By Andrew Sanford | TV | March 13, 2024 |
By Andrew Sanford | TV | March 13, 2024 |
This may surprise you, but people freak out about the dumbest things. We see that with the book bans attempted across the country. We see it in close-minded people’s responses to members of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s cowardly, “moral” panic that can be so puritanical that it’s surprising the people involved aren’t accusing their targets of witchcraft (but give it time).
Taking on this ridiculousness firsthand, Stephen Colbert had Kristen Stewart on his show for a lovely interview. After several minutes, Colbert brought up a copy of Stewart’s recent Rolling Stone cover. Before Colbert presented it to the crowd, Colbert let it be known that CBS did not want him to show the photo. He did anyway.
Colbert jokes that Stewart looks “better in a jock strap than [he] ever did.” Then, they have a frank talk about people’s problems with the photo. Stewart quickly and succinctly points out the hypocrisy in the complaints. “Well, it’s a little ironic because I feel like I’ve seen a lot of male pubic hair on the cover of things. I’ve seen a lot of hands in pants and unbuttoned…” the actress said. “I think there’s a certain overt acknowledgment of a female sexuality that has its own volition in a way that is annoying for people who are sexist and homophobic.”
Colbert also rightly points out that there have certainly been far more revealing covers of Rolling Stone. Also, he says that the photo “violates public expectations of female sexuality.” Then Stewart says what should be said to people complaining about the photo: “F*** you.” Hilariously adding, “But I never will!”
Good for Stewart and Good for Colbert. There is nothing wrong with the photo. If people can’t handle it, be they CBS or losers on Twitter, then Colbert and Stewart have made it clear that they can keep that s*** to themselves.