Craig Ferguson gives back to the punching comics.
A 2007 comeback clip of the former host of “The Late Late Show” refusing to fry Britney Spears has gone viral on social media amid a new documentary about the tumultuous life of the pop star. At that time, the attacked “Baby One More Time” singer attacked the infamous paparazzi with an umbrella while wearing a shaved head.
However, while many comics blasted Britney, the 58-year-old Scottish comedian refused to follow suit.
“Tonight – no jokes at Britney Spears,” Ferguson said during the opening monologue. “This woman has two children, she is 25 years old, she is a baby herself. He’s a kid. ”
In his emotional speech, he added that he began to “feel uncomfortable when he made fun of celebrities” and that the comedy should be about “attacking powerful people, politicians, Trump and Trump and the pain.” ”.
“We should not attack vulnerable people,” lamented the comedian, who now hosts the new show “The Huslter” on ABC.
Ferguson expressed that he himself was guilty of hitting celebrities when they are down: “This is totally my fault, it’s just for me,” he said. “I think my goal has been disabled a little bit recently and I want to change it a little bit.”
His emotional words are now praised more than a decade later on social media.
“Craig went totally against the late comic book stream here,” posted a fan on Twitter along with a clip of the monologue.
“Comedians should remember that when you make fun of a young celebrity with substance abuse and / or emotional problems, no matter how rich and famous they are, you will strike blows,” the fan continued.
“Another reason I miss seeing Craig Ferguson every day … He was very decent.” posted another.
The documentary, entitled “Framing of Britney Spears,” recounts Spears’ ongoing conservative battle with her father, Jamie Spears, as well as the media’s portrayal of the singer, both during and in her downtown. “Toxic” attention.
Spears himself, although rumored to be “fed up with conservatives,” would not have seen the document.
Ferguson was ahead of his time, as many stars have followed the document – and now joins the hashtag movement on social media in support of “Work B ** ch!” singer.
Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Courtney Love and Andy Cohen posted on Twitter #FreeBritney, #JusticeForBritney and #WeAreSorryBritney. Khloé Kardashian, too posted her support on Twitter, labeling the situation “so sad”, while saying he was “praying” for “Queen Britney”.
The star of the actress and the food network Valerie Bertinelli said doc a “gut punch,” mentioning “so many horrible men / leeches in her life,” including her father and Justin Timberlake.
“He eventually watched ‘Britney Spears’ Frame’ on Hulu. It’s an underestimation to call it heartbreaking “, presented the talk show Tamron Hall posted on Twitter, adding the hashtag #FreeBritney.
However, the idea of ”punching” was a point of contention in comedy circles, with some comedians praising the practice and others considering it sold out.
“Comedy is subjective and it’s offensive, it really is,” said Colin Quinn, Saturday Night Alive, in a 2015 interview with the Hollywood Reporter. “And people make these imaginary rules, like, ‘Comedy can punch, but it can’t punch.’ No, comedy strikes and sometimes I’m sorry. ”