Halle Berry Calls Out BBC DJ for "Racist Moment"

is this really newsworthy ... for fucks sake

Yes, I think it is. And I'm wondering why seeing it posted upsets you so?

well he was right about one thing. he is big and he is fat

doesn't upset me in the slightest mate. you yanks just don't get our english humour.

lighten up squire.

I kinda agree with vernon-granted it wasn't particularly funny, but a fat white doing a crap impression of a black guy isn't racist is it ?
Except maybe toward Americans!

Moyles is ignorant and talentless and why the BBC promote him is really beyond me, although they do have a penchant for using self-absorbed, celebrity whore, narrow-minded guys called Chris on their breakfast show. Most days he is borderline sexist and racist and simply not funny or clever and certainly not used to a celeb actually challenging him. Way to go Halle B.

Moyles is ignorant and talentless and why the BBC promote him is really beyond me, although they do have a penchant for using self-absorbed, celebrity whore, narrow-minded guys called Chris on their breakfast show. Most days he is borderline sexist and racist and simply not funny or clever and certainly not used to a celeb actually challenging him. Way to go Halle B.

... and Halle Berry has given the world what exactly ? get over yourselves

...and Halle Berry has given the world what exactly? What's your point bloke?

Talentless! I like that. I wonder, Stuart, if you've ever tried to present a three-hour radio show, let alone one that pulls in 8 million listeners? I can tell you, Moyles is supremely talented at what he does: to whit, making planned radio sound spontaneous. He's funny and intelligent. Furthermore, impersonating someone is NOT racist. The guy was talking in the context of being James Bond, for goodness sake, how derogatory is that!? I'm fed up with all this reactionary PC crap, every story like this detracts from the kudos of stories about certain European football fans making monkey noises whenever (for example) Sammy Eto'o gets the ball. That's newsworthy racism. This isn't.

Cheers Russell, I agree 100% with you on the Eto'o stuff ... but I doubt these Yanks even know who he is.

With the stereotype of criminality looming over the head nearly every black male in American society and thus the general (but very diverse)black community in America, I think it is reasonable, from Halle Berry's perspective, to question the speaker. It is far better for her to say something as opposed to just let it go. Afterall, she did not spew out "You racist $#@! - I'm going to sue your @#$!." An earlier poster suggested that American's don't understand English humor. Humor is clearly subjective and the speaker should have taken that into account especially given the history of racism and discrimination in the movie industry alone. Especially from an actress that had to fight through the stereotypes to make it to her level, regardless of her talent level. Whether or not this is newsworthy should not derail the legitimacy of Berry's interest as to whether the remark was racist at worst or at least culturally insensitive. Ironically, Halle's remark may bring more attention to "monkey noise" fan. To repeat, in this case, it is better to say something than nothing at all.

well thought out reply ... Moyles was possibly 'culturally insensitive' as you suggest, but the fact this makes news around the world is crazy ... was it just because it was Halle Berry ? had it of been some rapper would the same fuss have been made ? or is Halle Berry a different kind of black person ? you tell me ....

To address "Vernon Kay" and others who don't think Moyles' comments shouldn't be questioned:

1. Moyles made it racial when he said it was his impression of a "big, fat, BLACK guy". He would have just said "big fat guy" or " big, fat new yorker" if there were no derogatory intent. What does "black" have to do with an "American" impression? As I've traveled around the world, the perception most people seem to have , in terms of the color of an American is usually "white" anyway. I've never been assumed to be American until I speak, which is the case for most Black Americans who travel abroad. So, Moyles' excuse " Americans don't get British humor" was an asinine attempt to explain his mea culpa.
2. Halle is definitely right to question this idiot's intentions. These kind of comments "slip" by in everyday life, which gives others " permission to esculate the intent like the monkey sounds toward Eto. It's public figures, like Halle who have the responsibility to bring these issues to light for discussion, enlightened sensitivity, and for change.
3. To the question, what has Halle done to enrich the world..let's put it this way, a lot more people around the world know who Halle is (an A list superstar) than this yahoo, Moyles..I have never heard of him until HALLE called him on his racist remarks.

how ridiculous, of course that's not racist. It's like doing an impression of a white speccy computer nerd - is that racist? Or putting on a deep mexican accent and saying you're a fat mexican. Ridiculous.

Also actors (with few exceptions) have to be the most self-gratifying people on the planet, and this just highlights the pompous self-importance that seems ingrained in Hollywood these days.

Sam,

1. Are you really suggesting all/most "computer nerd guys" are white? Because that comment sounds racially offensive too. Why does there have to be a color attached? How does a "white, fat American" sound compared to a "black fat American"? Are you suggesting Al Roker sounds differently than Willard Scott(Today show weathermen, both "big, fat Americans", one white, the other black)?

2. Your comments above just made my point... When you used the example of a person using a "Mexican accent and saying you're a fat Mexican" you only referred to the Nationality not the race or skin color of the person...and I'm sure you realize there are "white" mexicans (ie talk show host Cristina) "tan/lightbrown" Mexicans (ie salma hayek) and brown/dark brown (ie George Lopez)--mindful that there are different Mexican dialects as in America. The same is true for Americans, so when you attach skin color, most would question your intent as racist or ignorant, just as Halle did Moyles'.

ok here's the thing guys. i dunno if this is an english/american clash in types of humour. but in britain we take things with a sense of sarcasm and irony. chris moyles is NOT racist, and the suggestion that he is, is both insulting and ignorant and he has every right to express his frustration at it. Halle berry has no right calling the man racist, what he said was not meant to offend black people, it was a simple, sumwhat politically incorrect, joke. thats it, a JOKE. enough said, the guy does his job well and makes a lot of people's days start off on a happier note. the guy reprwsents an average british young man, stop insulting us all.

lighten up Halle, nothin sayz funny as a British white boy, try'n to act like a fat black dude.

To the English:

If you don't get it by now, you'll never get it...

Don't get it? That is a laughable comment to make. In the UK we are stampng down on the kind of racist chanting Eto'o is receiving across europe. Racism is abhorrent and I object strongly to the accusation that we are complacent. That arrogant kind of comment is the result of a holier than thou position which is just not tenable.

We have had a full discussion of this supposed racist comment in the press and OK it was a little foolish to say but Halle came onto that show with a bad attitude and clearly was not interested in taking part in an interview which is in a relaxed morning show.

The shocked silence in the studio when she asked " are we having a racist moment here?" was a result of everyone thinking....no ....we are not.....that was not racist. By the way thanks for saying something.

To flip the scenario was the idea of Moyles (who is admittedly carying a few extra pounds) playing a body double of James Bond (completely contrasting body shape) insulting? If you want to take that sancimonious position yes nd whoever suggested it should be repremanded.

In this instance Halle was not in a great mood. Hugh Jackman was funny. Moyles made a comment after an apalling accent which was interpreted wrongly by a grumpy non-responsive hollywood actress.

Halle....cheer up. It wasn't racist. It was a bad accent which was made as part of poking fun at a tubby guy. Bond id english....god knows why he was doing the accent. Its a blip....get over it.

To the English supporters of Moyles:
You really don't get it do you?

1. You keep saying Moyles' comment wasn't meant to offend black people/Halle, but it obviously did.
2. In America, if someone is an invited guest, then they should expect not to be subjected to insulting comments in their presence. Then, to add insult to injury, be accused of being in "a bad mood" when you bring it to the offender's attention.
3. Assuming racism was not a factor (in this case, it seems to be),the appropriate thing to do for someone with a bare minimum of class or common sense (obviously does not apply to Moyles') is to immediately apologize for the mis-understanding. Isn't that what one would do if you 'accidentally' offended a guest in your home?

1. It did. I am not suggesting it didn't. What I am trying to clarify is that I do not believe that it was in any way intended to be insulting. It was a mistake on his part. There is a considerable difference between soeone deliberately airing their racist beleifs on national raadio and someone accidentally saying something which is taken in this way.

2.The suggestion (not accusation,apologies if that is how it reads) that Halle Berry was in a less that great mood was correct irrespective of the comments we are discussing. They came not at the beginning of the interview but about half-way through during which he repeatedly tried to involve Halle. She sounded like she had got out of the wrong side of the bed that morning and the comments we are discussing on another day, might have been taken the way they were intended.

I would also like to point out that you suggest above that Moyles subjected her to insulting comments. They were discussing Moyles (carying not a little extra poundage) playing James Bond. For some reason an american accent came out which Hugh suggested was Brooklyn Bond. The accent was ridiculous as is the accusation that it was aimed at Halle or that it was intended as racist. When she asked if he was having a racist moment there was absolute silence then Chris saying that he just couldn't do accents.

3.I do not know wether you are suggesting in the frst sentence that racism was a factor or not but I would like to agree that he should have apologised. That he didn't is one reason that this has blown up so much. He did clarify that he didn't intend anything offensive

The coverage that that interview got over here in the tabloids was part of these papers obsession with Chris Moyles. He is not well liked by some of the columnists partially because if they say something insulting (not only about him) he replies on air to them. Some of these 'journalists' have gone after him as a result and I am sure the more hysterical papers sold many more copies.

We do understand that racism of any type is abhorrent and should be stamped out wherever it occurs. In this case I don't think (and neither does the BBC) that Chris Moyles intended any offence.

1. I understand your point here, that Moyles' intention was not to offend. However, the fact that Halle is a Black American and the reference to a "fat, Black, American" suggests that Black Americans have a different accent than other Americans. If Moyles believes this, then the question would be, how is the accent different? Whatever his answer is would be either based in ignorance or racism. Why? Because Black Americans don't have different accents than other Americans, but there are regional differences regardless of 'race' in American accents/dialects(Brooklyn vs Georgia or Ohio vs texas, etc) like Hugh jackman referenced in his reply to Moyles. This is why his comment wasn't offensive or questioned...it was appropriate for the context of the joke.

2. Halle probably had an attitude because Moyles made some other derrogatory comments before the interview began...who knows, with the degree of ignorance he so willingly displayed ON-AIR. Any self-respecting Black American who have asked the same question. Even if that wasn't the case, her mood is no excuse for blantant ignorance or subtextual racism masked as a "joke". The fact that he even tried to justify his comments by deflecting the blame on Halle's supposed attitude speaks to his ignorance anyway. He should have just "jumped on the sword" since she was a guest and his comments obviously offended people.

When Halle asked the question rather than making a statement, she clearly let Moyles know how she perceived his comments which gave him the opportunity to clarify his words or intentions. When he didn't, he clearly implied he meant what he said, Halle's perception included.
3. I understand and agree with your points.

whatever ur all fools. he was having a laugh, chill out. things are funnier when u attach stigma to them, thats the whole point. im sure no offense was meant, maybe its the people who read too deeply into this sort of thing that have the ''problem''.

its just another case of a black screaming racism.

Dee nuts...just another case of a ignorant white...you probably make monkey sounds at black soccer players too !

Some of you make some interesting points here, but a lot of what you say is crap. To speculate that Moyles' made other derrogatory comments makes you look stupid and uninformed. To the person who said American's dont get British humour, you look very, very stupid.

It would be interesting to see what would have happened if halle berry had not said anything. Would it have been reported in the papers? Would there be a forum debating it? I doubt it very much.

Hollywood !!!

Hollywood movies are generally meant for white people .... the movie industry was never meant for Latinos & Blacks nor Asians or any mixed race people and the funny thing about this is that the Jews helped support the racism in the film industry!!!

The film industry in Hollywood only sees white people....... until you have more ethnic movie producers.... that is what Hollywood will always be a Racist Haven for White Film and TV producers.

You have a few good Latino and Asian, Black actors in Hollywood. and hundreds that you don't ever see.... but Hollywood has pretty much filled there quota on Latino and Black, Asian actors and actresses ......no matter what they tell you or try to sell you...your eyes don't lie and neither does the camera...but white people do every day in this industry and they don't have to change there racist ways because they have the industry in the palm of there hands just like anything else in this country.

"Hollywood and the Movie and TV Industry belongs to "White People" and was never meant for anyone else....just like the clothes for "Tommy Hilfiger"...where never meant for "Blacks to Wear"

People of all ethnic backgrounds in this country are brain and whitewashed and the actors and actresses are too... they don't see the big picture!!!...the big picture is that the movie and TV Shows were meant to advertise White Men and White Women!!! and to glorify there image all over the world...and this is an inside thing.... something you will not read in a book or find anywhere else ....why do you think that most of all the casting calls are mainly cast by race and ethnicity?

Well .....take a strong look at how all the movies are being created to today when they have beautiful Latino or Black and Asian women in movies and TV and very few at that.. who are they coupled up with?....well lets see?...hum.. Ok "White Men" you will very rarely see it the other way around. The Movie and TV glorify White Men as the bread winners voted the worlds Sexiest and the Wittiest and Romantic Adventuress, Responsible and Caring.

And when they show a Latin and Black guy or Asian guys on TV ....well lets see?...he is Funny, Comical....A bad guy or a thug and just a Karate fighter and also as your Traditional Side Kick!!!.

If you think That ... I am full of crap and negative for stating all this... you just turn on your TV or just go to the movies and you tell me what you see....remember your eye's don't lie neither does the camera !!!

A solution to all this above? quit supporting there ratings and there movies and rental movies and just get regular basic cable and save your money instead of making these people "Become Richer" who don't want to see you on the TV succeed ... and when you hit white people in there pockets then you will see a change ...see Asians and Latinos and African Americans and all other ethnic races of people you have the power ...it is at your finger tips to a remote to your TV set you can make a difference.

If you don�t �it will get worse!!! Don�t Support there Ratings or Films �Hollywood Will Go Broke!!!�

Send this letter to Everybody you know and don�t know!!! Send it all over the world!!!

777

Lighten up everyone from pete's sake! It was British humour, not a racist comment. Chris Moyles is not that type of person. He's a very funny guy who means well. It was a bit of light hearted fun - don't take things too seriously! Chill.