Tourette advocate's BAFTA slur gets no empathy from stars



It was a perfect Hollywood moment. Perfectly revealing, that is.

John Davidson, the inspiration behind the film “I Swear,” earned an invitation to the recent BAFTA awards gala. The film chronicles the life of a man suffering from Tourette syndrome, a condition that finds the sufferer sharing cruel, involuntary outbursts.

We don’t want to spoil the film, but it’s likely China and India won’t be name-checked enough in the screenplay.

They. Can’t. Help. Themselves.

Sadly, Davidson’s inability to control his tongue tainted the early moments of the ceremony. His swears could be heard in the venue, even though he wasn’t on the stage at the time.

Host Alan Cumming apologized for Davidson’s comments early in the show, noting the cruel nature of the incurable condition. But when Davidson’s racially charged comments bled into the audio feed while black performers Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo took the stage, the reaction was hyperbolic.

Yes, the “N-word” remains a vile reminder of our bigoted past, an awful word that has earned its toxic brand. But Davidson didn’t mean to utter the foul word. He literally couldn’t help himself.

Yet the same artistic community that pleads for empathy and understanding recoiled at the moment. The story has lingered for days in the legacy media. Jamie Foxx publicly called out Davidson, while one BAFTA judge quit after the incident.

They ignored the facts of his condition and embraced their victim status, even though Davidson is the ultimate victim. The real villain is the person in charge of the show’s feed who didn’t bleep out the offending words.

May he or she never work an awards broadcast again.

The kerfuffle punished poor Davidson all over again. And instead of basking in a personal triumph — a movie that asked people to understand and forgive his tragic condition — he got a nightmare he’ll never forget ...

RELATED: 'He meant that s**t': Actors rage after man with Tourette's yells N-word during award show

Photos by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage (L), Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images (R)

Pine-ing away

Imagine watching your Oscar-winning wife star in a rom-com alongside a handsome leading man. That’s the reality Dave McCary faces, and it’s all his fault.

McCary is married to “Bugonia” star Emma Stone, and he’s agreed to direct her in the upcoming romance “The Catch.” Her co-star? None other than Captain Kirk himself, Chris Pine.

It’s unclear if the film will have an “intimacy coordinator” on set, but we image Pine will be more than a little nervous when he goes in for a buss. Hope he sets his phaser on, “Hey, it’s in the script” …

Inconvenient Truth 2: Electric Boogaloo

Remember when “An Inconvenient Truth” forced America to do everything possible to stop global war — we mean climate change? Or when “The Day After Tomorrow” and “Don’t Look Up” did the job? Or the dozen-plus documentaries pleading with U.S. voters to do something, anything, about global apocalypse, economic fallout be darned?

No? That’s OK. Turns out we were all waiting for this movie to change everything.

The project, based on the book “Losing Earth,” is set in 1980 and shows climate expects warning the world that something must be done, or else. Filming is set to begin shortly under director Tom McCarthy (“Spotlight,” “Win Win”).

The cast and crew are a who’s who of Hollywood, including Paul Rudd, John Turturro, Paul Giamatti, Jason Clarke, Tatiana Maslany, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck. The latter two superstars are executive producers on the project.

We don’t want to spoil the film, but it’s likely China and India won’t be name-checked enough in the screenplay, nor any of Al Gore’s “Inconvenient” predictions ...

'View' boo-boo

“The View” wants to be sued oh, so badly.

The dumber-than-dumb ABC show routinely creeps up to the line, only to read a few “legal notes” later to save its skin. And sadly, their collective TDS appears incurable.

The latest example?

Sunny Hostin read an alleged excerpt from the Epstein files that said President Donald Trump had once sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl. The claim is part of the more preposterous side of the files, wild allegations that have no credibility. Otherwise legacy media outlets would be covering it 24-7 and/or the Biden administration would have leaked it years ago.

How do we know? Later in the show, legal scholar Joy Behar coaxed Hostin to clarify her earlier comments:

I want to be very careful here because these are allegations, and President Trump has consistently — they're unverified allegations, and President Trump has consistently denied all the allegations and any wrongdoing. BUT there was a presentation made by the FBI, and the witness stated that Jeffrey Epstein introduced her to Trump, who subsequently forced her head down and punched her in the head in response to something that she did.

Imagine if Hostin had been “very careful” in the first place.

It’s just a matter of time before someone on “The View” gets a tap on the shoulder to find legal documents in their face.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Might Be ‘Non-Woke,’ But It’s Not The Conservative Triumph We Need

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'Jackass' star Johnny Knoxville finally reveals what makes him cry — and it's as insane as you think



Johnny Knoxville is not a regular human being, and his latest interview has cemented that fact.

The "Jackass" series and movie star sat down with Rolling Stone, marking 25 years since his famous cover shoot with the outlet.

'The whole world was closing in, and ... I have a lot of sympathy for myself then.'

As a fifth "Jackass" movie is in the making, the new "Fear Factor: House of Fear" host discussed his greatest stunts, production hurdles, and even brain injury fallout. However, what is grabbing attention online is Knoxville's brief emotional breakdown during the interview.

No bull

After discussing what it feels like to have an eyeball come out of its socket — with Knoxville describing his vision at the time as "fuzzy" TV lines — host Alex Morris asks the stuntman if there was one stunt he thought he would never get to do again.

At 54 years old and 16 concussions deep, the Tennessee native got choked up before answering.

"I don't want to get emotional. I can't. God damn. I hate when this happens," Knoxville begins, fighting back tears.

"No, this is good. I was gonna ask when the last time you cried was," the reporter says, trying to comfort her guest.

Then Knoxville reveals the source of his pain:

"I can't mess around with bulls anymore."

Confused, Morris follows up, "And that — you're, and that makes you emotional?"

"Yeah. It's terrible," he replies, before getting deeper into the emotional reality of a stuntman.

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'Steer'ing his thoughts

The host asks Knoxville why that makes him cry; was it the thought of his art form being limited by injury or the memory of catastrophic brain damage?

"No, I just want to play with them," the actor reveals. "And I'm trying not to — trying not to indulge in those thoughts."

Although the bull-induced injury was not the source of his emotional pain, Knoxville takes time to go into detail about the five- to six-month period during which he suffered from "catastrophic thinking" and "ruminating" thoughts.

"The whole world was closing in, and ... I have a lot of sympathy for myself then, because your brain's feeding you such terrible information. And people outside were telling me like, 'Your brain's playing tricks on you.' I'm like, no, no, it's happening. [But] nothing's happening."

The same brain that comes up with stunts like being shot with riot control munitions and balancing a teeter-totter around a charging bull apparently turned its back on Knoxville. He describes his recovery time as his "creative brain turned against me" while his mind "just fell off a cliff."

RELATED: 'He meant that s**t': Actors rage after man with Tourette's yells N-word during award show

Photo by FOX via Getty Images

Please, Clapp

Other parts of the discussion briefly touched on former Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) attacking the "Jackass" brand in 2001, as well as Knoxville's upbringing in a Southern Baptist Church in the 1970s.

Real name Philip John Clapp, born 1971 in Knoxville, Tennessee, the action star said that the fire-and-brimstone talk was too much for him to handle at a young age.

"You know, you're 7, 8, just having to go and sit there and be quiet and listening about burning in hell. And I'm like, 'Wow.'"

"It was a lot," he adds. "I think that's why, maybe one of the reasons I hate being told what to do so much."

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Here Are 6 Of Robert Duvall’s Greatest Performances To Commemorate His Stunning Career

Duvall's career spanned a period of incredible transition in the United States from the 1950s to his last roles in 2022. His is a legacy few can ever hope to match.

'He meant that s**t': Actors rage after man with Tourette's yells N-word during award show



A man who was being honored at an award show caused controversy by yelling "n*****" while two black actors were on stage.

A movie about a man with Tourette's syndrome won multiple awards over the weekend at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards, Britain's Oscars equivalent.

'Tourette's makes you say that?'

John Davidson, the inspiration for the film, was in the audience to see "I Swear" take home three trophies, but the event was not without controversy related to his affliction.

Jarring outburst

As actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the award for best visual effects — the first award of the night — Davidson was heard yelling the N-word, causing an abrupt pause in the show until Lindo decided to carry on with the presentation.

According to the Mirror, Davidson was also heard shouting phrases like "shut the f**k up" and "boring" during the award show, and even said "f**k you" during the presentation for the best children's and family film.

However, several Hollywood personalities took issue with Davidson's racial slur, with one even saying it was not an accident.

RELATED: With Sundance gone, Utah bets on AI film festival as a force for 'social change'

'Infuriating' reaction

After writer Jemele Hill asked if "Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanized so that other people don't feel bad," actor Wendell Pierce ("The Wire") added that he felt the reason behind the cursing did not matter.

"It's infuriating that the first reaction wasn't complete and full throatted [sic] apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan," he wrote on X. "The insult to them takes priority. It doesn't matter the reasoning for the racist slur."

Actor and singer Jamie Foxx took his statements one step further and claimed Davidson meant what he said.

"Nah he meant that s**t," Foxx wrote in response to the video on Instagram, the Guardian reported.

Foxx made additional comments, including, "Out of all the words, you could've said Tourette's makes you say that?" Foxx added, followed by, "Unacceptable."

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Royal ruckus

Davidson has been a well-known activist for his syndrome in the U.K. for decades since he appeared in a BBC documentary in 1989 called "John's Not Mad."

He has previously admitted that he yelled, "F**k the Queen," when he met the late monarch.

According to advocacy group Tourette Association of America, the phenomenon is known as coprolalia and affects a small percentage of those with Tourette's.

The inability to control "obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks" comes from the "overwhelming urge" to twitch, shout, or swear.

"The particular manifestation of such language may have to do with the individual's stronger emotional content in certain parts of the brain" but is "not indicative of their personal convictions (such as in the context of racial slurs)."

The BBC apologized for the remarks heard on air, with a spokesperson saying, "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards 2026. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette's syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard."

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With Sundance gone, Utah bets on AI film festival as a force for 'social change'



From render farm to red carpet?

No sooner had the lights come up on Utah’s final year hosting the Sundance Film Festival than state officials announced a very different cinematic bet: artificial intelligence.

'Nuovo has presented a forward-thinking approach.'

According to Variety, Utah has approved a $2 million grant for a new initiative called the Nuovo Film Festival, described by the state as a “film ecosystem” built around AI-driven production. Plans reportedly include a filmmaking lab, an AI-powered soundstage, and expanded incentive programs aimed at attracting filmmakers to the state.

Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance grew into one of the premier cultural and commercial forces in American film, launching independent directors, shaping awards seasons, and helping define modern indie cinema. As its contract expired and Boulder offered both financial incentives and a cultural climate seen as more aligned with the festival’s direction, Sundance chose to leave Utah after more than four decades.

Nuovo organizers outlined five “pillars” in presentation materials cited by Variety.

The first proposes a lab to “teach new filmmakers how to tell their story using technology and AI.” The second centers on incentive programs. The third focuses on constructing an AI soundstage — one that may require its own dedicated power source.

RELATED: 'Shut the f**k up!' Actor Jamie Kennedy slams Hollywood's hypocrisy over ICE

Your browser does not support the video tag. Footage by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

The cost-saving claims are ambitious. Organizers suggested a $200 million film that traditionally takes three years to complete could be produced in nine months for roughly $10 million using AI-assisted workflows. Those figures remain projections, not proven results.

The fourth pillar involves collaboration with Harbor Fund, a Utah-based nonprofit. Founded in 2018, Harbor Fund describes its mission as pairing filmmakers with philanthropic capital to support "films that matter." It's website prominently features a quote from movie critic Roger Ebert: “The movies are like a machine that generates empathy."

In effect, Utah’s proposed AI film hub would not only streamline production but also align itself with what organizers describe as “impact-driven filmmaking.”

The fifth pillar calls for certificate programs at high schools and colleges to train students in makeup, set design, sound, staging, and editing — building a workforce tailored to AI-enabled production.

“Utah would have the dedicated and trained workforce to allow filmmakers to come here and use the local workforce instead of bringing them here,” the presentation reportedly stated.

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Photo by: Visions of America/Joe Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Lance Soffe, director of targeted industries for the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, framed the move as forward-looking.

“Traditional festivals are not generating the same impact they once did,” Soffe said. “Instead of trying to recreate an aging model, Nuovo has presented a forward-thinking approach that builds on Utah’s legacy while embracing where the industry is going.”

The new Utah festival will be led by a board comprised of former MGM Television chief Mark Burnett, advertising moguls, and venture capitalists.The announcement comes as the broader film industry remains unsettled over AI.

On the same day the Utah investment drew attention, AMC Theatres faced backlash over reports it would screen an AI-generated short film before previews. The short “Thanksgiving Day” won the Frame Forward AI Film Festival and was reportedly slated for wide theatrical exposure. After criticism mounted, AMC said its locations would not participate.

While policymakers and investors see efficiency and reduced costs, audiences appear less certain about replacing human-driven filmmaking with algorithmic production.

ET TU, U2? Irish rockers join Bruce on anti-ICE bandwagon



"In the Name of ... Unlimited Immigration?"

U2, the band that rocketed to fame with songs like the Martin Luther King Jr. tribute “Pride (In the Name of Love),” just put out a surprise EP “Days of Ash.” The stealth release includes a tribute to the late anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement activist Renee Good. The Irish rockers probably saw Bruce Springsteen getting all that fawning press for his anti-ICE tirades and wanted in on the action.

Goldberg once asked Epstein if she could hitch a ride on his plane. Or she claims someone did so on her behalf.

Still, the legendary band’s choice of martyrs is a mite suspect at this late date. “American Obituary” is the song’s tortured title, and it’s a sad reminder of how the foursome famously toured the U.S. in the Reagan era, a trek captured in the 1988 concert film “U2: Rattle and Hum.”

That documentary and accompanying album saw the Irish rockers luxuriating in American culture. Now, lead singer, Bono, is calling out MAGA and ignoring all the actions that led to Good’s tragic death.

The bright side? The band isn’t force-feeding us their music this time ...

Taylor's version

If you mock the left, they will come.

And by “they,” we mean viewers. Paramount Plus’ “Landman” series, starring the mighty Billy Bob Thornton, wrapped its second season with its highest ratings yet.

The show generated 1.62 billion minutes of viewing time during the week of Jan. 19-25, second only to Netflix’s “Stranger Things” for an original streaming series.

This season of “Landman” featured several swipes at the left, including a conversation mocking ABC’s “The View” and an extended assault on pronouns. The latter featured ditzy Ainsley (Michelle Randolph) sparring with her college’s woke administrator and, later, her nonbinary roommate.

Most shows wouldn’t dare broach these subjects, let alone in a farcical fashion, but showrunner Taylor Sheridan isn’t your average TV scribe. The heartland-friendly creator isn’t afraid to ruffle progressive feathers, and he does so while uncorking some elegantly written stories.

That may explain why the industry doesn’t shower him with Emmys, but he’s too busy juggling a half dozen (or more) shows to care ...

RELATED: 'I wasn't his girlfriend': Whoopi Goldberg breaks silence on her presence in the Epstein files

Photo (left): Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival; Photo (right): Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Best Pixel

Imagine there’s no virtue signaling at awards shows. It’s easy if you try.

Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey shared some thoughts on AI during a Variety/CNN town hall interview with fellow star Timothee Chalamet.

McConaughey earned his trophy for 2013’s “Dallas Buyers Club,” and he fears future red carpets may be crowded with computer-generated competition.

“Will we be, in five years, having ‘the best AI film’? ‘The best AI actor?'” he said. “Maybe. I think that might be the thing; it becomes another category. It’s going to be in front of us in ways that we don’t even see. It’s going to get so good we’re not going to know the difference.”

Another plus? AI actors can’t walk down red carpets wearing those insufferable “ICE Out” pins ...

Carpet cringe

By George, I think he’s got it.

Comic actor Jamie Kennedy of “Scream” fame added a dollop of common sense to Hollywood’s anti-ICE histrionics. Kennedy shared his views on celebrity activism tied to the illegal immigration enforcers, and he refused to read the preapproved talking points.

Instead, he pointed out the hypocrisy of stars safely sashaying down the red carpet while demonizing law enforcement on the “Trying Not to Die” podcast.

People are protesting ICE, and I understand the situation — but when you have actors from the red carpet of an award show, on there saying all of this stuff about "we’re under a fascist regime, we’re [under] authoritarianism ..." bro ... you’re literally guarded by the most top [security] — it’s insanity, you can’t say you’re under authoritarian rule when you’re literally being authoritarian.

Somewhere, Ricky Gervais is grinning ear to ear ...

Whoopi's whoopsie

“The View” is getting a crash course in Epstein files nuance.

The extreme-left show has pummeled President Donald Trump for being mentioned in the infamous files. But as everyone knows, a “mention” doesn’t mean much if there’s no “there-there.”

And to date, there isn’t, just a revelation that Trump cheered on police for investigating the ghoulish financier.

That hasn’t stopped the left or “The View” from connecting disparate dots. Until now. Turns out some “View” hosts, including Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg, are in those files too.

Goldberg once asked Epstein if she could hitch a ride on his plane. Or she claims someone did so on her behalf.

Awkward!

Now, fellow listee Behar is lecturing viewers that she’s totally innocent, and everyone named in the files isn’t a monster. The other embarrassing part? Behar attended Trump’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples:

"I was at Trump's wedding to Marla. Maybe Epstein was there too. Who knows? So that means I'm not guilty obviously, but these other ones, how are you going to decide who is really guilty and who is not? It’s very tricky!"

Tricky, you say? We say karma on steroids.