Welcome to the April 7, 2015 edition of Outrage Watch, HitFix's (almost) daily rundown of all the things folks are peeved about in entertainment. Today's top story: Bill Maher has been discovered by a whole new generation of fans…for all the wrong reasons.
The “Real Time” host and unapologetic Islam-basher felt the wrath of departed One Direction member Zayn Malik's Twitter fanbase over the weekend after he made a so-called “Islamophobic” joke comparing the singer to Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Cracked the comedian on Sunday's episode of his HBO series: “Just tell me two things, Zayn. Which one in the band were you? And where were you during the Boston Marathon?”
Oh nononononononono
This stupid guy(news reporter?) called @BillMaher compared Zayn to a terrorist. #RespectForZayn disgusting pic.twitter.com/FvuU9kNuCV
– 1D Updates Sweden (@LatestAbout1D) April 5, 2015
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Zayn is an absolute angel. The behaviour of Bill Maher was utterly disgusting. #RespectForZayn #RespectForAllMuslims pic.twitter.com/X8lSRAgVSe
– Till the end ∞ (@xadorablewordsx) April 5, 2015
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OKAY WHOEVER BILL MAHER IS I HOPE HE LOSES HIS TV SHOW FOR MAKING FUN OF ZAYN AND AN ENTIRE RELIGION SUCH DISRESPECT #RespectForZayn
– paula (@riseagainstommo) April 5, 2015
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IF YOURE STILL MAD THAT ZAYN LEFT AND ARE AGREEING TO WITH BILL MAHER AND WHAT HE SAID BECAUSE OF THAT UNFOLLOW ME #RespectForZayn
– nicole? | 120 (@niallerrocking) April 5, 2015
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Zayn, Men like Bill Maher bring laughter to bigots. You bring joy to good people. The difference is called 'humanity.' #RespectForZayn
– Abdul R. Siddiqui (@A_R_Siddiqui) April 5, 2015
ZAYN IS A GOOD HUMAN BEING WHAT GOOD HAS BILL MAHER DONE ALL HE HAS DONE IS SIT THERE IN HIS CHAIR AND LOOK DUSTY #RespectForZayn
– Sydni1D (@PIMPDADDYSYD) April 5, 2015
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Care to sign the petition that will somehow make Bill Maher apologize? It's right here. Try it.
Want more? There's plenty of indignation to go around. See below for a full roundup of today's kerfuffles.
Outraged: PETA
Target: “The Longest Ride”
Why: The animal rights organization staged a demonstration outside the Hollywood premiere of the Nicholas Sparks adaptation on Monday evening to protest the film's rodeo theme, with PETA Foundation deputy general counsel Delcianna Winders releasing the following statement beforehand: “Nicholas Sparks should stick to long-lost lovers kissing in the rain, because there”s nothing romantic about violence to animals. The rodeo is a disgusting show in which pathetic people bully terrified animals who are simply trying to escape their abusers.”
Distributor 20th Century Fox and the Professional Bull Riders Association (PBR) were quick to jump to the film's defense, with the latter organization's chairman and CEO Jim Haworth telling The Wrap: “These bulls are treated like rock stars and we don”t do anything to mistreat them in any way. Any time you give exposure to our great athletes, then PETA is going to get involved. I am just surprised by how misinformed they are.”
[The Wrap]
Outraged: Rihanna
Target: Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Why: The pop star took aim at the state's controversial law during an Indiana concert over the weekend, telling the crowd between songs: “Who's feeling these new bullshit laws they're trying to pass around here? I say fuck that shit…cause we're just living our motherfucking lives!”
God, she's brave.
[Jezebel]