Slim-Fast Cans Whoopi Goldberg Over Lewd Remarks about Bush

Amused

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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,125747,00.html

Slim-Fast Cans Whoopi Over Bush Remarks
Thursday, July 15, 2004

LOS ANGELES ? The Slim-Fast diet drink company has dumped Whoopi Goldberg (search) from its advertising because its executives were unhappy with remarks the comedian made at a recent political rally that mocked President Bush (search).

"We are disappointed by the manner in which Ms. Goldberg chose to express herself and sincerely regret that her recent remarks offended some of our consumers. Ads featuring Ms. Goldberg will no longer be on the air," Slim-Fast (search) general manager Terry Olson said in a press release Wednesday.

Goldberg participated at a recent Democratic fund-raiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York, joining performers such as John Mellencamp, Jon Bon Jovi, Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange and John Leguizamo.

At one point in a speech mocking the Bush administration, Goldberg used his surname as a sexual reference.

The event raised $7.5 million for the John Kerry-John Edwards presidential ticket. Both Kerry and Edwards attended, but neither commented about the jokes made by the celebrities toward Bush.

Goldberg's representatives did not immediately return a call for comment Wednesday.

Slim-Fast Foods is based in West Palm Beach, Fla.

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Story about the event in question:

Celebs Turn Out for Kerry-Edwards
Saturday, July 10, 2004

NEW YORK, N.Y. ? Whoopi Goldberg (search) delivered an X-rated rant full of sexual innuendoes against President Bush last night at a Radio City gala that raised $7.5 million for the newly minted Democratic ticket of John Kerry (search) and John Edwards (search).

Waving a bottle of wine, she fired off a stream of vulgar sexual wordplays on Bush's name in a riff about female genitalia, and boasted that she'd refused to let Team Kerry clear her material.


"I Xeroxed my behind and I folded it up in an envelope and I sent it back with a big kiss mark on because we're Democrats ? we're not afraid to laugh," she said.

She addressed fresh-faced vice-presidential candidate Edwards as "Kid," and "young Mr. Edwards" and cracked, "He looks like he is about 18 "

"I'm going to card his ass tomorrow."

Other celebs also competed to bash Bush. Singer John Mellencamp (search) sang a specially written song that called the president "just another cheap thug" and ridiculed him as the "Texas bambino."

Kerry could be seen laughing uproariously during part of Goldberg's tirade ? and neither he nor Edwards voiced a single objection to its tone when they spoke to the crowd.
 

dc

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that's sure classy, it's like going back to 3rd grade where you make fun of someone's name.

all this coming from a woman named whoopi.
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
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I'm sure this is hitting both Slim-Fast and Whoopi very roughly.

Or not.

Fatties.
 

MacBaine

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Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Originally posted by: dc
that's sure classy.

Them firing her or her exercising her right to free speech?

Her right to say what she wants doesn't preclude others from firing her based on those comments.
 

Amused

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Apr 14, 2001
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Originally posted by: jadinolf
Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Originally posted by: dc
that's sure classy.

Them firing her or her exercising her right to free speech?

Have you forgotten the golden rule?

The employer has the gold so they RULE.

Um, no. Employment is a mutual contract. Most spokesperson contracts have morality clauses in them to protect the company against having a spokesperson do something that alienates a large portion of their customers.
 

babypanda

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Jul 15, 2004
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Originally posted by: jadinolf


Have you forgotten the golden rule?

The employer has the gold so they RULE.

hhahahha that's funny.. soo true.

but still... whoopi is a comedian and I don't think she should have been fired...
 

DT4K

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2002
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Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Originally posted by: dc
that's sure classy.

Them firing her or her exercising her right to free speech?

You can have all the free speech you want.
That doesn't mean a company has to give up their right to decide they no longer wish to have you represent them due to the image you portray.

You have a constitutional right to free speech.
You do NOT have a constitutional right to product endorsements.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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Originally posted by: babypanda
Originally posted by: jadinolf


Have you forgotten the golden rule?

The employer has the gold so they RULE.

hhahahha that's funny.. soo true.

but still... whoopi is a comedian and I don't think she should have been fired...

Then you obviously have no clue as to how to run a successful business.

Hint: You don't succeed by having your most visible spokesperson making lewd comments about the president and pissing off at least half your customer base.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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Originally posted by: DT4K
Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Originally posted by: dc
that's sure classy.

Them firing her or her exercising her right to free speech?

You can have all the free speech you want.
That doesn't mean a company has to give up their right to decide they no longer wish to have you represent them due to the image you portray.

You have a constitutional right to free speech.
You do NOT have a constitutional right to product endorsements.

Bingo.
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
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Originally posted by: babypanda
Originally posted by: jadinolf


Have you forgotten the golden rule?

The employer has the gold so they RULE.

hhahahha that's funny.. soo true.

but still... whoopi is a comedian and I don't think she should have been fired...

Thanks. At least someone got it.:thumbsup: