Harry Potter and the Ongoing Spat

[JsmeLegie]

I see she is now claiming that she was never actually friends with Fry.

Link here: https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/jk-rowling-stephen-fry-friends-b1234360.html

In support of Fry, barrister Jo Maugham stated “Really creditable this, from Stephen Fry. I've spoken to so many of JKR's once friends who now despair at her privately but won't do so publicly, which is very much the British way and why nothing ever changes for the better. So well done Stephen.”

Now Casey Bloys, CEO of the network working on a new HP series, has felt the need to clarify on a podcast that the forthcoming series won't be infused with her controversial views, insisting that her views are entirely separate to the show they're making.

And, as one of the latest celebrities to decide to speak out, Boy George weighed in at the beginning of the month with a few observations of his own (see attached image).

So the question here, really, is just how long are certain people going to blindly insist that JKR is an infallible saint when the (increasing) evidence from multiple sources is to the contrary?

Yes, she has funded a lot of good and charitable works for women, that is not in question, but at what point do we as a society finally agree that a human being is not absolved of horrendous behaviour in one part of their life simply because they compensate for it by doing a few good works in another?

Or perhaps you disagree entirely with all her detractors and feel she is unfairly treated / misunderstood / misquoted?
I'd like to hear your views. They are guaranteed to create an interesting dialogue.

Yes, she has funded a lot of good and charitable works for women, that is not in question, but at what point do we as a society finally agree that a human being is not absolved of horrendous behaviour in one part of their life simply because they compensate for it by doing a few good works in another?

@JsmeLegie are you referring to JKR in this paragraph? If so please provide examples of her horrendous behaviour.

Womens rights, especially those of vulnerable women like abuse victims, aren't for rich, privileged men to give away.

What are you on about OP. JK is a legend and should be held up as a hero for women and girls. She's truly incredible.

As for the odious men you mentioned, their misogynist behavior doesn't surprise me in the least.

Because that's not a question showing any bias in one direction or the other at all, is it OP? No pre-judging going on there. 🤔

Oh yes of course do we have enough to go around?

It makes me nostalgic for our old prim transexual ploppers.

What is this "(increasing) evidence from multiple sources"? Because so far you've given nothing more than the personal opinions of some (very unpleasant) people.

Fry’s done a bit of bird as well but tbf he was quite young.

He ought therefore to be very conscious of just how malleable young minds are, given that’s his excuse for his poor behaviour as a 17 year old, and how vulnerable teenagers are to suggestions from others about actions that are harmful.

The sight of Boy George struggling to clamber up onto the moral high ground is quite something. He'd better hope he doesn't encounter any radiators along the way...

Come on, OP, you're just wasting our time now.

What’s wrong @JsmeLegie

None of us care what these celebs actually say. Boy George and, to a degree Stephen Fry are desperately trying to stay relevant. Sell tickets to latest gig or whatever. Stephen made a bob or two from reading JKR’s book.

Was Stephen really friends with her eg pop out for a coffee or a meal to talk about the kids/holiday/relationships, or was he a work acquaintance? I am guessing the latter.

Boy Geogre, friend or sad former pop star who’s turned crazy on twitter? Again the latter. He has had no involvement in HP

Jolyon. Friend who could chat and exchange quips with JKR or a twitter crazy?
again the latter. He says he has tried with JKR but she says they are not friends, never have been and never will be. He has had no involvement in HP

I have not interest in any media types political or social opinions. Too many people already pander to their egos. And I bet JKR doesn’t have them in any of her WhatsApp groups

Nasty Radiator Bloke and (so much gross stuff that I can't believe he's not been arrested yet) Fry don't like JKRs views.

Er...

Yeah. In the words of the saintly Dr Dame, 'do better'.

So this thread is 'neither pro nor anti JKR' but later refers to 'misbehaving with impunity' implying that that's what she's done? Sure. Totally impartial.

Meanwhile, in the opposite corner, we have two convicted criminals (one of a violent crime) and someone who by his own admission beat a wild animal to death. Stunning and brave, all three. I know where I think 'misbehaving with impunity' is taking place.

I know nearly everyone on MN thinks JK Rowling is wonderful but I don't like her much. Nobody who has worked with her seems to like her either. . Stars of the Harry Potter films, She is always mouthing off her opinions as if hers matter more because she is rich. I disapprove of that attitude.

What MyAmpleSheep said with bells on.

It reminds me of the series of KJK threads, all of which could have been just as accurately titled "I hate KJK."

OTOH I know someone who has known her since before she was famous and apparently she's lovely and always has been.

Do you need to like her though?

I don't particularly like Stephen Fry but I can recognise that he's very good at reading an audiobook.

I don't agree with David Tennant but he's a good actor.

When did we all need to agree with someone's options to enjoy the work they create?

Thank you for this. As usual TRAs activists show their ability to précis without misrepresentation any views contrary to theirs is non existent.

Strange, she always speaks so highly of you

I agree, OP. Just because Stephen Fry wrote some good comedies in the 1980s, it doesn’t entitle him to behave like a pompous arse, unfairly targeting a woman with inflated allegations about her perfectly normal and legal opinions.

Just because Boy George had two hits four decades ago, doesn’t entitle him to assault and beat someone with a chain.

Is that the kind of “philosophical” point that you mean…?

Jolyon Maugham really is an odious little shit, isn't he?

Literally bemoaning the fact that more of JKR's friends haven't turned on her publicly and implying that many of them have been slagging her off in private.

Aye, right you are, Jolyon. Somehow I don't think you and JKR move in the same circles.

It's clear the OP believes that JKR defending women's rights against men determined to cancel those rights = "horrendous behaviour", so it's just another obvious TRA.

I concur here--horrendous behaviour isn't likely to be subtle or hard to see, so you should be able to point it out easily enough. What exactly are you referring to? Sorry if that's asking you to describe something that's obvious, but we're all a bit dim around here.

Well, I did hear that our postman's dentist was told by his uncle's cat, that she was once spotted walking widdershins around a Greggs (I guess the cat wanted a sausage roll). Now if that is not horrendous, what is?