Director Ron Howard: Why I'm Keeping "Gay" Joke in Vince Vaughn Film
Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images ; Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage
Ron Howard isn't backing down.
Although a controversial "gay" joke (uttered by Vince Vaughn) was pulled from an ad campaign for his film The Dilemma, the director says the comment will remain in the film itself when it hits theaters Jan. 14.
Howard, 56, explained his decision in a Friday letter to L.A. Times' The Big Picture blog.
PHOTOS: Stars who've been bullied
"[Vaughn's character] has a mouth that sometimes gets him into trouble and he definitely flirts with the line of what's okay to say. He tries to do what's right but sometimes falls short. Who can't relate to that?" Howard writes.
CNN's Anderson Cooper was the first to publicly object to the scene in which Vaughn, 40, quips: "Ladies and gentlemen, electric cars ... are gay."
PHOTOS: Big time celebrity feuds
Howard writes that it was "appropriate" to remove the scene from ads "in light of some events that surrounded the release of the trailer," referring to the recent, tragic spate of gay teen suicides. "The Dilemma is a comedy for grown-ups, not kids," Howard says.
"We never expected [the joke] to represent our intentions or the point of view of the movie or those of us who made it."
Does Howard find the "gay" joke offensive himself? "I don't strip my films of everything that I might personally find inappropriate," he writes. "Comedy or drama, I'm always trying to make choices that stir the audience in all kinds of ways. I defend the right for some people to express offense at a joke as strongly as I do the right for that joke to be in a film. But if storytellers, comedians, actors and artists are strong armed into making creative changes, it will endanger comedy as both entertainment and provoker of thought."
PHOTOS: Child stars (like Howard) all grown up!
Earlier this month, actor Vaughn also argued for the joke to remain intact. Adding his "support" to those who've been persecuted or bullied, Vaughn told Deadline: "Comedy and joking about our differences breaks tension and brings us together. Drawing dividing lines over what we can and cannot joke about does exactly that; it divides us. Most importantly, where does it stop."
Tell Us: Do you agree with Howard and Vaughn, or should the joke be removed from the film?
Tell Us What You Think
30I agree with these gentelmen, where does this politicaly correct crap end. This has gone to far, if you cannot handle a joke as an adult then don't go to this movie.
Oh my gawd! Up until 30-35 years ago gay meant someone who was happy or carefree. It was about that time that gay was being used to identify people who dance from the opposite end of the ballroom. Today kids use it to mean lame or disappointing, it is that context it is used by Vince Vaughn. It was used that way by little Cloe Moritz in "Kick Ass", 'dude that is one gay looking taser' and you know what this is it's the cartridge crap that comes from your gay little taser'.
Elton John is a effing hypocrite! So, singing a song with Eminem is cool, but a joke calling something "gay" in a movie is highly inflammatory and offensive? Seriously? If he wants attention maybe he should focus his efforts on his career or doing something worthwhile instead of being a drama queen.
Has Perez Hilton complained about this? If he hasn't then its clearly not offensive to gay people. Perez is the final word on what is and isn't offensive to gay people in the US. Ask him.
What is it with all the complainers? It's a MOVIE. It's a CHARACTER in a movie saying a line. It's not Ron Howard or Vince Vaughn saying something politically incorrect, it's a character in a movie. I can't believe all the grief they're getting for wanting to leave a line in the movie that just shows what the character's personality is like. The character might not be a likeable or PC kind of guy. What happens in the future if anybody ever wants to make a movie with a racist character or homophobic character...are the director and actors going to get attacked for it? So in the future, they can only make movies that have characters who are perfect human beings saying only politcally correct lines? It's so riduculous. Those of you who find the line so offensive, just don't watch the movie.
I say, good for you Ron Howard! Don't bow to pressure! A movie is like a painting to a painter, it's art. If we start censoring art, then Vaughn is right, what's next? It's just a joke, people need to stop being so sensitive.
Heidi: Why should he remove something to make people happy????? If they get unhappy about seeing this in a movie, then don't go see the damn movie! Why should any movie have to be changed to please people who are over sensitive??? If that were the case, then all of the horror movies should be changed because it scares some people too much. Once again, if it's too scary, don't watch it.
This joke isn't even funny! Just get rid of it to make people happy!
While technically I do think he has the right to keep it in there, the explanations here of why it's "okay" are the most illogical and ridiculous I've ever seen. From my two teenage boys say it, but we love gay people. To gay has several meanings and we can't determine what's being said here, to I say it all the time but I don't mean it as a slur. Really people? Is this how far your average American hasn't advanced in terms of Empathy and Social Understanding? It really comes down to intent, if people aren't saying "___ is so gay" in order to be derogatory, than what are they saying it for? Think before you speak.
can't we ALL just get along??!! It's time to STOP making jokes about this group or that group RE: their age,sexual orientation,religion,whatever!!We are all just humans and we are all God's children when it all comes down to it!!!I know I trash talk celebs,but REAL people get picked on for who they are a lot more than celebs do!! maybe gay people are born that way- didn't anyone think of that? Just like people are born to different races,different religions,etc. If this worl would STOP being so prejudiced maybe we can all learn from each other
Fascinating debate. I'm perplexed why people would be accepting of Ron Howard's joke and yet condemn Tom Linn below who basically told the same joke offending a different group. People like Ardis allow their children to use "gay" because it is "used in their vocabulary every day." What a bizarre justification. Apparently, she thinks the n-word wasn't in the daily vocabulary of millions of Americans during segregation - and after segregation for that matter. The most perplexing thing is why Ron Howard would keep the joke in the name of free speech when the joke isn't even funny to begin with. If the trailer sounds stupid, very likely the movie will prove to be equally stupid. Opie is clearly off his game.
Electric cars can be gay... Gay: Websters Definition #2 - Bright, especially in color...and then there are 4 other definitions as well. Homosexuals do not own the word gay. Get over it.
I am a surban mom of two boys 13 and 15. This is a joke. The "gay" phrase is used in their vocabulary every day. Do I like it? No but... It is not used as a put down to gay people. I have raised them that if someone is gay, so what..we love them and treat them as we would anyone. We have uncles and cousins that are gay..they are treated no different that anyone else at our Holiday dinners. It's a common phrase that really means nothing.
To Tom Linn: You are an idiot!!!!! No one should use the "n" word, ever. But to hear an ignorant white man like you use it makes it sound even worse!!!! And yes, you are very offensive! And as far as keeping the joke in the movie, Ron has the right to do whatever the hell he wants in his movies and those who find it offensive should not go to see it. Very simple solution!
It is not a joke but a vulgar slur against a group of people and their lifestyle--It should be removed.
Are you kidding me? Thats offensive but you can use the "n" word and it's not. Tom Linn needs to sit down and reevaluate the way he thinks.
Electric cars may be gay, but the gay/happy owners of these vehicles might be smiling all the way to the $70 dinner they will be enjoying while the gas sucking owners of larger vehicles will be searching their console for extra change so they can get a burger at BK. For every person who wants the change to cleaner, better and more green; you might find 3-4 other stalwarts who are in support of status quo. I have been called the Q word and the F word many times, and it makes little difference. I am creative, sensitive, soft at the right times, passionate and artsy....but I am all man. We need to get perspective instead of living in our emotions. I posted more elaborate blogs in a couple other newspapers regarding Ron, but he is right. It is always better to be sensitive and know where your heart lies, but we need to draw the line where civility can create combat. To reason with a person requires a rationale to do it, and the common man would not know the difference between a straight and a 'gay' man unless there was an advertisement. Ron would never beat a man down, he would be the good samaritan who would help anyone if he saw them lying by the road. I don't believe there would be any qualifiers either.
The fact that a big issue was even made over this is gay. It's all in the context. The word gay can mean so many different things.
If you can do this in the name of creative license, what else can you do before it goes too far? Is there a "too far"? This reminds me of the "Piss Christ" art exhibit controversy. That used the "creative license" defense as well.
WOO HOO!! You go Ron Howard!!