Slim-Fast Sheds Whoopi Goldberg After Bush Riff

Netscape News ^ | 7/14/04

[11th Earl of Mar]

Slim-Fast Sheds Whoopi Goldberg After Bush Riff

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Comedian Whoopi Goldberg will no longer appear in ads for diet aid maker Slim-Fast following her lewd riff on President Bush's name at a fund-raiser last week, the company said on Wednesday.

Florida-based Slim-Fast said it was "disappointed" in Goldberg's remarks at last Thursday's $7.5 million star-studded fund-raiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

"Ads featuring Ms. Goldberg will no longer be on the air," Slim-Fast General Manager Terry Olson said in a statement, adding that the company regrets that Goldberg's remarks offended some customers.

Republicans have expressed outrage over the fund-raiser for presumptive Democratic nominee John F. Kerry and his vice presidential running mate, John Edwards, in which entertainers lined up to skewer the president.

The New York Post said of Goldberg's appearance at the event: "Waving a bottle of wine, she fired off a stream of vulgar sexual wordplays on Bush's name in a riff about female genitalia."

A spokesperson for Goldberg declined immediate comment.

Slim-Fast is a unit of Anglo-Dutch food-to-detergent group Unilever Plc .

© Copyright Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Reuters Ltd.

[I'm ALL Right!]

Every vote counts! Whoopiiieeeeee! ;)

[Tamzee]

AWESOME FREEPERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

[The Anti-Democrat]

I just saw the obnoxious bi**h on a Slim-Fast commercial a few minutes ago. I guess they are running all previously paid-for ads.

[floriduh voter]

The link on Drudge indicated that Slim-Fast is a Florida company. That kind of talk isn't acceptable in their neck of the woods.

[octobersky]

High five to all who wrote the company and good riddance to this vulgar spokesperson. She should be ashamed of herself. Also Kerry/Edwards should be too for their tacit approval of her loathsome remarks.

[BlueAngel]

I'm so happy. I'll just have to purchase some slim-fast now.

[Die_Hard Conservative Lady]

Boy, that's team work! Way to go team!

[xzins]

This is the letter I sent to Slim-Fast:

Dear SlimFast,

When I'm watching TV, or a movie, or even a commercial, the worst thing for me is having a typecast actor pretending to be something they are not. I just cannot believe them. This is true of people like Alan Aldin of MASH fame. No matter what he plays, I see him as Hawkeye Pierce, a military doctor in Korea. If he tries to be a husband in a romance, I get Hawkeye; if he's a lawyer in a drama, I see Hawkeye.

Worse is when the typecasting is due to some outside the studio activity...especially political activity...of the actor. For example, I simply turn the channel when I see Ed Asner, the liberal activist. I simply cannot suspend disbelieve and pretend he's anyone other than some political hack who hates my conservative beliefs. (The same is true of Barbara Streisand, Susan Sarandan, Mike Farrell, etc.)

Unfortunately, Whoopi Goldberg has started to ruin her ability to be heard as a spokesperson. She's typecasting herself as someone who hates anyone who doesn't believe in her liberal politics. It's not my fault that she ridicules my beliefs, demeans my political opinions, and even attacks the president I voted for. In short, too bad she's ruined her credibility.

I would like a refund for the SlimFast in my cupboard, because it simply bothers me to think my money goes to support her. But, I won't go that far. I'll simply let you know that I won't be buying your product anymore. I see her, and I say, "There's someone who hates what I stand for."

As the spokesperson for SlimFast, what she stands for is what your product also says. It's a shame you folks don't value your customers who vote conservative. In the future, let me encourage you to use commercials that are neutral toward all of your customer base.

Thanks for listening,

XXXXXX

[Dubya]

SLIM FAST

I just did it. Thanks for the url.

[Lauren BaRecall]

I heard that she issued a statement, but I can't find it anywhere. I agree that the more repulsive she is, the better for us.

BTW, I hope someone can get their hands on that tape.

[asgardshill]

Slim Fast needed a reason to drop pudgy Whoopie, because she was not a making folks want to buy slim fast.

Kinda like Foster Brooks doing commercials for Anabuse, if you ask me.

[GailA]

Keep in mind that the big guy at slim fast is a RAT BIG $$ donor. Keep the boycott up to keep our money out of RAT pockets.

[visualops]

Now I remember, I think she was on The Practice.
If it isn't her, it's her long lost twin.

[visualops]

well darn I only needed to read one more post to see the answer lol

[Lauren BaRecall]

Well, I want to see a bit of the aftermath before I break out the Hellmann's.

Let's see if Whoopi's really mad. I think that would be a good guage to use regarding what Slim Fast may have told her behind closed doors.

[trussell]

Does this mean I can start using the product again?

Way to go FReepers!! We rock!!!

[Cultural Jihad]

So - do you think the massive reaction and email flooding had anything to do with the decision? I would like to think so.....

Even a handful of letters has a tremendous impact, because business knows that for every piece of correspondence they receive there are a thousand who feel as strongly but don't bother to write. They are not in business to alienate customers or assault their sensitivities and sensibilities. Whoopie will just have to lump it, and seek an honest profession.

[AmericanMade1776]

Slim Fast needed a reason to drop pudgy Whoopie, because she was not a making folks want to buy slim fast.

Kinda like Foster Brooks doing commercials for Anabuse, if you ask me.

Yeah..kind of like Bill Clinton helping out at Rape Prevention Center.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Comedian Whoopi Goldberg will no longer appear in ads for diet aid maker Slim-Fast

I'm so glad. I hope she totally disappears.

[P.O.E.]

Freepers put the heat on!

heh heh