"Dolly" ponders suing Howard Stern

[flashl]

Parton "shocked" at Howard Stern radio segment

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Country music star Dolly Parton has hit back against Howard Stern's satellite radio show, which last week manipulated recordings from one of her audio books into seemingly racist and sexually graphic sound bites.

"I have never been so shocked, hurt and humiliated in all my life," Parton said in a statement on Wednesday. "I cannot believe what Howard Stern has done to me. In a blue million years, I would never have such vulgar things come out of my mouth. They have done editing or some sort of trickery to make this horrible, horrible thing. Please accept my apology for them and certainly know I had nothing to do with this."

She concluded: "If there was ever going to be a lawsuit, it's going to be over this. Just wanted you to know that I am completely devastated by this."

"The Howard Stern Show" frequently utilizes audio book recordings in this fashion; altered clips from "Star Trek" actor George Takei became a staple of the program in recent years.

Reuters

[trumad]

1. I heard the tape and it was funny as hell

Pure parody and legal as hell.

[KharmaTrain]

16. Public Domain Can Be Such An Embarassing Place

Yep...Dolly's got little to stand on here other than whatever publicity she can milk out of it. Surely Stern has a legal team that has long ago researched this...and if it's a recording in the "public domain" it's fair game, just like having a picture photoshopped or movie lampooned. Maybe Dolly should have pressed the suit in the UK...their laws are a lot different.

[bean fidhleir]

19. You're wrong about "public domain" excusing everything

Public-domain material has no copyright protection, but that's all. Human beings still have the right not to be put in a "false light", especially not for someone else's profit.

Unless BushCo has changed that, too, of course.

[KharmaTrain]

20. Slippery Slope

The profit is the wedge here. What Stern was doing was making fun of the product...what happened to be a person...and a public figure at that. All Stern's lawyers need to do is show a spike in the sales of her books and tapes due to this controversy and case will be dismissed.

It'd be a different thing if Stern had somehow tapped her telephone or got this material by invading her personal privacy. Stern's doing the audio equivelent of what the Enquirer or other grocery store checkout tabloid does on a weekly basis. It's the double-edged sword of being in the public light.

[bean fidhleir]

25. Look up "false light", "defamation", and "public figure".

If it can be shown that the individual showed "a reckless disregard for the truth" --and what could be better evidence than a cut-and-paste job-- the victim can sue and win for false light. If she somehow appears to profit from the notoriety, that *might* shield Stern from a defamation judgement, but since he's harming her reputation for his own profit, I bet it wouldn't.

[johnaries]

100. Not Public Domain, but Parody.

Copyright protections in the US are Life +50 years. However, Parody comes under the protection of Free Speech and trumps Copyright protections. So, if his recording is ruled as "Parody" it is perfectly legal. Although I'm not sure what has been described can be considered Parody.

The other poster is correct, she can sue for defamation - although she has to prove damages which can be difficult.

As for Dolly, I'm not a fan of her music but I have met her (I used to wait tables in here in Nashville) and there is not a sweeter, more effervescent, more considerate, or more OPEN woman on this planet. Her presence and smile brightens your entire day. I absolutely LOVE Dolly as a person, even if I disagree with her on some issues. ButI'm not sure she has much of a case.

[KharmaTrain]

115. You Are Very Correct

It's been years since I've played with what is libel and what isn't...especially when it deals with a public figure. But you're spot on about the parody and that's what I was trying to point out earlier with my reference to photo shoping and other stunts that are done to materials that are commercially available.

Also note that she's "contemplating" the suit...if this were serious damage, why contemplate...just do it. Sounds more like this is a loud version of a Cease & Desist. Proving defamation is difficult in the best of situations...if Dolly hopes for anything, it'll be settled out.

I've never met Dolly but have known a few who have met and worked with her and have also heard she's a wonderful lady...also quite open and liberal on many issues.

[ShaneGR]

46. Was it the Loving Nigger Cock Part you found funny???

Or Kenny Rogers liking to piss in little boys assholes? Wow, that part was REALLY hilarious? Johny Carson has a big black cock down to his knees? You found that be funny?

[Snarkturian Clone]

48. "Johny Carson has a big black cock down to his knees"

:rofl:

[leeroysphitz]

50. Strident Sanctimony. n/t

[seabeyond]

56. doesnt it really say something about the listener. thanks... didnt have a clue

just how stupid the listener is......

the man is disgusting and truly does (as a poster said) reach down to the very lowest of who a person is. He appeals to the lowest common denominator

[lumberjack_jeff]

73. But he has to plumb new depths every couple of weeks

or his listeners become bored, and seek more antisocial programming.

[seabeyond]

74. you are right. it has to be fed.... n/t

[Snarkturian Clone]

2. Yeah, I'm sure Dolly hates all the free publicity.

George Takei is more popular than ever because of Howard Stern's use of his audio clips. Takei was smart enough to take advantage of the situation and become a paid employee of the stern show. This might be different because Dolly is a whole different kind of celeb than Takei and Takei was a friend of the show before all the audio clip stuff.

Now that I think about it, Dolly suing Howard IS taking advantage of the situation because Dolly will get even more free publicity by making it a controversy. Remember 10 years ago when Linda Ronstadt (sp?) had a surge of popularity when she and Stern were feuding?

[elizfeelinggreat]

4. I'm not a Dolly music fan

but I do believe she's a sincere person.

(A little strange but sincere, and aren't we all a little strange to someone else?)

I understand her feeling hurt and humiliated - don't you?

[chknltl]

7. I agree with every word you wrote elizfeelinggreat

I understand her hurt feelings and humiliation. That lady is so nice she could teach even the Dalai-Lama about nice, she could teach Nelson Mandela about nice, hell I'd even go so far as to say she could teach Jimmy Carter about nice!
(sorry for the snark but you get my point)

[chknltl]

3. Although I don't know even half of the facts....

I do know this: Anyone foolish enough to mess with one of the most loved ladies in America deserves what he gets. If he has managed to embarrass Ms. Parton to the point that she felt the need to apologize for words she did not even say...well..it is truly sad that she must pursue this course but I would urger her to do just that.

I challenge anyone to find another American who would be MORE welcomed into ones home for Thanksgiving dinner should he or she just turn up without notice, than Dolly Parton.

There are a lot of reasons folks get flamed around here, if I am wrong about Dolly...well let me keep that OK?

[trumad]

10. Oh fuck Dolly and the horse she rode in on.

One more face lift and she'll have a goatee.

[RebelOne]

15. Wow, if you were a woman, I'd detect a hint of jealousy. n/t

[Rosemary2205]

27. You've changed recently. Are you OK?

No problem to me if you are a Dolly Parton hater but that kind of raw anger seems new for you.

Or maybe I was lucky and missed it?

Anyways, hope you is OKie Dokie. And if not I'll keep a warm thought for you.

:)

[trumad]

34. I haven't changed....

I simply hate attacks against free speech...

Plus...I mean what the fuck Dolly----- she looks horrible with the massive amount of plastic surgery that she's had.....

[Kajsa]

44. So if some ass got on the air and advocated

for a" Final Solution".
that would be OK, too?

As long as it's "free speech"?

:eyes:

[EOTE]

51. That would be advocating violence.

I don't think anything said on the show advocated violence. While I feel sorry for Dolly here and I think it's pretty awful what happened, there are limits to free speech, but they weren't crossed in that instance.

[Kajsa]

55. Good point, EOTE.

I wish Stern had legally crossed the line,
so a stronger case could be made against him.

[lildreamer316]

90. So?

That's her right and her business.
She's a damn good person,and very open and accepting. She's lit the way for people in her profession to act accordingly, which is more than I can say for many, if not all other country music stars. She has always accepted and even promoted the gay and lesbian population. She's also a good example of living by true Christian values.
I don't understand the level of venom for such a person. Is it just because of the way she chooses to look?
Wow. You really surprise me. I've always thought of you as one of the staples of DU.

[Sewsojm]

92. Your Hate for Dolly is more than Obvious ,

you really need to get a LIFE , Wow YOU ARE SUCH A LOSER!!

[GreenPartyVoter]

106. I, too, am sorry she went the plastic surgery route, but she seems like a nice lady

and a friend in that she doesn't seem to like ** either.

[johnaries]

102. Have you ever met the woman?

As I say in a previous post, she is one of the sweetest women on the planet. Do you know why she built Dollywood in her home town? Pigeon Forge was a very poor community with a very depressed economy. She wanted to help her neighbors, and with her help it is now a thriving community and a favorite tourist attraction with a robust economy. Not just because of Dollywood, but because it drew a lot of other attractions and industry to the area.

I don't like her music or her singing as a matter of personal taste. But I will admit she is very talented. She is also very honest, open and upfront, although I don't always agree with her opinions. But she has a huge heart, no matter how much plastic surgery she has had.

[femrap]

104. and your balls are headed to the floor....squish.

[Liberal In Texas]

5. Sorry Dolly, you don't have a case.

It's all perfectly legal.

[frickaline]

6. Go get him Dolly

The man is a complete pig. I don't even care if she has a case, he deserves to be sued for just existing and breathing the same air as actual humans.

[Zywiec]

8. "He deserves to be sued for just existing"

Wow, how very progressive of you!

:eyes:

[frickaline]

9. sorry but this sexist jerk deserves every bit of bad karma he gets.

He appeals to the lowest common denominator. His humor is based solely on the humiliation of women which is why he selected Dolly as a target. He is scum.

Defend the sexist pig if you like, but I'll never join you.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[frickaline]

13. coming to the defense of your hero?

[Booster]

76. I don't listen to him, but I heard him say in an interview that he

doesn't allow his own children to listen to his show - says something about the man, doncha think?

[alarimer]

22. Bingo.

lower than whale shit. Too bad the FCC has no control over satellite radio.

[Sheets of Easter]

23. Wow. I can't believe I just read that.

[Zywiec]

24. Are you serious?

You want the government to control what you can pay to listen to?

Incredible how tolerant we are :sarcasm:

[frickaline]

26. So you believe people should be able to profit off bigotry and hatred?

And you are damn right I'm not tolerant of bigotry. Too bad we all aren't.

[Sheets of Easter]

28. But is government-sactioned censorship the answer?

I don't think it is.

[frickaline]

29. I think how the hatred is removed from the airwaves is hardly the point

...just so long as it is.

[Sheets of Easter]

30. "Hatred" is a broad, objective term.

I think Rush, hannity, O'Reilly, etc. are all guilty of hatred and bigotry, but I am not calling for their censorship.

That's the downside of the First Amendment: it works both ways.

And government has no place playing watchdog on what is a pay listening service.

[frickaline]

38. You are misreading my posts

I have never advocated government intervention, that was another poster. I am simply stating that I believe he needs to be removed from the airwaves.

[Sheets of Easter]

39. He has been removed. Wish granted.

If someone, like me, decides to pay $14 a month to listen to him, that's their prerogative.

[frickaline]

40. and

If some exec with a brain comes in and fires him for misogyny, that'll be that person's prerogative also. And I'll be dancing in the street if it happens.

But you are right, if you wish to support misogyny, there is little anyone can do. Enjoy your right.

[EOTE]

53. By any means necessary.

I think that would include government intervention. Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease.

[frickaline]

54. censorship is your agenda, not mine

I never mentioned it.

[EOTE]

77. "I think how the hatred is removed from the airwaves is hardly the point

just so long as it is." That not only seems like censorship to me, but fascist as well. I would think that removing someone from radio, and not paying mind as to how, would qualify as censorship.

[MonkeyFunk]

57. It's very much the point

Parton has recourse. She can sue him.

But to claim that the government should PREVENT things from being aired on a privately-owned network is ridiculous. Should Stern submit his shows to the government for approval prior to their being aired?

I swear, people don't think for half a second before they spout nonsense.

[frickaline]

58. To think that the government is the only recourse for removal is SO inaccurate.

If you read up, you might notice I have not advocated government intervention. Reading is your friend.

[MonkeyFunk]

61. You said HOW it's removed isn't the point...

only that it is.

That means the removal of such content is more important to you than how it's done - basically, "by any means necessary".

Sounds like you're backtracking, and now realize you should've worded your earlier post better.

[frickaline]

63. Not at all, those would be your words and not mine

My point is that the discussion of the thread shouldn't be about censorship but rather about advocating hatred.

I think people are using the post alarimer made and trying to turn the conversation away from the real problem. They are using a wedge issue to defend sexism.

[EOTE]

78. We understand what you've said just fine.

You said the 'how' isn't important, just so long as it gets done. The ends justify the means, huh? I've always attributed that mindset to republicans. Hey, we need to torture some innocents in order to get the information we need? Go for it, so long as we get the information. Hey, we need to steal the election in order to ascend to power? Go for it, so long as we get ours. Hey, we need to cook up some false intelligence and lie to the American public to start a war? Go for it, so long as our contributors get fat wallets. I've always believed in both the means and the end, and I think if you need to pervert the means in order to obtain an end, that end shouldn't be pursued.

[frickaline]

79. apparently you only hear what you want to hear (nt)

[EOTE]

87. Please tell me what I heard incorrectly, rather than making a snarky comment (NT)

[frickaline]

93. I already stated this back at post 61

Sorry if you think I'm being snarky but I am sick of being misinterpreted. I was trying to make the point that government censorship is not the main issue. And its not. The fact that I want the guy off the air says *nothing* about my views on government censorship. I am questioning the judgment of the listeners and the radio staff. Maybe I didn't say it well and this wasn't made clear, however, that gives no one the right to reinterpret my point of view and then challenge my clarifications. That behavior is reserved for O'Reilly and that ilk.

[EOTE]

98. Once again, you're backing away from words you already said.

You said you didn't care HOW he is removed, just so long that he's removed. That includes government censorship, even if you didn't say those words specifically. You are saying that the ends justify the means. I am not misinterpreting anything that you've said. If you don't believe that the ends justify the means, you should take back what you said before, and not accuse others of misinterpreting what you've so obviously said.

[frickaline]

101. You insist still on reading into and coming up with something I haven't said

Whatever. I'm done with this discussion. Like I said, I was only trying to say that the method of removal wasn't the important part of *this* discussion. Feel free to twist that however you like, I have better things to do, but I didn't intend it the way you are reading it.

[EOTE]

105. Yes, that's exactly what you said.

You said it doesn't matter how, just so long as it's done. I'm glad you realize that. I think that the method of removal is far more important than the actual removal. That's where we disagree, at least you admit it now.

[leeroysphitz]

84. The majority of people in this country have profited from bigotry and hatred.

Including, I suspect, even you. Get off your high horse.

[liberal1973]

99. I agree with you

I mean how could anybody advocate for what the right wingers would love to do to satellite radio.

Also Howard Stern at one point in 2003 came out against the Iraq war crap. The station in my area was bought and Howard Stern ,who had the top ratings, was taken off the air.

Howard Stern is known as a shock jock. :think:

[trumad]

31. Too bad Bush's FCC doesn't have control of our minds.

What a stupid statement to make from a supposed progressive.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

66. Yeah, ain't that a drag? I'm sure radio is much more wholesome in Saudi Arabia.

You may like it better there.

[trumad]

11. You deserved to be kicked off DU cause you're an idiot!

See how it works.

[tularetom]

14. She has been a parody of herself for years

She's the one who surgically altered her already ginormous gazongas and thrust them onto our TV screens every chance she got.

Now she's gettin old and the twin towers less attractive she needs something to keep her name in front of us.

Viola! A sleazy DJ does a parody of some of her work. It's sort of offensive. But here's her chance to regain the spotlight. Pretend to be offended and threaten a lawsuit.

That will get everyone to search out and listen to the tape of the dastardly deed and keep talking about her for a month or so.

BTW, got a link to the Stern bit? I'd like to judge for myself how horrible it is.

[flashl]

17. Link ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grEx37St_XM

[riverdale]

75. Hilarious

Thanks for the link

[MonkeyFunk]

59. That's a pretty disgusting view...

she DESERVES it because of her tits?

By all accounts, she's a very generous, kind, gracious woman. I've never heard anything to the contrary.

[Sheets of Easter]

18. I like her, and I love the Stern show,

but I really don't think she has a leg to stand on.

Besides, the Ed McMahon audiobook was ten times worse. :rofl:

[alarimer]

21. Howard Stern is a fucking asshole.

He's as bad as Limbaugh. Misogynistic piece of whale shit.

She should take him to the cleaners.

[trumad]

32. Ignorance is bliss aint it

You don't no wtf you are talking about.

[Virginia Dare]

35. I started listening to Stern back in 1980 when he came to D.C.

in my opinion he'll never be funny again after what he did here. They ran him out on a rail and rightly so.

Having said that, I think both he and Dolly are publicity hounds and it's probably much ado about nothing. Dolly is perfect fodder for parody and Howard has no shame, they're a good match.

[Zywiec]

36. What did he do in DC that they ran him out on a rail? n/t

[Virginia Dare]

37. He "joked" about the Air Florida crash...

you can wiki it.

[Zywiec]

43. Oh yes, the horror of that joke.

He should have been exiled...

:eyes:

[Virginia Dare]

70. Gee, I guess I'm humor impaired..

because I don't see anything funny about horrible plane crashes.. He lost his job, rightly so. I never said he should be exiled..:eyes: :eyes: right back at ya.

[Kajsa]

116. Oh yes, the deaths of 82 people

are sooo damn funny! :(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Florida_Flight_90

"One day after the crash, Howard Stern pretended to call Air Florida during his radio show on
WWDC-FM and asked what the fare was for a one-way ticket from National Airport to the 14th
Street Bridge."

-anything for a sick laugh, eh?

To hell with the people who died and their families.
:sarcasm:

:grr:

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## DON'T DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v4.1
==================



This week is our second quarter 2008 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
a completely independent website. We depend on donations from our members
to cover our costs. Whatever you do, do not click the link below!

[Highway61]

41. Ouch

Lots of anger and name calling on this thread....am I on the right website? Jeez....

[Ilsa]

42. I won't listen to Stern. I think he's over the top and pretty

disgusting. I don't think he's funny or entertaining any more.

I hope Dolly can do something about this, but I think there are probably some limits to what she can do.

I don't listen to Dolly Parton songs much any more, but I like her for the most part. I think she is a sweet lady from a different era who tries to do what Jesus really intended for us to do. I think she is one of the Good Christians.

But I am not in favor of the FCC getting into this on a censorship basis. These are commuications that are privately paid for.

[aikoaiko]

45. She hurt her own case

The more successfully she protests that such words could never come from her, the easier it is for Stern to make the case it was ridiculous and satire.

Its how Larry Flint successfully defended a similar car against Jerry Farwell.

[LanternWaste]

47. I really dislike using the term, but here goes...

I really dislike using the term, but here goes...

Stern is an absolute douche bag.

Note to all the fan-boys of said douche bag-- I don''t want him off the air; he's too good a reminder to us that civility is a thing of the past, too good a reminder that bathroom humor hasn't really progressed past the era of the outhouse, and too good a reminder that any talentless hack can become a mega-star with the right marketing and an audience of today's America.

I have to listen to the douche bag one week out of three in my carpool. Yeesh. People pay for this? Do people pay to have a plastic baggie full of feces poured in their wears too? God bless the markets, I guess...

[Kajsa]

49. Absolutely!

"any talentless hack can become a mega-star with the right marketing ".

Howard Stern is a prime example of this.

Great analysis, LanternWaste.

:hi:

[seabeyond]

60. perfectly said....

and sucks to be you one out of three weeks, lol lol.

i couldnt keep my mouth shut. though that is the better way to go i am sure. i'd be kicked out of that car pool

[Dreamer Tatum]

52. I wonder what this thread would look like if "Howard Stern" was replaced with "Don Imus"

Yeah, exactly.

Fandom does interesting things to one's judgment, que no?

[FredScuttle]

80. Pray tell, what minority group did Stern slur here?

Balloon-chested, golden-throated Tennessee queens of country music?

[Dreamer Tatum]

81. Thought so. You have to be a minority to claim you were slurred.

Thanks for the softball.

[FredScuttle]

89. You brought up Imus

I'm just wondering where you see the connection.

[Dreamer Tatum]

111. If you can't see the connection, you won't see the connection. nt

[FredScuttle]

112. Well, I'm not a mind reader

and since you won't divulge the brilliant workings of your mind, I'm at a loss. :eyes:

[fascisthunter]

109. lol.... FAIL

[riverdeep]

62. I've hated Howard Stern from the moment I had the misfortune to catch his show.

That is all.

[Radical Activist]

64. OK I have to hear the tape. Anyone got a link?

[Bethesda Home]

67. It's on Wikipedia n/t

[flashl]

69. Link ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grEx37St_XM

[timtom]

65. I used to respect a few people on this thread

as compassionate.

That's changed for me, somehow.

I guess I see new leaders emerging on this board.

[lildreamer316]

91. Ain't that the f'n truth.

Color me very, very suprised.

[GreenPartyVoter]

108. I think you are right

[Sundoggy]

68. Howard Stern???

Is HE still around? Jeez.

What a joke. I got bored with him many years ago.

[raouldukelives]

71. No audio manipulation needed

to make Stern sound like an idiot.

[Perry Logan]

72. I've read that IQ's are going up. But Howard Stern disproves the idea.

[Sanctified]

82. People still listen to Howard Stern? n/t

[FredScuttle]

83. *ahem*

[seabeyond]

85. sterns intent is to be disgusting. so if a person is disgusted by stern, then... they are falwell?

:wtf:

[FredScuttle]

88. no....my point is the law don't know from funny

but it does know parody. Much like the success of Flynt's case being predicated on the obvious fact that no one would believe Falwell has sex with his mother, no one could believe Dolly was actually saying those vile things. Juvenile, yes. Illegal, no.

[EOTE]

94. It seemed like the splicing was intentionally sloppy.

The sentences they had spliced together so sloppily it almost sounded like a Dolly robot reciting them. I didn't think the words themselves were very funny at all, but hearing them in that robot-like Dolly voice was pretty funny just because you know that she'd never utter anything like that even in private all by herself. Yes it was juvenile, and a bit funny if you've got a stomach for crude humor, but I don't think it was even intended as a slight to Dolly. I think the reason it was funny was because it was the exact last thing you'd expect to hear from her lips.

[seabeyond]

95. i gotcha. thanks.... n/t

[MilesColtrane]

86. Wow, comedy gold.

...

The fact that he trashed a genuinely good person, in extremely vulgar terms, could be forgiven if it was funny.

But, it's not.

[yardwork]

96. I have been in love with Dolly Parton since I was 17, and I loathe Howard Stern.

I won't click on the stupid video. I'm already familiar enough with Stern's brand of "humor." It isn't funny. He's a sad, pathetic little man. He contributes unhappiness to the world, while Dolly contributes happiness.

[seabeyond]

97. i abhor country western.... BUT i have always liked and respected this woman

i have listened to her many times. and she just feels like a good, kind person. she takes a lot of ribbing. i can understand why she feels stern was too much.

[femrap]

103. Go Dolly!

Love to see you separate a very large amount of $$$$ from Sowie Howie!!!!

[Bluebear]

107. Some of you who are skewering Ms Parton are anything but progressive

I don't know if you are trying to be rebels or anti-country or what, but your comments are disgraceful and certainly on a Democratic message board, sorry.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

110. Stern slandered the University of North Texas on Jay Leno's show.

He said "you probably have to have a drivers license to get in" the University of North Texas. He thought it was shitty because Dr. Phil went there.

Stern doesn't know that North Texas State has an excellent music school, and an excellent psychology department from what I have heard. Their jazz ensemble is famous.

I get really tired of so-called entertainment that is nothing but demeaning other people and putting them down. Like the Donald Trump show, Rush, O'Reilly, etc. They think humiliation and degradation is funny.


Goddamn dominant white males. :grr: :banghead:

[BuelahWitch]

113. Kick his ASS Dolly!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[oedura]

114. Howard had William Shatner on his show the other day...

...and while he was there they played some of his edited remarks.

Shatner had exactly the right response. HE LAUGHED IT OFF.

Dolly needs to get over herself. She has no case.