Hollywood rips Rex Reed for Melissa McCarthy weight comments
Film
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Rex Reed has long been one of Hollywood’s most venerable film critics, although this doesn’t really say anything about his personality. Having followed Reed’s reviews since the mid-90s, I’ve long had the impression that he’s been an irascible codger since time immemorial. He was the man who started the infamous Marisa Tomei Oscar Mistake rumor, which alleged that presenter Jack Palance misread the card after opening the envelope while presenting Best Supporting Actress in 1992, accidentally giving the award to Tomei. Reed has been known for such crotchety bursts of stupidity, yet none have caused the kind of vitriolic response as his latest act of textual diarrhea.
In his review of Identity Thief, Reed casts aspersions against the “cacophonous, tractor-sized Melissa McCarthy”, whom he goes on to describe as a “female hippo” and a “screeching, humongous creep”. Among the closing lines of the miserable piece, Reed states, “Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) is a gimmick comedian who has devoted her short career to being obese and obnoxious with equal success.”
Reed’s rhetoric is singularly disgusting, and other critics agree, with Richard Roeper stating that Reed’s article “smacks of mean-spirited name-calling in lieu of genuine criticism.” Can’t disagree there. But then, McCarthy doesn’t really need me to stand up for her, given that Hollywood has come out in force to tell Rex Reed to go climb back under the prehistoric rock from whence he came:
Director Paul Feig, who directed McCarthy in Bridesmaids:
For his catty and school bully name-calling of the supremely talented Melissa McCarthy, I cordially invite Mr. Rex Reed to go fuck himself.
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) February 8, 2013
Eric Stonestreet of Modern Family:
Turns out, Rex Reed didn’t die sad and alone 10 years ago. Nope. He’s alive and starving for attention, so lets give him some.
— Eric Stonestreet (@ericstonestreet) February 8, 2013
Chad Lowe of Pretty Little Liars:
Film critic sideshow #RexReed‘s personal attack on actress Melissa McCarthy is vile & unacceptable. The @newyorkobserver should fire him.
— Chad Lowe (@ichadlowe) February 8, 2013
Someone PLEASE throw a pie in #RexReed‘s face and video it! I’m serious.
— Chad Lowe (@ichadlowe) February 8, 2013
Marlee Matlin, actress and Best Actress Oscar winner (and the only deaf performer to ever do so):
#RexReed offensive characterization of #MellissaMcCarthy is no surprise. His comments about my Oscar years ago were equally offensive #FAIL
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) February 8, 2013
NCIS star Brian Dietzen:
Melissa McCarthy is one of the funniest actors working today. She is brilliant. Rex Reed is not.m.deadline.com/2013/02/why-me…
— Brian Dietzen (@BrianDietzen) February 9, 2013
Patricia Cornwell, international best-selling author:
We love you #MelissaMcCarthy and shame on Rex Reed.
— Patricia Cornwell (@1pcornwell) February 8, 2013
Comedian Lauren Ashley Bishop:
hey rex reed, women aren’t in movies solely for your visual pleasure. you are a pig & a terrible reviewer now that we’re at it
— lauren ashley bishop (@sbellelauren) February 9, 2013
Film critic Scott Weinberg:
Is it still offensive to call someone an “old queen”? Because I want to call Rex Reed that but I don’t want to offend anyone except him.
— Scott Weinberg (@scottEweinberg) February 8, 2013
Comedy producer Roland Scahill:
Regarding the Rex Reed / Melissa McCarthy controversy, those who can do get nominated for Oscars & those who can’t end up writing reviews
— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) February 9, 2013
There is currently a #FireRexReed movement on Twitter, though The New York Observer, the publication that employs Reed, has yet to comment on the situation. That said, I don’t expect this situation will prevent Reed from going out of his way, in the future, to continue coming across as a crotchety, conspiracy-spouting, mouth-breathing moron.
But hey, if the shoe fits…
Full story: The Hollywood Reporter
