Actress Amanda Peet has angered an autism support group, and now it’s calling for movie goers to shun Peet’s movies.
Don’t they do that already?
The trouble started with a printed skirmish between Peet and actress/Playboy starlet Jenny McCarthy.
Peet told a magazine interviewer parents who don’t get their children vaccinated are “parasites.”
Peet later apologized, but that wasn’t good enough for McCarthy, the parent of what a press release calls a “recovered autistic child.”
“She has a lot of balls to come forward and be on that side, because there is an angry mob on my side, I like the fact that I can say she’s completely wrong,” McCarthy told Spectrum Magazine.
Stay classy, Jenny.
The argument goes back to the running debate regarding vaccinations and autism rates. Some believe the two are linked.
As a result of the fracas, Autism United is calling on a boycott of Peet’s movies.
“We are not against vaccines, rather we are for safe vaccines. Until they understand that, we won’t back down. Ms. Peet’s comments are deplorable and an apology will not suffice,” said John Gilmore, executive director of Autism United.
For the boycott’s sake, Peet’s films include “X-Files: I Want to Believe,” “Martian Child” and “Saving Silverman.”
ALSO CHECK OUT:
Is the “R” word now off limits?
UPDATE: Yet another boycott (hat tip: frequent poster JIC). Let’s face it. Boycotts don’t work unless there’s real PC muscle behind them. That’s why the “Tropic Thunder” protests didn’t scratch the film’s b.o.
(Photo: Actress Amanda Peet’s latest role came in the new “X-Files” movie.)
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
blackhawk12151 09.30.08 at 5:18 pm
I’ve always liked Amanda Peet, her and Parker Posey have tons of talent but always seem to get stuck in roles where they are misused. I will admit her role selections have not been very good lately.
What I’d really like to know is under what circumstances did Peet feel the need to express her opinion about this issue?
cftoto 09.30.08 at 5:27 pm
Not sure the precise reason why Peet spoke out on this issue … but it isn’t the first time an actor tackled a dicey subject. And Peet is a good actress — check her out in “Igby Goes Down,” an unsung flick from a few year’s back.
Mike 09.30.08 at 9:40 pm
Regardless of why she expressed her views, she is correct. There is zero scientific evidence that autism is caused by vaccines. It is also correct that, until a sufficient percent of the population is vaccinated, a disease can become epidemic.
For once a Hollywood personality has it right on an important issue.
cftoto 09.30.08 at 9:48 pm
Mike, I was commenting more on the silly nature of the tiff than the hard data itself. Analyzing autism’s connection to vaccinations is ‘above my pay grade’ to quote a certain senator. I have two nephews with autism, and it’s a medical condition that clearly needs much more study. Thanks for your thoughts, though. It’s something my wife and I will have to study carefully before the birth of our first child in the new year.
jic 10.01.08 at 2:24 pm
On the subject of idiotic and counter-productive boycotts, have you heard about the National Federation of the Blind’s planned protest against Blindness?
cftoto 10.01.08 at 2:32 pm
JIC — just updated this posting thanks to your tip!