That “Life of Brian” trans scene: brilliant, prescient, and now forbidden
In an odd coincidence, two days ago I sent a friend a video of one of my favorite comic scenes from “Life of Brian,” made in 1979:
And last night I saw this article about a new stage production based on the movie. Guess what?:
Cleese told an audience at his one-man show last week that when the scene (co-written with the late Graham Chapman) was performed at a read-through for the new show in New York last year, doubts emerged. ‘At the end, I said to the American actors: ‘What do you think?’ And they said: ‘We love the script, but you can’t do that stuff about Loretta nowadays.’
Can’t.
‘So here you have something there’s never been a complaint about in 40 years, that I’ve heard of, and now all of a sudden we can’t do it because it’ll offend people. What is one supposed to make of that? But I think there were a lot of things that were actually, in some strange way, predictive of what was actually going to happen later.’
We now have the institutionalization of that “struggle against reality” that was mentioned in the clip. But whatever you think of trans people and even if you are largely sympathetic and supportive, the truth is that a biological man cannot become pregnant and have a baby.
Many trans people admit that, and are appalled at what today’s extreme trans activists have done in their name. There are actually a number of trans YouTubers who have embarked on trying to make it clear that they know that there are important biological differences between people who are born in a sex and people who transition to it, and it is not the least bit disrespectful or transphobic to admit the truth on the subject.
And then there are the de-transitioners, many of whom appear on YouTube as well. When I was writing this post I came across this recent video by a young man from Norway who was born a biological male, became a trans female (not a female; a trans female), and now realizes he is a male and always was. His story is harrowing, heartbreaking, horrific, and heroic. I’ve cued up just a couple of minutes that happen to be relevant to this post, but I recommend the entire video while warning you that it’s not for the squeamish:
NOTE: This is also an excellent interview with an endocrinologist who describes how science has been jettisoned in the treatment of the disorder.
I’m surprised it took the woke mob this long to cancel that scene. It’s clearly ‘offensive’ by their standards, particularly the last line.
Anyway, expect this censorship to continue unabated. Ah but it’s those bigoted MAGA Republicans who want to ban books (i.e. object when written porn is accessible in their kid’s schools)
Loretta is not amused and expects, nay, demands, that no one notice her folly. Tolerance, compassion, pity, can’t be forced.
Caitlyn Jenner has come out against allowing trans athletes to compete against biological girls and women: “As ‘somewhat’ of a track star myself, and a trans person, THIS IS WRONG!!! HELP ME PUSH BACK!” [Jenner] said on Twitter, where she linked to her political action committee, Fairness First.
“And FYA trans ppl you are being used by the radical gender ideology cult as political pawns. That’s all you are to them,” added Jenner, 73, who won the gold medal in the men’s decathlon at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
https://nypost.com/2023/05/23/caitlyn-jenner-lashes-out-after-trans-teens-second-place-finish/
Way too many people have way too much time on their hands nowadays, imo. With ‘AI’ stepping in to give them even more ‘time’ … can “The End” be far off… I wonder
Well, I’ve asked before “what is the physical basis of gender?” and nobody will answer, so I am still saying that gender is imaginary, like dragons or unicorns. How do you transition the Imaginary?
its about time for martinet, graham chapman to come into the picture, and say ‘this has gotten too silly indeed’
What surprises me is that Blazing Saddles hasn’t been removed from every platform. If there’s one film that insults everyone (and produced many huge laughs), that would be it. Wonderfully politically incorrect.
I was disappointed when reading this. I wish Cleese would have refused to bend. However, I don’t know the whole story. Maybe he didn’t have the legal ability to force the issue.
John Cleese has taken outspoken stands for free speech in comedy before, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
cleese got us into this mess, disdaining all the traditions, till the uk became a cramped little Airship one, he did all the prog things, affirmed all the verities until he finds himself under the Anvil
As someone who is trans, I agree with you, Neo, and the YouTubers you mentioned as well. What was a deeply traumatic experience growing up (well into my 20s) is now a fad, trivial and self-serving.
I am not, nor have I ever, been in support of people transitioning as a child, teenager or young adult. Cant say what age is appropriate but arbitrarily my opinion is at least 23-25… So much changes as you age, and applying hormones and irreversible surgery is not the right answer.
Leah:
Absolutely.
Two trans I’ve followed for years due to their conservative outlooks are Blair White and Ella Grant. Both did the whole gig: hormones and surgeries.
Blair underwent rather massive facial, and hairline reconstruction but no further. Oh, and tits. Elle actually didn’t need facial cosmetics or tits but underwent hormones and reassignment. Both were very open about what went on. Both are consistently attacked by the radical trans people.
Ella never went overtly political, just used momentary snipes at the radicals. Blaire is at full war and will bomb either political side when deemed fit.
Ella seems to have dropped off the radar. Too bad, a brilliant comedic and acting talent.
PS: Notice how easy it was not to have to use pronouns? Except for the first “their” used as an actual plural.
This actually pisses off the radicals too.
“Except for the first “their” used as an actual plural.”
Speaking of “they,” the fashion world’s most famous nonbinary is going to “be placed in a men’s jail in Maryland while waiting to be sent to Virginia over suitcase theft charges. . . . Under the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation policy, inmates are processed and housed according to their biological sex. . . . Arrest records show Brinton was arrested on May 17 at the 700 block of College Parkway as a fugitive from justice, and is being held without bail.”
https://nypost.com/2023/05/23/non-binary-sam-brinton-will-be-placed-in-mens-jail/
As several commenters have suggested, the jail’s gen pop welcoming committee is just waiting for Sam.
Well done, Oligonicella! It’s really not too hard to stop the pronoun madness.
To any Trans people who may be reading this, I think I speak for a lot of people when I say; I have no idea why “Trans” is now one of the dominant subjects in the culture, politics and sport.
I don’t pretend to understand the nature and/or cause of gender dysphoria and it has never bothered me that some people “identify” as Trans or “are” Trans. Like most Americans, mine is a live and let live approach to co-existing on a planet with billions of people.
Where I am confused, is why there is any notion that culture, politics and sport should be transmogrified to adjust to difficult demands by a very small percentage of people. As pointed out by others on this thread; not even all Trans people are in lockstep about culture, politics and sport. Why do my speaking, writing and reading have to be altered to match the demands of a subset of a group that is a small subset of humanity? Why do my government forms have to be changed to bend to the demands of this subset? Why do my schools, teams, public institutions, doctor’s conversations… all have to be altered?
I have idiosyncratic traits that differ from the majority and I’m convinced my traits are the “correct” traits. But I also understand I live among people who do not agree with those traits. Everyday that I am out and about among people, or navigating the roads and businesses and public institutions in my community there are dozens if not hundreds of things I find annoying, sometimes insulting, about the way systems are configured; people act; people dress; people drive; people work, people talk…
When confronted with people and systems designed differently than I prefer, I bite my tongue and get on with my day. I don’t make demands of others or insist businesses and public institutions bend to my will. Although I typically think the others are incorrect, I understand there are more of them than me, many more, and I understand it is inconsiderate to insist others change their behavior to accommodate my views, and I go about my day.
If I’m ever elected dictator of the world you’ll see some changes! 🙂 But until that time I understand I’m interacting with a large number of people who may have different opinions, desires, dreams and goals than I do, and I go along to get along.
Target and its new Gay pride clothing section and “tuck” bathing suits are in the news right now, but here’s another major company riding the LGBTQ+ wave to oblivion.
See the new North Face spokesperson at https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/05/north-face-unveils-new-ad-featuring-drag-queen/
@Rufus: It’s got nothing to do with the declared “topic” or “goal”. It’s simply exertion of control, making you bend the knee. Hence their insane response to “fuck off”.