Welcome to the March 3, 2015 edition of Outrage Watch, HitFix's (almost) daily rundown of all the things folks are angry about in entertainment. Today's top story: FOX's new comedy “The Last Man on Earth” is…sexist?
Dubbing herself “the only critic on Earth who doesn't like” FOX's generally-acclaimed new comedy, Huffington Post TV critic Maureen Ryan not only calls Will Forte's character “a self-pitying, predictable bore” but takes aim at the show's “disappointing” gender politics: “The fact is, the writing for Carol [played by Kristen Schaal] is frequently awful and one-note and generally casts her into the thankless role of the hectoring woman who exists to remind a lead male character of rules, laws and social norms. It's generally not a great look for any character, but it's the kind of character that women on TV are frequently thrust into, even on ambitious dramas that should know better.”
Want more? There's plenty of indignation to go around. See below for a full roundup of today's kerfuffles.
Outraged: Daily Beast contributor Stereo Williams
Target: Iggy Azalea and her high-profile defenders
Why: “Iggy performs as a caricature of American blackness,” writes Daily Beast contributor Stereo Williams in a new piece that also slams hip-hop performers/producers T.I., Lupe Fiasco, will.i.am and Nelly for defending her. “She”s much closer to post-fame Vanilla Ice than she is to Eminem at any point in his career. It”s not 'hating' to recognize how white privilege has garnered her a certain amount of attention, nor is it off-base to acknowledge how being a white girl who models can help a rapper land major mag covers.”
The piece is best read in its full context, but that Vanilla Ice burn is…harsh.
Outraged: Bobby Brown
Target: TMZ
Why: Brown's attorney has slammed a TMZ report that alleges the family of Bobbi Kristina is in production on a reality show centering around her ongoing hospitalization, calling the allegations “plain insanity”: “Yet again, TMZ has chosen to engage in false news reporting,” attorney Christopher Brown said in a statement. “There is no Brown family reality show that is in production which chronicles Bobby Brown, Bobbi Kristina or the medical emergency she presently faces at Emory Hospital. These reports are irresponsible and Warner Brothers as the owner of TMZ, should be ashamed to publish such nonsense, particularly one day before Bobbi Kristina”s birthday.” Consider TMZ remorse-stricken.
[The Wrap]
Outraged: Actual medical doctors
Target: Anti-vaccine parents
Why: In the course of making a direct plea to anti-vaccine advocates on last night's episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the late-night host took a dig at former “The View” co-host Jenny McCarthy with the line, “You probably aren”t going to take medical advice from a talk show host, and I don”t expect you to” before seguing into a video montage of real medical doctors who increasingly find themselves baffled — outraged, even! — over the idea that in 2015 they actually have to explain to people why it's necessary to inoculate their children. Let's hear it for this doctor: “I cannot f-king believe we have to make this PSA.” Neither can more than 80 percent of Americans.
Outraged: Deadspin contributor Greg Howard
Target: UFC president Dana White
Why: Howard has taken issue with White's comments that the undefeated mixed-martial arts champion is the “female version” of former heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson, writing in part: “Saying She's so great, but let's imagine what she could be if she were/if she fought a man! doesn't exactly illegitimize her, but it strips her of her accomplishments. It's a pointless, condescending exercise, and more than that it misses the most exciting thing about Rousey.” He concludes by stating that Rousey “isn't the second coming of or the female version of anyone. Ronda Rousey is the first Ronda Rousey, and that's all she has to be.” Watch this video and tell me you don't agree.
[Deadspin]
Outraged: A number of Taylor Swift super-fans
Target: Taylor Swift super-fan Johnnie, Taylor Swift
Why: After the pop superstar was caught planting a kiss on Johnnie's cheek at last week's BRIT Awards, a number of her admirers took umbrage with the smooch because…Johnnie's a bully, apparently. Several even posted screenshots of his derogatory comments, including one in which he claims Swiftie @BrooklynSwift's Instagram feed is “so ugly”:
Some were allegedly so upset with Taylor's photo op that the hashtag #SwiftiesWantTaylorSwiftDead actually began trending on Twitter, which is, it goes without saying, a totally healthy and appropriate response to this earth-shattering controversy.
Get Buzzfeed contributor Ellie Woodward's full rundown of this important developing news story here.
Outraged: Liz Smith
Target: Kelly Osbourne
Why: Liz Smith is still around! The Grand Dame of Dish dinged Kelly Osbourne in her Monday column for leaving “Fashion Police” over the Giuliana Rancic dustup, saying in part: “Osbourne, who is everybody's best friend, wildly objected and threw Rancic under the bus. Giuliana was forced into one of those humiliating PC-fueled 'apologies.' At one point, Kelly tweeted she was 'thinking about leaving the show.' From your mouth to God's ear, honey.”
92 years old! God love her.