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Petition against Can of Worms just doesn’t get it

A group with Alan Jones as its Patriot reacts badly to a Can of Worms joke, and doesn't get context.

In the latest turn of events in Alan Jones-gate, Can of Worms has become caught up in headlines calling for the show to be axed.

This follows a question on the panel show on Monday night which used his name as a punchline and subsequent quotes from Professor David Flint, who heads “conservative activist group” CANdo: Australia’s Voice.

Host Chrissie Swan posed a hypothetical to guests. “A mysterious man desperately wants to give you a million dollars. There is one catch. You have to perform one of the following.”

1. Run naked through Times Square singing Gangnam Style
2. Eat a plate of live cockroaches
3. Have sex with Alan Jones.

On the screen #3 was written as “Root Alan Jones” which is a lot cheekier.

Guest James Mathison replied, “I don’t even need my options to be eliminated, I will choose Root Alan Jones.

“There is no man in the country that needs to get laid more than Alan Jones. That guy is so up-tight that for our country I would bang him. For our nation I’d give Jonesy a bit of doodle whiskey.”

Alan Jones is Patron-in-Chief of CANdo which describes itself as “Australia’s independent, grassroots Community Action Network. We say all Australians should have the tools needed to preserve, protect and defend their individual rights, freedom and traditional values!”

Today on its website it is hosting a petition for TEN to axe Can of Worms.

Last week CANdo blogged in support of Alan Jones:

“We [CANdo] have no intention of dropping Alan Jones as our Patron,” it wrote.

“We must remember that although his comments were inappropriate, his enemies are going to try and capitalise on this. Any push organisations or companies to drop him are moves against him by his enemies.”

Would they have started a petition if the option was to have sex with the Prime Minister? Doubtful…

Nevertheless, TEN is standing by Can of Worms produced by Zapruder’s Other Films.

A TEN spokesperson told TV Tonight, “Monday night’s episode of Can Of Worms was classified M, displayed clear consumer advice and was broadcast in compliance with the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice. Whilst we recognise that parts of the program may not have been to everyone’s taste, classification and consumer advice is provided so that people may make informed viewing decisions for both themselves and those in their care.”

The “Alan Jones” question was undoubtedly cheeky.

It followed other provocative topics including urinating in the shower and references to a website called “Rate My Poo” (yes, the site actually exists). All of them fell within an M Classification. In many respects, that’s what the premise of Can of Worms is all about.

But if there was anything remiss in Monday night’s show it was the lack of Lifeline details after an audience member told the show her husband had taken his own life, during a panel discussion about the use of social media.

It was remiss of TEN not to screen contact details at the end of the show.

But CANdo, which has a Charter advocating “ensuring the nation has a healthy and well educated population,” hasn’t protested about this omission. It’s more concerned with the Jones reference and “removing this rubbish from public viewing”  (where were they when The Shire was on air or some of the things Paul Henry has said?).

CANdo has managed to get its name in News Limited and Fairfax newspapers. Ironically some articles are followed by some fairly offensive comments:

yet another example of Ms Swans inability to control either her own or another persons mouth. She is a bucket mouth, moron that has NO PLACE on our TV’s, I was amazed when she wasn’t sacked before, now she can’t contain herself or James Matheson from making stupid comments  (The Age)

If we haven’t come full circle yet on the ironies of abusive statements, respect for the individual, media publication and pushing other agendas then we must be pretty darn close.

While they are hot under the collar, CANdo may also want get a copy of the UK series Black Mirror which aired on SBS on Monday night.

The storyline involved a fictional British PM being blackmailed into having bestiality on TV.

Before they launch another petition, it was an MA rated satire and no actual Prime Ministers or pigs were harmed in the process.

19 Responses

  1. I hadn’t watched this show at all this season (clashes with X Factor), but I watched this one on Channel 10’s website as I read Anthony Callea’s comments following it on Twitter and was intrigued (how’s that for positive uses of social media – a topic they discussed on the panel). I really enjoyed it and LOL’d several times. I know the ratings have been dismal but hopefully if they give it a new timeslot (maybe 9:30 on another night that the X Factor doesn’t run 20 mins overtime?) more viewers might try it and flock to it. Chrissie Swan is a natural host and the other guy who’s name elludes me on the laptop does a great job too. Keep up the good work Can of Worms!

  2. @jonno

    Your not that far off topic, because what a squirming can of worms Jones and Costa gave us this morning, what a Double! Sunrise started out with much indignation about Jones vile comments, but within a couple of days their tone began to soften and it soon became very evident they were just itching to get Jones back on in his old spot, simply because he has so much ##it stiring to do for Tony before the next election

  3. But CANdo, which has a Charter advocating “ensuring the nation has a healthy and well educated population,” and yet their patron spews vile vitriolic unresearched rubbish to his audience daily…

  4. Another great episode of can of worms every episode has been great this year CANdo need to get a sense of humor shame can of worms isn’t on seven it would rate so much better

    I would defiantly run through Times Square naked and singing gangnam style and I might just might eat a plate of live cockroaches but I would defiantly not do the third one

  5. I haven’t watched a lot of Can of Worms but I thought it was hilarious. So many funny moments. The guests were all great and Chrissie Swan was fantastic. It really was only hypothetical and Alan Jones is the name of the moment.

  6. There is so much hypocrisy and irony in CANdoodoo’s position, I don’t know where to start.

    Oh, and David, you forgot to include the link to ratemypoo dot com! (Probably the only site where people can upload downloads!).

  7. I thought this episode of COW was the best so far. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. And yes “rate my poo” does exist and it’s way more disgusting than anything that was said on the show! What CANdo needs to realise is that the whole point of this program is to debate adult topics with a sense of humour. CANdo needs to acquire a sense of humour! And as for Alan Jones being offended, if you can’t take it, don’t dish it out. Hey, he’d probably be fine with James proposal!

  8. Seriously, the show is called Can of Worms. If it’s doing anything wrong, it’s not being controversial enough. This was a just a bit of fun against a person who invites mockery due to disgusting and offensive comments.

  9. Exactly what harm did can of worms do to Jones’ credibility? he had none to begin with, the attack on the PM was just another nail in the coffin of his career. Why is load mouth morons are allowed to say whatever they want but are the first to cry to mummy when someone slams them… Grow The F*** Up!!

  10. David you are absolutely correct. If they had indeed used Julia Gillard as an option it would be very different and as you say, doubtful of any reaction from them. I grow weary over this Jones saga and I’m pleased 10 is sticking to their guns. Jones has feelings?

  11. So, CANdo have took no issue with their patron, Alan Jones, using his radio show to say that the PM should be put in a chaff bag and dumped at sea, but COW’s light hearted ‘root Alan Jones’ hypothetical option gets their rosary beads in a twist?

    Hypocritical and laughable.

  12. Seriously are people that uptight about a light hearted thing. Possibly increase the ratings over the next weeks.
    Maybe the option was a bit too far as I thought when I saw the show but it was treated very light hearted.

    In saying all of the above if it was my name I would take offence too. Just remember that he is a person with feelings also. Maybe in future have an option which does not include a person’s name.

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