depressing that it's something they even think of to use in the first place.

OP posts:
Ilovetorrentialrain · 27/12/2016 12:17

OK sorry OP - I thought that's what you were getting at. If you wouldn't censor or ban what are you sugesting?

Original poster
amispartacus · 27/12/2016 12:20

If you wouldn't censor or ban what are you sugesting

If you have to ask, that really shows you don't get it.

There are jokes and humour that are seen as unacceptable nowadays. Many people are shocked by the 'humour' in the 60s and 70s.

But the TG team decided that it would be 'funny' to have this joke. They would have known it would generate publicity.

I think that's just a bit of a depressing thought process.

OP posts:
Ilovetorrentialrain · 27/12/2016 12:22

If you have to ask, that really shows you don't get it.

No I don't - seriously, genuinely what are you suggesting?

Willing to accept I don't 'get it' - what are you suggesting happens?

Original poster
amispartacus · 27/12/2016 12:25

Willing to accept I don't 'get it' - what are you suggesting happens

Bertand mentioned 'normalising' bullying. That's what happens. These are role models for children. Like it or not. There will be children who see this as acceptable, who see the reaction from some people who dismiss it as banter and then tease / bully other children - as well as reinforce stereotypes.

That's just one thing. Normalising everyday 'banter'.

OP posts:
Ilovetorrentialrain · 27/12/2016 12:27

Yes I get that bit - but if you don't want to censor or ban - what is your suggestion OP?

Original poster
amispartacus · 27/12/2016 12:28

This is the idea of 'normalising'. It links to sexism but probably similar.

inews.co.uk/essentials/news/science/lads-mags-run-sexist-jokes-guilty-normalising-sexism-psychologists-warn/

It helps reinforce your own views - especially when lots of people laugh with you.

OP posts:
Original poster
amispartacus · 27/12/2016 12:29

what is your suggestion OP

Doing what happens now. Calling him out. Making people realise the ramifications.

He may not realise how such words can have an effect. Or a cumulative effect.

OP posts:
Original poster
amispartacus · 27/12/2016 12:38

The DM are on to it.The comments no doubt will be interesting. Will probably mention special snowflake and politically incorrect

[[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4068202/Richard-Hammond-s-ice-creams-gay-comment-Grand-Tour-sparks-Twitter-outcry-fans-blast-making-homophobic-joke.html//

OP posts:
wizzywig · 27/12/2016 12:41

What a dick

mythbustinggov · 27/12/2016 12:41

Show on subscription channel with little current publicity creates social media storm. Now there's a surprise...

I liked TG (I've even attended a recording) but felt it was getting tired and too near the knuckle. New TG was a nice change - but I'm not paying to watch Clarkson.

kaitlinktm · 27/12/2016 12:48

If anyone did watch this episode of GT, could they please explain the anecdote JC told at the beginning pertaining to Scandinavian au pairs and referring to a moose? I have had a difference of opinion about it with a family member.

Original poster
amispartacus · 27/12/2016 12:51

I like this response

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/daniel-welsh/richard-hammond-gay-ice-cream-grand-tour_b_13861354.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

"So it’s important that you - and all of us - learn something from this. We all need to realise that we have choices when it comes to the language we use, and the jokes we make. And either we can use our brains, have some compassion for other people and think, “do you know what? I am not going to give a marginalised group any aggro they don’t need today. I want to be better than that”.

Or we can go on TV, and we can say that we won’t eat ice cream, because it’s a bit gay"

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 27/12/2016 12:57

"Bertrand if he'd have said that I think he would be quite rightly vilified by most sensible people and not only that lose all credibility.,

So why is it OK that he said something very similar about gay people?

Lweji · 27/12/2016 13:03

He could have made fun of Nestle, even of the campaign against Nesle, or that eating ice cream was for children, not grown ups, or that the Magnum was worth a ruined seat, or even compare it to porcupines having sex and saying that you could eat the ice cream if you were very very careful.
A whole range of choices.

But he choose to make a gay stereotype joke.

ComputerUserNumptyTwit · 27/12/2016 13:07

Kaitlin, Clarkson recollected the disappointment experienced by those who'd drawn the short straw by selecting a less attractive woman, back when his children were younger and he'd be waiting at arrivals alongside other fathers to collect their new au pairs.

It wasn't great, tbh.

Lweji · 27/12/2016 13:16

It looks like the Telegraph summarises it well:
"a night when humour went for a long walk in the snow and never returned."

Here's their take on the whole episode:
www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/0/grand-tour-episode-six-happy-finnish-christmas-talking-points/

kaitlinktm · 27/12/2016 13:27

Thanks ComputerUser - that's what I thought he meant ie likening a woman to a moose - and I was so dismayed by that comment (which was at the beginning I think) that I'm afraid the gay ice cream one passed me by a bit.

It's a pity because other parts are good - and then they go and spoil it.