Hollywood Babble On & On #202: What Are Oscars Without Controversy?

Some gay rights groups are threatening to protest the Oscars over the announcement that comedian Jerry Lewis will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The reason the gay rights activists are so fired up is because of two recent incidents when the 82 Lewis used the word "f*g." (Censored here to avoid offending anyone)

Now, I will acknowledge that I am not a Jerry Lewis fan, never was, Dean Martin was the risible one in their diad, but that's my opinion. The French love him, but I don't really care for his comedy, so I can easily write this news off as yet another reason to ignore the Oscars this year.

However, one can't deny that Lewis has raised tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars for research and treatment of Muscular Dystrophy. In fact, I'm surprised he hadn't been given the Hersholt award twenty years ago.

Yes, his uncontrollable mouth said some things that were obnoxious, even offensive, and he should be called out on it, and scolded about it. However, that does not just wipe out all the humanitarian work he did fighting a terrible disease that strikes people regardless of orientation. Nothing will be gained by protesting his award except making gay rights activists appear in favour of muscular dystrophy.

That's not good.

My advice, like in everything, you must pick your battles wisely. When he says something stupid and obnoxious, call him on it, but there occasionally comes a time for punishment and a time when the punishment only hurts the punisher and you must acknowledge that human beings can be obnoxious and rude, tell them when they are, and move on.