Gossip Cop: Barbara Walters 'insults' Amal Clooney

This is very interesting!


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Barbara Walters Insults “Most Fascinating Person” Amal Clooney – COMMENTARY
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Amal Clooney was wrongly chosen the “Most Fascinating Person” of 2014 by Barbara Walters on Sunday. This isn’t to say she’s not “fascinating.” But the reasons Walters gave were wrong and, for the most part, insulting.
After approximately one hour and 53 minutes, having listed Scarlett Johansson, Neil Patrick Harris, George R.R. Martin, Taylor Swift, David Koch, Michael Strahan, Elon Musk, Chelsea Handler, and Oprah Winfrey, as nine “fascinating” people from the past year, Walters introduced Amal Clooney as the “most fascinating.” So, did the news veteran start off with how Amal is an Oxford-educated, accomplished attorney? No. Did she begin by mentioning the powerful leaders who look to her for counsel? No. Instead, Walters kicked off her explanation of the choice of Amal as the “Most Fascinating,” by saying she’s “known primarily through her spouse” George Clooney.
Walters also wondered, “What does it take to fascinate one of the most fascinating men in the world,” and made a point of saying Amal’s husband has “fascinated many women.” She further insulted Amal (and other high-powered women) by stating that getting Clooney to the altar was “one of the greatest achievements in human history.”
The former “View” host then spent the show’s precious last few minutes focused on George Clooney talking about not wanting to get married, followed by discussing and showing footage of the litany of women he DIDN’T marry over the years. None of which was “fascinating” and more importantly, none of it had to do with Amal, who was chosen the “Most Fascinating Person.” More than half of the entire segment on Amal had passed before Walters listed one attribute about her. And even the first few things the newswoman said were only in relation to her husband. Walters noted that Amal, like her husband, is passionate about human rights issues, and like her husband, is also the child of a journalist.
But it got even more insulting. When finally discussing Amal’s professional career, Walters said the lawyer made a name for herself defending “women’s rights, while looking gorgeous.” Following more short shrift about Amal’s accomplishments, the show’s host returned the focus to the Clooneys’ wedding and the bride’s fabulous clothes.
Walters concluded, what she thankfully said will be her last special, by saying, “It is heartening to think, that no matter how long it may take, the perfect someone is out there for everyone, and that for us makes her the Most Fascinating Person of 2014.” What?! Gossip Cop happens to like Walters, but feels that the only thing that was remotely “fascinating” was how she took a very powerful woman, and degradingly reduced her accomplishments to simply marrying a man, albeit a handsome and fascinating one. Check out the video below, and tell us your thoughts

I agree with this 100%. This is a woman who has made a career for herself in television and is/was an important figure. Why is she so degrading towards another very succesful woman? She shouldn't be applauding the fact that Amal has caught an eternal bachelor but she should be applauding the fact that Amal is independent, intelligent and a careerwoman. And this isn't even about Amal but with women in general. We as women should applaud other strong women. There is still inequality between men and women and why would you, as a woman, emphasise that a woman is only interesting, no fascinating, because of her marriage. This is not the right example, Barbara. And now I'm done.

Absolutely agree with everything you say, Codexchick.

What is ineresting is that just a few hours before, Gossipcop had gone with the Walters story and endorsed it!

Mmmm..............

I addressed this yesterday in the other thread on Amal making most fascinating person. I agree with what Codexchick said. And I said in the other thread that this was insulting to Amal. Walters was putting Amal on a pedestal for the wrong reasons. Walters should have known better. She really should have. A seasoned journalist like herself. But I've seen a number of her past celebrity programs and many times she will ask the most inane questions.

Maybe GossipCop got some real negative feedback from their original story. Maybe it came from the female members of their staff. It was quite obvious to all of us that what Walters said was totally off.

Everything you all say is true - BUT - nobody would have even known who Amal was if she hadn't married George. That's what made her fascinating to the world . Would we be talking about her at all if they had never met? I doubt it.

Maybe now that the novelty of their marriage is wearing off she'll be recognized for her other accomplishments.

She insulted all of the ex's that "couldn't" get George to marry them. She also insulted Princess Diane, Jackie Kennedy and Kate Middleton by comparing Amal to them.  I am sorry but I don't see Amal as a human rights activist or human rights attorney.  When you go to some of these godforsaken places and hold a dying baby with aids in your arms or all the other wonderful things Princess Diane has done, instead of putting on a fashion show with all your expensive clothes, then maybe the expression human rights might fit.

The piece was insulting to women. It stated George's previous partners threw themselves at George. Please. It also implied that all the other women wanted to marry George. I think at least a few were enjoying the fun of George's charms. I never got the impression Lisa Snowden was pining for a ring, just enjoying the rise. Not every woman is looking for a husband.

LizzyNY, I agree most people wouldn't have known who Amal was if she hadn't married George but that doesn't make her any less fascinating to those who know her. She isn't fascinating to the world like Barbara has declared. She's fascinating to Barbara. Maybe Barbara has had a thing for George all these years and was amazed that this woman was the one to win him over.

I feel when Amal is made a fuss over by the media it triggers resentment and indignation in alot people who might otherwise be neutral about her. So they end up disliking her and really she is just living her life. She doesn't have control over how other people see her. I don't think she purposely manipulates the press to her advantage. There will be posters here who strongly disagree with me but that's my personal take on it.

Ah don't bash the aged for they know not what they say, do or whether they had a bowel movement today.

Depends that's what's needed!  Get BabaWawa a case for her birthday!

Donnamarie - I didn't say Amal is manipulating the press. Personally, I think she's becoming used to it and may even be enjoying it more than a little bit. And I'm sure she was totally fascinating to those who knew her before George and is now charming the pants off all her new friends.

However, those of us outside her charmed circle only know what we see in the media. I find her interesting, but not fascinating. There are many women as accomplished, as well dressed. more beautiful who interest me more. What I DO find fascinating is that she got George to marry her.

LizzyNY - I wasn't implying that you thought Amal was manipulating the press. Not at all. But there are many who do think she uses the press to her advantage.

But it sounds like you agree with Barbara about why Amal is "fascinating". She got George. Nobody else could.

Bottom like I think Barbara insulted Amal and women in general with her comments.

LorneDoone yes I think Barb has passed her prime and is clueless. Depends? Hmmmm

Ah, well, you see I think the writer of the piece knows more than he's telling and being deliberately vague about the leaders.

 It's very odd that Gossipcop have gone from one sort of article about the programme to exactly the opposite point of view in a matter of hours.

Who had a word with them?

Ah, the author of the piece is the founder of the column, and lead writer............

GossipCorp denied all the rumors in the past through "Clooneys rep" so there was a connection between the clooney Office and gossipcorp...I guess Clooneys rep made a call and complaint now......

Maybe. But Lewittes' father has a law practice in NYC.......and maybe they know more about Amal and her contacts too.......

If their dinner out at Asanebo was to celebrate her being the "most fascinating person of the year", why would they be complaining?

Well, that's the assumption/conclusion everyone has come to......so not sure. They certainly looked happy.

Just seems weird - almost as if someone at Gossipcop put out the first story and then the owner/founder came in and wrote another angle under his own by line.Who knows? Maybe his wife was incensed!

Um Kofi Annan for one?