HOLLYWOOD TV STAR Walks Out On Dick Clark's Obscene AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

World Net Daily ^ | 1/19/03 | WND

[Z in Oregon]

For "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Patricia Heaton, the last straw came when a performer at the 30th annual American Music Awards made graphic references to three-way sex. That, and, perhaps, Sharon Osbourne's joke about what she called Mariah Carey's "fake" endowments.

Patricia Heaton

Though the actress was at the awards show to introduce a pre-recorded retrospective of executive producer Dick Clark's annual music show, enough was enough. She walked out of the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, disgusted by what she called "an onslaught of lewd jokes and off-color remarks."

A two-time Emmy winner for her portrayal of Debra Barone on "Everybody Loves Raymond," the sitcom star had grown increasingly upset with the raw and raunchy comments made by presenters, performers and the hosts for last Monday's show – the infamous Osbournes.

"I'm no prude, but this was such a vulgar and disgusting show," Heaton told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

Heaton marches to the beat of her own drummer in an industry not known for such politically incorrect thinking. She even boasts Rush Limbaugh among her personal friends.

"I arrived a little late and was seated in the audience," Heaton said. "I was going to present what's called a video package – a look at 30 years of the American Music Awards. Well, what was passing for humor basically ranged from stupid to vulgar, and I just thought, 'I'm not going to be part of this.' So I walked out and said, 'Get me my car. I'm leaving.'"

Even the show-business industry publications and reporters covering the event noted the Osbournes and other performers kept the ABC network censors working overtime. Print advertisements for the live awards event showed a roaring Ozzy Osbourne saying, "I'll be bleeped!"

"The entire evening became about bleeping," said Heaton. "It was as if they were trying to become more like the MTV awards. But it's one thing if this kind of stuff is on MTV at 10 at night. It's quite another if it's on ABC at 8 o'clock. I don't know what Dick Clark was thinking."

She continued: "I really didn't know what I was getting into. I mean, there was Ryan Seacrest pulling open his co-presenter's shirt, then noticing there was a 12-year-old girl in the front row. And he says, 'Don't worry, honey, you'll have a pair of these soon.' And everybody went crazy. It felt like I was in the Roman Colosseum. As far as I'm concerned, it was an affront to anyone with a shred of dignity, self-respect and intelligence."

Will Heaton take heat in Hollywood for her decision? She's not expecting it.

"And if there is," she said, "who cares? When I was waiting for my car, one of the security people came up to me and said, 'I just want you to know how much I admire what you're doing.' So I wasn't the only one who felt this way. The camera coordinator for the awards was our camera coordinator from 'Raymond.' And when I walked on the set the next day, he started applauding."

---

[doosee]

I see where Mel Gibson walked out during this piece of trash ceremony...

[pabianice]

Wow. Scruples, brains, beauty, and passion. I think I'm in love.

[Z in Oregon]

Class is a major plus, no question.

[Z in Oregon]

Mel Gibson, another conservative star. I just bought "Signs"; I look forward to his upcoming film on the Life of Christ.

[Mr Rogers]

You too, huh? I'll admit to turning a bit squeemish at the 'jellied eel brains' - glad to watch & not to eat!

[Rummyfan]

Bravo Patricia Heaton!

I hope this starts a trend......

[RikaStrom]

Ah, another Iron Chef watcher. I love that show, but then I have alwasy been a fan of Kaga. Did you know that he play Jean Val-Jean in Les Miserables? The Japanese language version of course.

If you really want intense, watch one of the specialized cooking events. LIke the Pastry Competition, or the best Chef competition. They are brutal. I would be a nervous wreck and tip that pretty silver tray right on to someone, I just know it.! LOL

[RikaStrom]

Bravo Mrs. Heaton.

I don't like ELR, but I soundly applaud her for standing up for her beliefs.

[fightinJAG]

There was one with the young Bobby Flay (with Jackie, then only his girlfriend, cheering him on from the gallery) challenging one of the Iron Chefs. Fortunately, the star ingredient was not eel. But what a hoot of a episode that one was.

Also there was one where a "Japanese Housewife" was the challenger. They had to make "housewife" food. I won't tell you who won. No spoiler here.

[fightinJAG]

I've been wanting to see the Pastry Competition, but have missed it so far. I read that the chefs practice their stuff for an entire year leading up to the contest.

Oh, that life truly were a bowl of cherries.

[Conservative4Ever]

"How anyone can watch that drug-addled buffoon is beyone me.

It's like watching a train wreck. You don't want to but you can't help it.

In small doses, ya just can't look away.

Red

[blackbart.223]

"In small doses, ya just can't look away."

That's a fact.

[F16Fighter]

"Anyone who doesn't love the Osbournes should be stripped of their citizenship and exiled to Iran"

Go ahead and raise your glass of primordial ooze to the Osbornes.

The celebration of this vile human trash should disprove once and for all the theory of evolution.

[barker]

I used to hate country music......

Notice how many country singers are supporters of our country and our president compared to hollywierd and the rappers.

[barker]

Good for her. ELR is one of the few shows I watch sometimes.

Am not a fan of the Osbournes but Fox was showing a Pepsi commercial that was one of the funniest I've seen. May be on during the Super Bowl tomorrow.

[wgeorge2001]

"The entire evening became about bleeping," said Heaton. "It was as if they were trying to become more like the MTV awards. But it's one thing if this kind of stuff is on MTV at 10 at night. It's quite another if it's on ABC at 8 o'clock. I don't know what Dick Clark was thinking."


She continued: "I really didn't know what I was getting into. I mean, there was Ryan Seacrest pulling open his co-presenter's shirt, then noticing there was a 12-year-old girl in the front row. And he says, 'Don't worry, honey, you'll have a pair of these soon.' And everybody went crazy. It felt like I was in the Roman Colosseum. As far as I'm concerned, it was an affront to anyone with a shred of dignity, self-respect and intelligence."


It is so good to know that there is yet someone in hollywood who has morals and is indignant that hollyweird has become so blatently and openly immoral and bitter. I applaud this woman for standing up for morality, she has now become my favorite actress and I hope and pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will bless her for standing tall. I enjoy the show also, a family show with moral values is still welcome in this country by the majority; though I do worry about the young generation's ammoral upbringing and those parents who raise them without the fear of God and His Christ.