“Late Show with David Letterman” Contributes to Problematic Reporting on Amanda Simpson
Yesterday we reported on President Obama’s appointment of Amanda Simpson as a senior technical advisor at the Commerce Department and some of the problematic news coverage about her becoming one of the first openly transgender presidential appointees.
Unfortunately, as coverage of her landmark appointment continues, so does the disrespectful treatment in the media. During last night’s “Late Show with David Letterman” on CBS, David Letterman announced Simpson’s appointment and reported that she is a transgender woman. He also showed a photo of her. The show’s announcer Alan Kalter then reacted to the news with disgust and mock horror, saying, “What? Amanda used to be a dude? My God!” He then hurried off stage to hearty laughter from the audience, apparently to go collect himself after the shock of this discovery.
Using this type of reaction to the discovery of a person’s transgender identity for comic effect appears to be a current trend in entertainment media. We’ve recently criticized similar instances of such defamation on FOX’s “The Cleveland Show.” Depicting people reacting in horror to transgender individuals is a dangerous stereotype for popular media to perpetuate because it contributes to the societal conception of transgender people as abnormal and deceptive, which all-too-often results in anti-transgender violence and/or discrimination when played out in reality.
We are reaching out to CBS “Late Show with David Letterman” with our concerns about this transphobic joke. Please send your concerns to CBS at: http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php
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Filed Under Entertainment, Transgender
Tagged: Amanda Simpson, The Late Show with David Letterman, Transgender
12 Comments to ““Late Show with David Letterman” Contributes to Problematic Reporting on Amanda Simpson”
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[...] gratified that GLAAD has contacted CBS, but I’m not sure the outcome will be sufficient. Letterman needs to offer [...]
[...] GLAAD and HRC have both condemned the skit, and for good reason. Transgender “panic” has too often been excused as justification for brutally beating and murdering countless numbers of people. One high-profile case was that of Angie Zapata. Her killer, Allen Andrade, said he was provoked into beating her to death with a fire extinguisher because Angie smiled at him. Late night comedians aren’t the first people we turn to for serious reflection, but this is a very serious problem and, all too tragically, it’s not a joking matter. [...]
[...] Said GLAAD in its statement: Depicting people reacting in horror to transgender individuals is a dangerous stereotype for popular media to perpetuate because it contributes to the societal conception of transgender people as abnormal and deceptive, which all-too-often results in anti-transgender violence and/or discrimination when played out in reality. [...]
[...] now go to GLAAD.org and bug CBS, or do the same thing via [...]
Dear Mr. Letterman, It is unacceptable to make disparaging comments about any group of people. Trans People are people just like anyone else. We experience a lot of prejudice, often violent. If you make this comments it sends a message that this is ok. There is great power in words. They can lead, to prejudice, violence, and murder. If you said this about African Americans, Jews, Latinos, etc. (and many have) it could lead to this violence. Being a Trans person, is not understood and many are ignorant. I suggest you look into this and be more aware of the results of your comments.
[...] Meanwhile, GLAAD says it is reaching out to the show with its concerns. Here's an excerpt from the GLAAD blog: [...]
Hi I’m a transgender female organzantioner, in san francisco,ca.
CBS the statement that one david latterman made about transgender on his late night tv shows is very hurtful it goes to shows that someone like latterman is very undeducation on transgender people. The writter needed to tell that he couldn’t used that joke on the air. But no the show must go on. We as transgender will not stand for any transphobic jokes coming any super star.We all understand that david latterman bring in a lot of money for cbs doing the latenight.
Really?
Are they really this ignorant? Its 2010 for goodness sake! wake up and stop the hate!!!! I am not transgendered but I have met a couple in my years and have to say they are the niceset , most decent human beings I have ever encountered. They should be respected for having the guts to go through this change to become who they really are, not be made fun of.
Sad really
Using this type of reaction to the discovery of a person’s transgender identity for comic effect appears to be a current trend in entertainment media.
This isn’t a ‘current trend’ in the entertainment world, It’s been happening for decades. See the movies ‘Bachelor Party’, and ‘Ace Ventura Pet Detective’ for examples of it.
[...] as the punch line of a joke (a troubling trend we dealt with most recently in outreach to the Late Show with David Letterman). [...]
[...] as the punch line of a joke (a troubling trend we dealt with most recently in outreach to the Late Show with David Letterman). [...]
Please check out the Samantha Bee segment on the Feb 3rd, 2010 Daily Show for another ‘gender phobic’ comedian(?) Samantha Bee. The Daily Show is usually quite good at lampooning anti-gay hate, but Samantha took some exceedingly cheap shots at a men’s group that was seeking a little freedom from gender stereotypes.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/125747/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-wed-feb-3-2010#s-p1-so-i0