Hollywood star stands up for decency (Rush Limbaugh is one of her personal friends)

worldnetdaily ^ | 1/17/2003 | worldnetdaily

[TLBSHOW]

Hollywood star stands up for decency

Patricia Heaton walks out of music awards because of lewd tone

For "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Patricia Heaton, the last straw came when a performer at the 30th annual American Music Awards made graphic references to three-way sex. That, and, perhaps, Sharon Osbourne's joke about what she called Mariah Carey's "fake" endowments.

Patricia Heaton

Though the actress was at the awards show to introduce a pre-recorded retrospective of executive producer Dick Clark's annual music show, enough was enough. She walked out of the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, disgusted by what she called "an onslaught of lewd jokes and off-color remarks."

A two-time Emmy winner for her portrayal of Debra Barone on "Everybody Loves Raymond," the sitcom star had grown increasingly upset with the raw and raunchy comments made by presenters, performers and the hosts for last Monday's show – the infamous Osbournes.

"I'm no prude, but this was such a vulgar and disgusting show," Heaton told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

Heaton marches to the beat of her own drummer in an industry not known for such politically incorrect thinking. She even boasts Rush Limbaugh among her personal friends.

"I arrived a little late and was seated in the audience," Heaton said. "I was going to present what's called a video package – a look at 30 years of the American Music Awards. Well, what was passing for humor basically ranged from stupid to vulgar, and I just thought, 'I'm not going to be part of this.' So I walked out and said, 'Get me my car. I'm leaving.'"

Even the show-business industry publications and reporters covering the event noted the Osbournes and other performers kept the ABC network censors working overtime. Print advertisements for the live awards event showed a roaring Ozzy Osbourne saying, "I'll be bleeped!"

"The entire evening became about bleeping," said Heaton. "It was as if they were trying to become more like the MTV awards. But it's one thing if this kind of stuff is on MTV at 10 at night. It's quite another if it's on ABC at 8 o'clock. I don't know what Dick Clark was thinking."

She continued: "I really didn't know what I was getting into. I mean, there was Ryan Seacrest pulling open his co-presenter's shirt, then noticing there was a 12-year-old girl in the front row. And he says, 'Don't worry, honey, you'll have a pair of these soon.' And everybody went crazy. It felt like I was in the Roman Colosseum. As far as I'm concerned, it was an affront to anyone with a shred of dignity, self-respect and intelligence."

Will Heaton take heat in Hollywood for her decision? She's not expecting it.

"And if there is," she said, "who cares? When I was waiting for my car, one of the security people came up to me and said, 'I just want you to know how much I admire what you're doing.' So I wasn't the only one who felt this way. The camera coordinator for the awards was our camera coordinator from 'Raymond.' And when I walked on the set the next day, he started applauding."

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[independentmind]

A two-time Emmy winner for her portrayal of Debra Barone on "Everybody Loves Raymond," the sitcom star had grown increasingly upset with the raw and raunchy comments made by presenters, performers and the hosts for last Monday's show – the infamous Osbournes.

Good thing Heaton doesn't read FR. A distate for raunchy comments is routinely castigated here.

[mamelukesabre]

So....does this chick play ramonds mom?....or raymonds wife on the show? Which one is she?

[Happygal]

Raymonds wife.

[sanjacjake]

Plays the wife..and is like a breath of fresh air
in the world of Hollywood.

[Be active]

I just don't get the Osbournes. All they are is a bunch of attention starved people who act like 10 year olds. And why people are interested in watching them is even more perplexing. I guess it's called the dumbing down of America.

[Faith]

She is also pro-life and is not afraid to say so. God bless her.

[flynhghr]

She continued: "I really didn't know what I was getting into. I mean, there was Ryan Seacrest pulling open his co-presenter's shirt, then noticing there was a 12-year-old girl in the front row. And he says, 'Don't worry, honey, you'll have a pair of these soon. > > > It is a sad day when a performer can make a comment like that toward a minor, and people think it's funny.

[moodyskeptic]

Heaton plays the most believable wife on TV.
Good for her.

[Man of the Right]

Probably it was no coincidence that the ratings stunk.

[TLBSHOW]

Is that picture of the liberal rat for real?

[Happy2BMe]

BUMP! FOR RAYMOND'S SWEET LITTLE WIFE.

[Guillermo]

You're right.

Any criticism of The Osbournes will make sure you get flamed thoroughly.

[Ken in Eastman]

A bump for this. Everybody Loves Raymond's Wife!

[Howlin]

I do NOT like them. Shall I wait around for the flames?

[RoseofTexas]

I read this on our local paper and wondered how long will it be before she is in the UNEMPLOYMENT line. KUDOS TO MS. HEATON!!

[independentmind]

Hmmm, do you have some personal experience with that Guillermo? :)

I wouldn't know as I gave television up a few years ago and now only watch it very infrequently.

[XLurk]

Any form of morality now poses a national / international security threat to all of western civilization (so-called) - not to mention Hollywood.

Since the export of the products of Hollywood now constitute the majority of US dollar-export-product, she poses a threat to us economic interest.

Arrest her.

Convict her, and sentance her to 48 hours alone with Chinese agent X42 (Bill Clinton).

Any American who produces a useful, tangible product in the US that is not tainted by sex / perversion / warfare / diminution of individual liberty or personal freedom or PRIVACY (the most vile of human concepts) - is a traitor against the 'WAR-ON-WHATEVER-WE-WANT' - and should therefore be eliminated from (so-called) civilized society.

[truenospinzone]

No, it isn't. If you look at the coat buttons, you can tell that his image has been flipped. it's a good fake, but a fake nonetheless.