BREAKING: Fox issues non-apology apology for homophobia on "So You Think You Can Dance"

...anything more from FOX other than furthering the blatant homophobic agenda of theirs (cough cough, Adam Lambert loses American Idol finale).  Plus, look at Lythgoe's Twitter page, he is clearly trying to depend that fact that he isn't comfortable watching two men dance together with passion.  FOX still has a loooong way to go.

- Renee

Again, someone who has the show on DVR or tape needs to make a list of the show's advertisers.  And then we'll start looking up the contact numbers and addresses for those advertisers. Next, we immediately start a continuing campaign to politely contact those advertisers and put the pressure on them about what they're choosing to spend their ad money on and how it's affecting a desirable demographic that ought to be-- but won't-- be watching the show while it continues to support bigotry.

It's predictable that Fox would attempt to pass the buck, which is why I suggested on a previous thread that we should start by contacting the advertisers.  That's what will get results, and you're much more likely to have Fox--and the show-- issuing a full apology, rather than this kind of non-apology "we're sorry if anyone was offended" faux-apology.  You hit 'em where it hurts-- with the people who pay their bils with ad money and don't like this kind of needless antagonism by the show of a key demographic-- and make it clear you won't stop until Fox and Lythgoe genuinely apologize and knock it off. 

Fox obviously thinks this will pass and we won't make a ruckus that'll scare their financial supporters.  Let's prove them wrong.

Nigel just apologized for his comment on Twitter:

"I wholeheartedly apologize for my Brokeback Ballroom Tweet. It was insensitive, ignorant and stupid. I have upset a number of dear friends."

But unfortunately not for his SYTYCD comment.

um.....

All dancers are aware when they audition they will be subject to the judges' opinions. We apologize if any viewers were offended by their remarks.

^ opinions?!! opinions???? no...no, see this was MORE than what i would call just opinions.

Nigel finishes up by saying he'd like to see them both dance with a girl, and adds "You never know, you might enjoy that, too." ---> That was just a ignorant thing to say. the man acts like these men are horrified at the thought of women in general and act like dancing with them may make them lose their minds or something, i have no idea. 

another thing....that statement also said they were sorry IF anyone was offended? IF? oh, nobody was possibly offended....there's no way to tell if anyone was offended, was there? i really didn't see anyone being offended. nope.

case in point? FOX and nigel and whoever else are jerks and will continue to be jerks because they can't see the forest for the trees. 

I was even more offended by the Brokeback tweet. But as said he then apologized for that which I appreciate to a degree. But then again I'm still confused.

The comments he said on the actual show are what they are and that's that. Some ppl thought they were negative some didn't take offense. In that regard I think the tweets are even more offensive. As if he thought "brokeback" was just another word for "any two men dancing" and that of course can't be taken as offensive cause clearly everyone has their own likes and dislikes. But then he found it's actually a film about two butch (?) gay men on horses and put two and two together -> time to apologize. Or did he mean two gay men which actually doesn't make sense in this subject since the other one is straight so what has gay have to do with anything? So is he not a fan of two heterosexual men dancing together or just gay men dancing together or neither?

I don't understand why they even showed those comments cause the pair didn't make thru so it wasn't about who they are but their "lack of talent". Or were they good enough but not chosen cause they danced together and the other one is gay?

I'm confused!?

#FAIL

The problem with this doesn't rest on Fox's shoulders but on the producers, and Nigel Lythgoe was the executive producer of the show, if not still a producer I'm sure he's the person who stands to make the greatest financial reward or loss (if the show fails). What a stupid pompous ass.

I want to add that Lythgoe is also used to be executive producer of American Idol.

Glaad managed to get a real honest to god apology and an indication that he is willing to learn from his mistakes:

On May 22, GLAAD released a Call to Action in response to remarks made the night before by judge Nigel Lythgoe on the popular reality competition show So You Think You Can Dance.  Today, GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano and Senior Director of Media Programs Rashad Robinson spoke with Mr. Lythgoe.   He expressed his apology over his misuse of words and released this official statement:

“I sincerely regret the fact that I have upset people with the poor word choices and comments I made both during the taping of the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ audition and on my personal status update. I am not homophobic and it was extremely upsetting for me to be classed as such.

I have been forthright and consistent with my opinion, as a judge, that professional male dancers should move with strength and agility — like Gene Kelly and Rudolph Nureyev.  I now realize how this could be misconstrued.

I have been a dancer, and involved in the dance world, for nearly 50 years. Professionally and personally, I believe the sexual orientation of an auditioner or contestant is irrelevant.  All that said, the fact that I have unintentionally upset people is distressing to me and it is obvious I have made mistakes that I must learn from. I trust that my humor will be more sensitive and mindful moving forward.”

-Nigel Lythgoe, judge and executive producer, So You Think You Can Dance

“We certainly appreciate the dialogue, and the opportunity for Nigel to help further educate people about how words and images matter,” said Giuliano.  “His sincere words are appreciated, and we look forward to words, images and representations of the LGBT community on So You Think You Can Dance that will be fair, accurate and inclusive in the future.”

http://glaadblog.org/2009/05/23/call-to-action-update-so-you-think-you-can-dance-judge-nigel-lythgoe-issues-apology/ 

---

Josh

Author of the Killian Kendall Mystery Series

www.joshaterovis.com

This was the first time I ever saw the show.  For a whle there I was thinking I could get hooked on the competition. It is unfortunate that Nigel Lythgoe's remarks killed my desire to see any future episodes.

about this ugly incident, is that people have posted links to some wonderful dancing clips. Thank you guys!

I don't know if it's on YT, but I remember Julio Bocca dancing tango with another male dancer in Saura's film Tango, and that was beautiful too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGaniQwoEiQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDhui3j1ruE

They are French and just fooling around  with the routine and don't normally dance as a couple.  Apparently they are also straight.  They adapted a routine from a male/female dance couple.

I love seeing men dance together BECAUSE it goes against the idea that two men can't ever touch each other without it being seen as sexual or inappropriate.

I recommend anyone who thinks gay men partnering together is inherently bad to go check out the Gay Games and Out Games videos because there is a wide range of gender expression and levels of femininity and masculinity and they are all fabulous, skilled ballroom dancers.

The mere fact that Nigel used "Brokeback" implies that he thinks it is "gay" in a bad way for two men to partner dance together, ever. 

I'm generally accepting of someone's apology if they accidentally do something or honestly are ignorant about the possible reprecussions of their actions .

I think Nigel meant what he said, the way he said it and he was just counting on folks agreeing with him or at the least not getting up in his grill about it.  

If Nigel had just said that these particular two guys are crap dancers and therefore the routine was ridiculous, that would have been completely acceptable.

The idea that the absence of a woman in a dance routine  between two men (particularly ballroom) begs the question of the sexual orientation of the men dancing is insane.

His entire critique was about how two men dancing together is inherently confusing and  "gay" in a bad way but the fact that they were sharing the lead and wearing sparkly clothes was just BEYOND THE PALE!

Has he seen profesisonal ballroom dancing dudes?  Straight or gay, they ar not dancing in oxford button downs or plaid hunting shirts and cargo pants (generally speaking)

Whether he is a homophobe or not (I call "walks like a duck" but whatevs) he has a responsibility to men and boys who want to dance to not just spew that kind of sexist, homophobic garbage so willy nilly.

As a professional dance man, his words mean a lot more to young male dancers (because of this show) than some random homophobe who doesn't know anything about dance.

"Heterosexuality is not normal, it's just common." (Dorothy Parker)