Gene Shalit - Still full of it even after his gay son's letter

Fair to say that after years of disliking the Groucho Marx-like crank on the Today show - I know have a real reason to dislike him... Hence the lovely picture... Thanks.

I feel bad for his gay son Pete - I didn't know he had a gay son until today - (I really didn't blog much over the weekend - spent it doin' fun stuff with friends and Boo, workin' out etc.) While I did pause to think about Pete's response - I really don't know if I believe it. I'm sure he loves his Dad and vice-versa, but I don't buy the line about him not being a homophobe and therefore able to render his judgements about the movie blah blah blah. In my eyes he was very deliberate about Jack's character, his choice of words ('sexual predator') and the overall tone of the piece...

I mean - does he think he son is a sexual predator? I mean is acting on instinct like Jack did predatory? I mean really - it would be one thing if he rammed his hand down Ennis' pants but at least the way it was portrayed in the movie it was very innocent... I mean I've had straight friends accidentally end up cuddling when sharing a bed in college (for real - no funny business! I was uber-closeted and scared and therefore - offended they mistakenly crossed the imaginary line in the bed!)

Maybe I am wrong - I don't know the personal side of the Shalit family and nor do I (or GLAAD for that matter) care... It is ALL about public perception, fair depiction of gays and how we are viewed as people. In my opinion - after 50 years Shalit should know how to choose his words - therefore I don't buy that his review was either an accident or those flaming homos waving their arms and crying as the opposing views would try to convince you...

Sorry Gene - despite a nice letter from your gay kid - you're still 2 thumbs down...
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Update: Ok it takes a big man (and hair) to say you're sorry... I did go ahead & did the action alert to thank him for doing so. Nice to know people were listening and took this seriously.