Justin Timberlake is no longer scheduled to tell the story of Motown. The pop star has pulled out of ABC's upcoming special after protests from black groups, though the network said that the change of hosts is not a reaction to the protests, but rather the result of a scheduling conflict.

Last month Timberlake was announced as a co-host, along with Lionel Richie, for the special with the working title "Motown 45" (see "Timberlake Inks Deal To Tell His Story ... And Motown's"). But last week, black activist groups had launched an e-mail and phone campaign to protest Timberlake's involvement. Their argument was twofold — not only was Timberlake himself not black, but they felt he had not taken enough responsibility for the Super Bowl halftime incident (see "Justin 'Appalled' By Super Bowl Incident; NFL Nixes JC Appearance").

Najee Ali, executive director of Project Islamic Hope, a national civil-rights organization, had called Timberlake's selection as co-host "a cultural insult to the black community." And editor-in-chief Tanya Kersey-Henley of Black Talent News, an entertainment news publication that targets African-American professionals, wrote an editorial in last Wednesday's edition titled "Justin Timberlake: Unjustified to Co-Host Motown Special."

"Before the Super Bowl scandal, Timberlake had gotten a 'Black folks pass,' " Kersey-Henley wrote. "But then he sold out Janet [Jackson] to save his own skin, showing his true colors in the process. ... In other words, he's okay with being identified as an 'honorary brotha,' as long as it doesn't cost him anything. ... As African-Americans, we should not support this obviously contrived attempt to boost ratings and attract a wide white audience. It is thoughtless and an insult. If we allow it to happen, we will be just as guilty as them for pimping black culture to appeal to the mainstream. ... [ABC] should do the right thing and hire a co-host that respectfully symbolizes the rich legacy of the Motown label. Is Usher available?"

However, ABC said that the protests weren't the cause of Timberlake's decision to pull out of the show, but that he was unavailable as a result of signing on to do a movie (see "Justin Timberlake Signs On For First Big-Screen Acting Role"). The two-hour television program would have required Timberlake to be in Los Angeles for three days of rehearsals (since he was also slated as a performer) and then one day of taping during the first week of April, but his film-shooting schedule now requires him to be in Vancouver that same week.

"When Justin was asked to host the Motown 45th anniversary special, he gladly accepted, but alerted us to the fact that he was in talks to star in his first motion picture," the show's executive producer, Jeff Margolis, said in a statement, "and that at the last minute there could possibly be a scheduling conflict. ... He has canceled all television appearances through the end of April to allow him to concentrate on making the movie."

"[The protesters] definitely have a voice, no doubt," ABC spokesperson Lauren Tobin said. "But as it all turns out, it all came apart anyway."

No replacement host had been picked, though Richie remains on board. The special, still untitled, airs in May.



—Jennifer Vineyard from mtv.com

I think reality set in with Justin, he'd be getting booed off the stage.

Why do they even waste time coming up with these stupid excuses, how retarded do they think people are?
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 15:41:01 2004 by Tom]

I'm happy to see people aren't letting dude slide on this

I think all of this shit is stupid. and I think all that protesting is stupid also..

What people do these things? If they had a fucking job and something to do in life.. they wouldnt worry about who is hosting what regardless of the color.. It would be okay though if R Kelly (who pisses in little girls mouths) got up their and grin from ear to ear.


This country has morals of a spoiled child.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 15:57:03 2004 by Sdldawn]

Good.

Yea, segregation is great.

Supporters of this, be proud! You are keeping racism alive and well! Bloody Hell!

So Justin is wrong to present a record label whos very purpose was cross over?

Justin sold Janet out? Says who? Janet is the only one in the know, and shes not said it. Even if she did, who says shes right?

But worst of all.....

"Justin got his blacks Folks Pass"?????

What the fuck is that about? We need to join a club!?!?!?

How can I be allowed into the club! Bend over when it suits?

So its a cultural insult? Should every black person stop using Electricty then?

America, you really need to wake up. Black America, a large percentage of you need to take your head out of your arse.

Fight racism when its a racist issue. Don't waste it on every thing that you disagree with.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 16:18:32 2004 by SquirrelMeat]

intha916 said:

Slide on what?

JANFAN4L said:

What is good exactly?

SquirrelMeat said:

Shit, I know why.. Cause he's white and was asked to host Motown Special.. I just got enough nerve to say it. TRUTH

And if it was about the opposite direction.. I'd point that shit out too.. No segregation here.

If anyones offended, go cry to Danza or whatever that mod's name. She'll/He'll post a goofy picture with some crap about "its dumb" or "oh geez" or just flat out block the argument out.

Padlock *****
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 16:28:57 2004 by Sdldawn]

Sdldawn said:

-----
Shut the fuck up!! Timberlake is an asshole. This guy was grinning and smiling right after the boob incident with Janet. The next day it's all Janet's fault and he is an innocent victim.

This guy has tried to real hard to get a black audience. Well he just lost it. I am sure he will get over and so will you.

Sdldawn said:

-----
It's not because he is white it is because he is an asshole.

SquirrelMeat said:

-----
Take your head out of your asshole and let black people make their own decisions.

laurarichardson said:

Its both of their faults.. And he was idiot for that move, he knows it.

Regardless of what "color" audience u think he wants.. He still will make records to screaming girls..

Yeah, he'll loose fans like Eminem lost when they YANKED that shit from years ago he said?
Give me a fucking break..

laurarichardson said:

Well, Its funny you should say that..Im all cool with that, though it Seems like Justin made his decision to host a motown special, but wasnt able to because of "black people" decisions..
but im pretty sure it wasnt his color.. im sure it all had to do with the "boob" incedant

interesting...
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 16:39:17 2004 by Sdldawn]

laurarichardson said:

Where the hell did I stop anyone from making there own decisions, especially based on colour? Please, tell me.

Sure, I have an issue when a racist statement is made, but, is that a crime?

Are you saying I should ignore it? Please, tell me your view, rather than throw insults. Base it on the FACTS to date.

laurarichardson said:

I have no love for Justin, but why exactly is he an asshole? What did he do? (the facts, not assumption)?

By the way, why do we not have a hundred posts taking about how Janet has lost her white audience?, the way Justin has lost his black?

SquirrelMeat said:

Slide on the way he bitch out over the Super Bowl drama. People that keep shooting off their mouths about this keeping "racism alive" need to pipe down. For one, racism will stay alive and well with or without Justin hosting this show. But his race isn't why I'm glade to see him off the show. I just don't like the way he kissed ass after the whole Janet thing. There are some issues of race in that as well but him acting the bitch is more than enough to not like this cat.

intha916 said:

Thats a respectable view, and I see your point..


Cant say the same for the rest of the race baiting im reading.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 16:51:26 2004 by Sdldawn]

Sdldawn said:

How many people here really don't want to see him host just because he's white? I think most are just looking at it the same way I am. He kissed ass and played the grammys while Janet was shut out. Someone forgot to tell Justin payback is a bitch.

intha916 said:

So you think if R Kelly pulled that stunt, that people would be protesting if he hosted MOTOWN?

come on man, it HAS something to do with him being white.. Race is why its so stirred up. he's a white man trying to Host a motown show. He just ripped the clothes off a black singer and acted like a fool afterwards.. Thus leaving everyone with the notion he is "dissing a black community" furthering him not welcome on their stations, radio's.. ect.
Its also funny as hell that im defending a guy i dont even care for.. but i mean shit, its rediculous these people who dont have SHIT to do get out and protest of meaningless things..

Protest about a cause, not an event..

like I said.. Disfunctional Morals in this country..




..
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 17:00:31 2004 by Sdldawn]

intha916 said:

Fine, but I'm confused. I read a few news articles on the whole Superbowl thing, but I truely don't understand the view here on the org, that Justin sold out Janet, based on what I read.

I read that Justin "sold out". But didn't Janet sell out even more?

None of us know whether Justin is telling the truth. So we condemn him?

Justin, (whether he knew what his was doing or not) apologises, but he's selling out? To who? For what? If he feels apologetic, who are we to decide?

Sdldawn said:

It did in the other thread, that's for sure.

SquirrelMeat said:

I don't like what Justin did. After the Super Bowl he was bragging "I just did what every man dreams of" and "We gave you something to talk about" to the media. But a few days later, when he found it might cost him some $$$ (his $6m McDonald's endorsement deal), he made it out to be Janet's concoction and tried to act innocent for a while. THEN he apologized.

Janet, however, needs to speak up if she really feels she's been played. Otherwise I can't feel sorry for her. She's a strong woman, and she knows what she has to do. Publicly condemn him.

Oh, and people have turned this into a "he's a white guy selling out a black woman because she's black...that's SO typical" kind of thing. He sold her out like he sold out white women before (Britney, Kylie Minogue, soon Cameron Diaz I'm sure) - for $$$$ and popularity. Must keep the bad boy image current, you know.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 17:04:50 2004 by VoicesCarry]

VoicesCarry said:

Very good point.

My issue is not whether Justin "did" or didn't, (but compare press quotes to actual interview quotes, they are quite different), but where is Janet in all this?

The "black" press are condeming Justin, for participating in a publicity stunt, pulled by a black woman.

Black or white is not the point. Should Janet lose her "white music pass" too? By the way, who granted to her?

.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 17:16:21 2004 by SquirrelMeat]

SquirrelMeat said:

I think some editorialists don't realize how incredibly racist they sound. If a white author wrote an article on how Janet should not be allowed to host an honorary dinner for (insert famous white singer's name here) because she was "not white enough", didn't "mesh with the artist's musical style", and didn't have a "white music pass" (whatever the hell that is), people would go absolutely nuts. That's the kind of thing I'd expect from Ann Coulter. Completely irresponsible and completely wrong.

But apparently it's ok if you apply it to white people.

Anyway, I don't believe music has colour. Music is music, that's all there is to it. He should not have been considered because he doesn't have the class, talent and legacy to compete with the people he would be honouring and having him there would be ridiculous. NOT because he's white.

Hall & Oates always thought the phrase "blue-eyed soul" was racist and didn't like people to apply it to them. I can kind of see their point now.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 24 17:26:50 2004 by VoicesCarry]

VoicesCarry said:

The "angry white man" attitude of the 21st century is comical. Always looking for parallels between white racism and black bigotry. Go ahead and call this "racist" and ignore the entire history of this country and it's treatment of non-whites. At what point did we "start over"? If we really are starting over with a clean slate, then how about doing something about the economic disparity between black and white? It's like someone jumping the gun in a race and then calling it equal when they are already half way around the track. Of course I'm not saying Janet is victim. The greater point is the way the media (and many people on here) give Justin a pass because he comes out and smiles for the camera but Janet is the devil in the flesh. Janet DID say she was sorry too. Did y'all miss that or something? The fact she is black and he is white does matter. Just because some of us point it out doesn't make us the cause of it. A fire will burn wether someone yells fire or not.. Understand it or not, that's up to you. But don't act like Justin being booted from the Motown special is racist. People have been shot, burned, lynched, enslaved and tortured under the banner of racism. Don't bring that word into something as trivial as this shit.

intha916 said:

Very well-written post, intha916.

I should leave it alone.... but I can't help myself.

There is no collective black community or white community. Neither me, my family, or anybody I know were consulted on these matters. There is no black media and there's no white media. Certain individuals with agendas (which are bound to fail) run it as they do to keep you blinded, perpetuate myth and most importantly take your money. And to Squirrelmeat: neither you nor anybody else know what the majority of "black america" thinks so it's your ass (arse) that needs checking-- sorry I don't usually get personal but you deserve it.

As for Motown and the special interests groups who purport to protect "minority" interests I say fuck 'em. There's no reason Justin should've been pressured to pull out. Sure he ditched Janet but that was business. They're both in the same game and he doesn't want to lose what he's got. Do I respect him? It doesn't matter and who are we to judge? It's just hypocritical that people would want to exclude him from Motown of all companies. It was built to homogenize rhythm and blues and sell it to the masses. Right now Justin happens to be doing it best (the selling part). Who better to host?

The funny thing is that Motown isn't "black"-owned so it's likely the decision for Justin to pull out probably came from an individual whose sole concern was a possible backlash that would diminish the sales of Motown's vast back-catalogue. These specials and award shows are only held to boost sales and interest. What better than to appeal to somebody's false sense of pride and tradition. The same thing happened with Janet but on a much bigger scale where the possible backlash would have been the conservative buying public-- the biggest dupes in this game. So, you see it's not about race nor morals (nudity isn't amoral by the way) it's about money and perception.