Lara Spencer Laughs at boys in ballet- Page 3

Posted: 8/26/19 at 3:25pm

bdn223 said: "Having finally watched the initial video after seeing the fallout and internet rage machine, I have to say Spencer did nothing wrong."

 

Except to insult and bully a little boy.  But long after that woman is forgotten, Prince George will be remembered as King.  Karma, you see.

 

[Impossible2]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 4:05pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Re: Amar

https://twitter.com/iightandharmony/status/1165836655145754626?s=21

https://twitter.com/msdianecardoso/status/1165839059798962177?s=21"

Still trying to make this 'a thing' huh?

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 4:43pm

Jacaranda2 said: "bdn223 said: "Having finally watched the initial video after seeing the fallout and internet rage machine, I have to say Spencer did nothing wrong."



Except to insult and bully a little boy. But long after that woman is forgotten, Prince George will be remembered as King. Karma, you see.

"

I think the outrage had less to do about the impact on Prince George and more about how this attitude impacts young boys across America. 

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 5:25pm

Absolute innocence; and I am sure he will be allowed to be whoever he wants to be.

EDIT--Oops! That gorgeous photo of the young Prince has gone, for reasons I would LOVE for the Mods. to explain without tying their tongues in knots. That would receive a backlash bigger than on the reporter that started this thread.

Updated On: 8/26/19 at 05:25 PM

[bk]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 5:44pm

I'm sorry, I'm not seeing the "bullying."  Whatever one thinks of what she did, I'm not sure how bullying enters into it - or does that word have no meaning anymore.  I was bullied as a child - I understand the meaning of the word.  What I DO understand is that Internet daily outrage is like a drug - people cannot get enough - they search for it, they crave it, they scream for apologies and when they get them - it's not enough because - they can't be without their outrage for even ten minutes.  

She apologized and said it was NOT HER INTENTION.  Key words, there.  I think that was bdn223's point.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 5:45pm

And from Gene Kelly's widow-

 

In 1958, my late husband, the dancer, director, choreographer Gene Kelly, decided to take on the stigma facing male dancers in an Omnibus television program for NBC that he created and starred in called “Dancing, A Man’s Game.” He hoped that by aligning the great sports stars of the day—Mickey Mantle, Johnny Unitas, Vic Seixas, Sugar Ray Robinson, among others—he could challenge and destroy the shame surrounding male dancers once and for all. For Gene it was more than a professional task. It was, in his words, a personal “crusade” to show that dancers are athletes and that it is okay for a man to be graceful. As he says in the special: “What could be more graceful than a football player throwing a pass—what is more excitingly beautiful than the swift movement of a double play? Every motion a good athlete makes is as beautiful as any a dancer makes.”

Sadly, on August 22, 2019, Good Morning America elected to run a disgraceful segment about Prince George and his ballet classes. That host Lara Spencer would mock a boy’s study of ballet in a nationally televised morning show and that her colleagues would join in her derision is both unacceptable and incomprehensible.

Gene was a classically trained ballet dancer and believed that his training was essential to all that he did. He was schooled in Chicago by a woman named Berenice Holmes who had been the student of the great Russian dancer Adolph Bolm. Gene said that Holmes could perform many complicated turns better than a man, including a double tour en l’air, and that she instructed him to dance with great strength, particularly in his arms. He knew that ballet training gave him the long, beautiful line that he sought in his dancing and, later, in his choreography for the camera that led to some of the seminal films of our time, including On the Town; An American in Paris; Singin’ in the Rain; Brigadoon.

Over the years, Gene advised many professional athletes to study ballet, including former wide receivers Willie Gault and Lynn Swann. Both acknowledge that the training improved their performance on the field. Many have followed suit. Gene would be devastated to know that 61 years after his ground-breaking work the issue of boys and men dancing is still the subject of ridicule—and on a national network.

ABC must do better.

Patricia Ward Kelly (Mrs. Gene Kelly)

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 5:56pm

I must be pretty thick. When she originally made the statement, I honestly thought she was inferring that with all he was doing, he wouldn't stick with it. Like many kids today. Distractible and overstimulated. He'd lose interest. I didn't read the bullying piece, but in hindsight, I certainly see how people got that. I'm glad she owned it. I hope the outraged can move on. 

PROS: I'm glad it created a moment for men to speak out against gender roles and shaming of males. It was really beautiful and important to hear all the voices. 

CONS: It's sometimes sad that folks can mobilize around this but not larger issues. Also the rancor she endured is unacceptable. She was stupid, but who hasn't been? Who hasn't offended someone on the job? The outrage over every little thing is exhausting. Some of the vitriol directed at her by those claiming they themselves were oppressed was beyond Trump-like. It was pure hate. Also, so many social media "stars" use it as an opportunity to promote themselves. It's a bit much how they make it about them. It's exhausting in a completely different way. Everyone wants their 15 minutes in a "tragedy." I hope everyone moves on now. 

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 6:06pm

1.  I DO think bullying is too strong a word.  She mocked.  Still NOT good.

2. It's easier to "mobilize" something small - because you can actually make a difference, quickly.  Global warming? Sexism? Misogyny? None too easy.

[CukorLover]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 6:19pm

Absolutely, Bettyboy72.

I'm sure Travis Wall meant well, and his stock just sky-rocketed in response. In addition, I'm sure Nigel Lythgoe will be ALL over it tonight on SYTYCD.

Robert Fairchild (CATS promo) didn't do too bad either. It had social media exploitation all over it. To quote Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford in MOMMIE DEAREST, "you wreak of it!"

And considering this whole thing started regarding a six-year old child, why didn't they have a young boy as a part of that interview? They missed the whole point.

The best thing to come out of it was the Ballet class at Times Square this morning. They'll be a piece on it on Entertainment Tonight this evening.

Updated On: 8/26/19 at 06:19 PM

[Almira]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 8:12pm

I see nothing wrong with Spencer's statement. 

Those offended and calling her statement "bullying" are just projecting their own trauma on someone pretty powerless.

"We'll see how long it lasts"  That's bullying?  Geez, the right-wing cry of PC Police is starting to make sense to me know.  I'm actually ashamed at the Broadway community for this nonsense response.

Spencer is the victim here.  She's talking about THE FUTURE KING OF ENGLAND!  His life is mapped out for him.  And whether wants to be a ballet dancer, a plumber, or a neurosurgeon he is going to get a HUGE reality check when he learns his life is largely not of his own agency.

She didn't mock his reported "love" for ballet, and even if she did...geez.. the kid is six!  He probably loves the taste of his own boogers.. and this will likely change too.

Jesus.. these Broadway drama queens need to see a therapist and work on their wounds and stop fighting enemies that AREN'T THERE.

Updated On: 8/26/19 at 08:12 PM

Posted: 8/26/19 at 8:48pm

Almira said: "Spencer is the victim here."

 

BALDERDASH

 

[Almira]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 9:26pm

What did Spencer say? 

"We'll see how long it lasts" 

 

Just on this thread hurled at Spencer:

Lara Spencer is an untalented, self-satisfied, shrill sh*t head.  - jv92

Lara Spencer has always been insufferable. - SisterGeorge

she should be fired - EllieRose2

dingbat, his lady is a couple of enchiladas short of a combo plate. - theatreguy12

Hopefully the next update we get is news of her firing. - RWPrincess

If Ms Spencer had more than two brain cells, she  do more research - A Director

our words are the reason why so many people commit suicide - klinnerz

This is a grown woman bullying a six year old - KathyNYC2

  to insult and bully a little boy - Jacaranda2

 

The above is GENUINE bullying. I understand that hurt people, hurt people.  But Spencer, again, simply said:

"We'll see how long it lasts"  

And she is right.  Ballet class for six year old is probably fun and easy to love doing, but that doesn't last long when the real discipline and sacrifice kicks in the more you grow and study.. and oh, yes,  add that to the fact that  Prince George has the already heavy load of discipline and sacrifice ahead of him as the future King of England.  The laughter comes the reality that that kid doesn't know what he is in for.

So  yes,  Spencer is the victim here.

 

 

Updated On: 8/26/19 at 09:26 PM

[bk]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 9:39pm

Almira, you forgot only one thing, vis-a-vis the outraged folks: If you don't agree with them then you, too, are a bully.  I just had that happen on Facebook.  This has become such a bore, all this manufactured outrage.  I kept watching the video and saying to myself, "Myself, where is this bullying?"  There was not a whit of bullying.  And Almira is absolutely 100% correct - you want bullying, look no further than this thread, Facebook, and Twitter.

[Almira]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 9:44pm

Thank you, bk.

By the way.. when are you going to work your magic and release the original Australian cast recording of La Cage Aux Folles?

Every time I listen to my LP transfer I think how great it would be to have an official cd release.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 10:23pm

bk said: "Almira, you forgot only one thing, vis-a-vis the outraged folks: If you don't agree with them then you, too, are a bully. I just had that happen on Facebook. This has become such a bore, all this manufactured outrage. I kept watching the video and saying to myself, "Myself, where is this bullying?" There was not a whit of bullying. And Almira is absolutely 100% correct - you want bullying, look no further than this thread, Facebook, and Twitter."

BK - you've got my initials - well, with my nickname. I never actually put into words so well what is the problem with this board - and, well, I know we're exaggerating here. But it often seems like this board exists to provide people with their fix of outrage, and they kill time coming up with the four best Broadway songs about dogs or the three best actresses never to win a Tony while waiting for the next outrage to come along.

Where there is widespread outrage their is usually something to criticize, or examine to see if it merits criticism, but for all the talk about other people's hate crimes, is this thread not full of hatred for Spencer? I know those corny old Christian teachings don't apply: "Judge Not Lest You be Judged," Forgive your neighbor not seven times but seventy seven times seven if the neighbor repents.

I try to be consistent. I'm completely against the death penalty, even in horrendous cases where an unrepentant killer guns down multiple children. Because life is very hard and everyone deserves a chance at redemption (even Judd in Oklahoma).

I took the bus a few hundred miles to the 250,000 student anti-Vietnam war rally in November, 1969. I admit that if students weren't afraid of their student exemption expiring (a genuine racist policy that sent many more blacks to the disease-ridden jungles than their numbers would justify. I genuinely don't believe that this could be repeated in this generation.), I don't know what the attendance would have been. 

But we sat out in the yard and heard Peter, Paul and Mary sing the great anthem of Pete Seeger:

If I had a song, I'd sing it in the morning
I'd sing it in the evening, All over this world.
I'd sing out danger. I'd sing out a warning
I'd sing out love between my brothers and my sisters ah-ah
All over this land.

Defeat your enemies through love, not hatred.

Yeah, that was really corny, but I'm old. Will probably be the last post on this thread, an honor which I often have.

 

 

Posted: 8/26/19 at 11:02pm

OlBlueEyes said: "I took the bus a few hundred miles to the 250,000 student anti-Vietnam war rally in November, 1969. I admit that if students weren't afraid of their student exemption expiring (a genuine racist policy that sent many more blacks to the disease-ridden jungles than their numbers would justify. I genuinely don't believe that this could be repeated in this generation.),I don't know what the attendance would have been."

 

And all the while you were "protesting," two brothers, countless friends, hundreds upon thousands of other brave Americans, and myself, were offering our lives in foreign lands so that you could ride in comfort on that bus.

But back on topic.....

Spencer bullied a CHILD.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 11:17pm

Whether  George becomes King is an event so far in the future, there are numerous paths things can move to. There at least  2 reigns ahead of him and given the present longevity we are talking anywhere from 50- 70 yrs and a LOT can change by then.   So Who Knows?

I agree "bullying" is a bit strong- the child in question is pretty protected from a 2nd tier tv show presenters comments REGARDLESS of which spin you put on them. ( I don't disagree that maybe she was referring to how quickly kids move from one interest to another) BUT  that doesn't let her off the hook for how she said it. When u have this expansive a platform you really do need to be hyperaware.

And as a former ballet groupie ( former but not reformed!) I can personally attest to the skills the male dancers have ( not all are gay). This is the only field where "partnering" is a part of your training curriculum and I really got to benefit from that.

So HÉLLs Yah to more boys in ballet . Pas de chat me one more time!

[Almira]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 11:31pm

sabrelady said: "Whether George becomes King is an event so far in the future, there are numerous paths things can move to. There at least 2 reigns ahead of him and given the present longevity we are talking anywhere from 50- 70 yrs and a LOT can change by then. So Who Knows?
 

Thing is this.. even if the monarchy was to be dismantled tomorrow, Prince George would still be living under the most extraordinary of circumstances.  Nothing in his life would allow him the freedoms to explore life's options the way, say, you or I have. He would also have enormous privileges that inherently carry overwhelming responsibilities.  His ability to do whatever he wants with his life would be limited by a scrutiny that even a world famous entertainment celebrity couldn't  fathom.

So even if the reign of the Windsors folded up,  any attempts at living a life with a traditional career (dancing, construction work, mortician) would all be met with:

We'll see how long that lasts.

Updated On: 8/26/19 at 11:31 PM

[Zion24]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 12:20am

bk hit the nail on the head: manufactured outrage. it has become enjoyable for millions of people to just get so excited finding an enemy to shame. 

what lara spencer said was insensitive. it wasnt nice. im glad people called her out for it so that she can be corrected, because young boys who like ballet will do better in a society that doesnt mock them.

does anyone here think lara spencer, once corrected, was going to double down and demand she shame little boys further? does anyone think that she had any malicious intent? the over the top "outrage" is becoming so tiring- people say and do dumb things! lets point it out! we all need constant improvement! but how come the reaction is the same whether lara spencer apologizes for her insensitivity as it would be if she didnt? why is her intent/remorse simply irrelevant to the analysis?

the left is going to eat itself with this mania. each instance is silly and irrelevant because beyond the twitterverse, no one cares. but add em all up and you have this self-destructing habit that ruins liberal America for the rest of us.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 12:31am

Ugh, I am so tired of this story. I wasn't totally sold that her intent was to make fun of boys dancing in the first place but even if it was, she apologized twice and seemed genuine in wanting to listen to people from the dance community. That should be enough and it's time to accept her apology. People make mistakes. We cannot get so ridiculously upset every time someone says something they shouldn't but we do thanks to the internet and manufactured outrage.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 12:34am

Who cares what Lara Spencer thinks about anything- I certainly do not.

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 12:58am

I’m very much in line with you Mr Wormwood. 

While she DEFINITELY saw Prince George as an easy target for a cheap laugh (something quite common in the UK towards the Royals as a whole) he was NEVER going to know anything about them without the social media outrage. And as it stands he wont be effected in any way. However the countless children within the US that want to, or currently do take dance classes WILL definitely face the ongoing stigma of gender norms which she so clearly played up to with her original story (the derision was totally aimed at the ballet classes and anyone who says otherwise is a liar) and anything that legitimises their bullying is obviously wrong.

That said I thought that the 5 minutes of airtime they took to apologise was genuine and that along with things like the Times Square ballet class and vocal support within the profession could do some long term good for acceptance of young boys in dance. The ongoing calls to fire Lara Spencer and for relentless apologies seem to me to be entirely baseless and often vindictive. What children need is positive role models and it was lovely to see that mentioned in the interview, and hopefully a few new ones emerge in light of this. 

[bk]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 1:02am

Jacaranda2 said: "OlBlueEyes said: "I took the bus a few hundred miles to the 250,000 student anti-Vietnam war rally in November, 1969. I admit that if students weren't afraid of their student exemption expiring (a genuine racist policy that sent many more blacks to the disease-ridden jungles than their numbers would justify. I genuinely don't believe that this could be repeated in this generation.),I don't know what the attendance would have been."



And all the while you were "protesting," two brothers, countless friends, hundreds upon thousands of other brave Americans, and myself, were offering our lives in foreign lands so that you could ride in comfort on that bus.

But back on topic.....

Spencer bullied a CHILD."

No, she did not.  In any way, shape, or form.  The End.  So, you were in Vietnam were you?  

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 2:17am

And all the while you were "protesting," two brothers, countless friends, hundreds upon thousands of other brave Americans, and myself, were offering our lives in foreign lands so that you could ride in comfort on that bus.

If you went to 'Nam in my place, then you have a right to be ticked off. If you didn't, then you should silence yourself. There weren't very many "heroes" who went to the jungle. It was mainly those who couldn't get out of it with a student exemption, emeigration to Canada, bursting eardrums, conscientous objector, whatever.

We didn't understand at the time, but the Vietnam War was fought against the Domino Theory, that international communism was going to take over the world nation by nation. The people got this idea in their head due to their experiences at the end of WW II, when Soviet Russia and Communist China were manuevering to occupy as much land as possible. Soviet Russia violated agreements that were in place on who would occupy which nations. They tried to kick us out of West Berlin.

While students at that time couldn't explain the reason for the war properly, it turned out that the domino theory was nonsense and "as goes South Vietnam, and Korea, there goes Japan" didn't apply. I admired George Herbert Walker Bush for graduating from Yale and immediately enlisted in the dangerous field of naval flight. But that war we pretty much had to fight. Anyone who voluntarily went to 'Nam to save us from Communism was pretty much a dupe, but we didn't understand that at the time so the people who went voluntarily should be respected for their courage and patriotism.

I have no recollection of how I got on this topic, but it's late and I'll just let it go.

 

 

[AADA81]

Posted: 8/27/19 at 9:30am

Spencer is just a vapid, abrasively shrill show-biz type who gets all of her "hard news" from People Magazine.  Her unsophisticated viewpoints are matched only by sycophantish devotion to celebrity culture.  Who cares what she thinks.  Her mea colpes over this are a damage control maneuvers enforced by ABC to protect the brand of the atrociously low brow GMA.