Richard Hammond is being rightfully criticised for homophobic comments he made during the Christmas episode of Amazon original series The Grand Tour. During the live segment (this time from Finland) of the show, a scene shows Hammond’s fragile masculinity shine as he makes the strange connection between eating ice cream and sexuality.
Credit: Amazon
Jeremy Clarkson said that the cream-coloured inside of a Rolls Royce was great, but “the only problem is that in one of those, you couldn’t enjoy a chocolate Magnum ice cream.”
Hammond then responded: “That’s alright, I don’t eat ice cream. I think it’s something to do with being straight.”
With the audience clapping but fellow hosts Clarkson and James May wondering what Hammond was getting at, Clarkson probed: “Why are you applauding him? What do you mean? You’re saying all children are homosexual?”
Cue Hammond’s strange explanation: “What? What? Ice cream is a bit – you know… There’s nothing wrong with it, but a grown man eating an ice cream – it’s that way, rather than that way.”
Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander addressed the issue on his Twitter, making light of the situation rather than attacking Hammond directly:
Others weren’t so kind, blasting the host’s ‘pathetic masculinity’ and ‘casual homophobia’:
No response has yet been given by Hammond and the producers of The Grand Tour have kept quiet, but it’s expected that a statement will be given at some point given the attention the comments are now being given.
Honestly, there’s no way Hammond OR Amazon can weasel their way out of this one. Whilst the streaming service can say they wanted to show all sides of humanity including ‘casual homophobia’, they have a duty to protect their audiences from things of this type. As a mainstream show seen by millions across the globe, normalising comments such as this is not the way the world should be going.
Of course, there are those who are defending Hammond and his comment, with some even calling those offended by the remarks ‘snowflakes’, as they’re so fragile. What we must remember however is that whilst we’re offended by these comments, we’re not so fragile as to be afraid of frozen goods.
Casual homophobia should not be implemented into mainstream television as it teaches society that being casually homophobic is jovial and hilarious and adhering to masculinity is more important than being nice to your peers, no matter their sexuality.
Masculinity is a strange and clearly oppressive thing. Created entirely by society throughout the centuries, those who adhere to it believe they must act, dress and obviously even eat in a certain way. Leading a life that’s only allowed to exist within the boundaries of a man-made fictional ‘feeling’ and ‘being’ of masculinity is quite an odd way to live. In fact, it’s something I find much more odd than eating an ice cream. Because ice cream is delicious. And so are gays. Hammond is not. Sorry ‘bout it.
Tagged in Richard Hammond