John Cleese is a bit of an enigma. At times, he’s a fierce, cutting critic of wokeness and apology culture, which is unfortunately increasingly rare these days.
And at other times, he can sound just like the sensitive snowflakes he loves to mock. This is one of those other times.
First, a bit of background. Jeremy Clarkson of “Top Gear” hosting fame has cultivated a reputation for himself as something of an outspoken guy who couldn’t care less about what people — particularly those who are of the left-leaning persuasion — think about him. He doesn’t care for wokeism, and if you have a problem with that, he doesn’t care about your feelings.
Anyway, Clarkson recently found himself in hot water over an opinion piece he’d written about Meghan Markle, who, along with her husband Prince Harry, is currently on a whirlwind tour pimping the Netflix documentary series about them. Anyone being honest with themselves knows that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are an absolutely insufferable couple and would serve the world far better by fading into the background or at the very least just relinquishing their microphones. They’re just effing annoying, basically. And, in Clarkson’s opinion, Markle has effectively emasculated Prince Harry.
As Jeremy Clarkson should well know – words have consequences. The words in his piece are no joke – they’re dangerous and inexcusable. We are in an epidemic of violence against women and girls and men with powerful voices must do better than this. https://t.co/TXq8XndPec
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) December 18, 2022
Here are the words that seem to be causing the most outrage:
At night, I’m unable to sleep as I lie there, grinding my teeth and dreaming of the day when [Markle] is made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, “Shame!” and throw lumps of excrement at her.
You may or may not have watched “Game of Thrones,” but chances are pretty good that you’ve at least seen memes of the scene Clarkson is referring to. Apparently some people weren’t able to make the connection:
Don’t worry about it mate, we’ve all tripped, fell and accidentally crowbarred in a reference to throwing shit at a naked woman right after saying we hate her more than rose west, easily done
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) December 19, 2022
That Jeremy Clarkson can write things like that, and publish them unashamed, tells us all we need to know about the way Rupert Murdoch has poisoned and rotted our public life.
— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) December 18, 2022
For every violent, racist, misogynistic column published (and Clarkson’s is one of many), there’s a team of editorial staff who think it’s acceptable. And, as we’re seeing today, TV producers who believe this kind of hate speech is debatable. The rot is at the core of our media.
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) December 19, 2022
Well, for what it’s worth, Clarkson has since tweeted an apology:
Oh dear. I’ve rather put my foot in it. In a column I wrote about Meghan, I made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones and this has gone down badly with a great many people. I’m horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) December 19, 2022
But something tells us that’s not going to cut it for all the people who were upset with Clarkson. It sure doesn’t sound like it’s gonna cut it for John Cleese, who clearly believes that much more than an apology is needed to right this particular wrong:
The answer : Regulate the Press
It won't happen under the Tories though
The Tories have an arrangement with the right wing Press, who will support them under all circumstances provided they keep Leveson at bay
You see, becoming decent papers would cost them too much money https://t.co/OXNJmeUsNW
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) December 19, 2022
Um … excuse us?
Dammit John Cleese.
— SuperStevie (@joesghost99) December 19, 2022
Dammit, John.
Xi Jinping liked this tweet https://t.co/i2cerPaKgG
— O Holy Dank Knight 🎄🦇 (@capeandcowell) December 19, 2022
No kidding. Well, Dank is kidding, but not really. Because Cleese’s tweet is right up Xi’s alley.
Comedians Against Free Speech https://t.co/tWRgk9hFa9
— jimtreacher.substack.com (@jtLOL) December 19, 2022
This wasn’t always the case but Jeremy Clarkson is now funnier and more important than John Cleese. And…regulate opinion columns? Good lord
— Kyle Smith (@rkylesmith) December 19, 2022
Did not think I’d live to see John Cleese advocate for regulating free speech.
— Cʜɪᴢᴀᴅ ⚜️🥃 (@AUChizad) December 19, 2022
What a weird and disturbing time to be alive.
Making fun of Meghan Markle is misogyny because…she’s every woman? What is the logic here? Making fun of Prince Harry is misandry then? All criticism of anybody is a hatecrime attack on whatever groups that person belongs to?
— Kyle Smith (@rkylesmith) December 19, 2022
How many censorship campaigns has John Cleese weathered? Now he wants to lead one.
— jimtreacher.substack.com (@jtLOL) December 19, 2022
It’s maybe not all that surprising, but it’s definitely disappointing.
"You Either Die a Hero, or You Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become the Villain" https://t.co/nWf8SgF9L7
— Fusilli Spock (@awstar11) December 19, 2022
What a shame.
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