- Germany edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Norway |
- Spain |
- Sweden |
- Switzerland
Outrage over Heidi Klum 'hot as Holocaust' gibe
Published: 1 Mar 13 16:08 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20130301-48275.html
An off-colour joke by US comedienne Joan Rivers suggesting German model Heidi Klum was as "hot" as a Nazi shoving Jews into a death camp oven has prompted international outrage.
- Wagner descendant slams composer (19 May 13)
- Christian Democrats set up political donation ATM (17 May 13)
- Two accused in neo-Nazi trial 'will talk' (17 May 13)
But it seems Rivers, 79, known for provocative, catty red-carpet celebrity observations, went too far with the Holocaust comment, broadcast on Monday's episode of the TV entertainment show she co-hosts, Fashion Police.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), issued a statement demanding Rivers apologize for her “vulgar and hideous” comment.
“We cannot believe it made it to the airwaves,” said ADL head Abraham Foxman. “Making it worse, not one of her co-hosts made any effort to respond or to condemn this hideous statement, leaving it hanging out there and giving it added legitimacy through their silence.”
“Of all people, Joan Rivers should know better,” added Foxman, referring to Rivers' Russian-Jewish background.
"My husband lost the majority of his family at Auschwitz,” an unrepentant Rivers told The Hollywood Reporter this week.
“I can assure you that I have always made it a point to remind people of the Holocaust through humor," she added.
The Local/jlb
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Did Merkel's politics hurt Germany at Eurovision?
Eurovision Song Contest favourite Denmark won the competition on Saturday night, while Germany plunged to 21st place – the worst showing in five years – amidst speculation that it was payback for Angela Merkel’s hated policies. READ () »
Police warn against high-tech Islamist attacks
The Federal Criminal Police Office is warning of a new type of Islamist terrorist threat from the air that could attack both passenger and cargo planes as well as airport facilities, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper reported. READ () »
Some fear inflation if small euro coins cut
European Union proposals to eliminate one and two cent euro coins is annoying some Germans, including a few at the Bundesbank, while others think an EU idea to introduce one and two-euro notes is a good one. READ () »
Boy dies at Tropical Islands swimming pool
A 15-year-old boy died on Saturday at the popular “Tropical Islands” swimming and entertainment centre outside of Berlin, the Bild newspaper reported. READ () »
Wagner descendant slams composer
As the musical world lavishly celebrates Richard Wagner's bicentenary, the composer's great-grandson insists he is no spoilsport by denouncing the German master as a narcissist, woman-hater and an anti-Semite. READ () »
Bayern wins, Dortmund loses ahead of CL Final
If Saturday’s play was any barometer of what may happen at the Champions League final this coming Saturday, then Borussia Dortmund should be very nervous indeed. READ () »
Most Germans optimistic about the future
Although less than 50 percent of Germans are optimistic about their current situation, more than half think their future will be better and the number of pessimists in the country dropped, a survey released on Saturday showed. READ () »
Organic food stores expand rapidly
Organic food and health stores are undergoing a hefty expansion in Germany, with the Vitalia chain taking over several locations from the bankrupt Schlecker drugstore chain in Munich alone. READ () »
- 19/05 Did Merkel's politics hurt Germany at Eurovision? »
- 19/05 Wagner descendant slams composer »
- 18/05 Most Germans optimistic about the future »
- 18/05 Survey: Half of gays harassed in Germany »
- 17/05 No child support if dad is anonymous sperm donor »
- 16/05 Germany in for wet Whit weekend »
- 16/05 US denies Christian homeschoolers asylum »
- 16/05 Unhappy diners 'beat top Japanese chef to death' »
- 15/05 Diplomat's dog bites wife of Korean fat cat »
- 15/05 Single women 'too much trouble' for allotments »
- Burning ship had tonnes of radioactive material »
- 'LHighlights
Latest news from The Local in France- 19/05 Ancelotti praises 'great pro' Beckham »
- 19/05 Disgraced ex-minister abandons re-election bid »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
Latest news from The Local in NorwayMore news from Norway at thelocal.no
Latest news from The Local in SwedenMore news from Sweden at thelocal.se
Latest news from The Local in Switzerland- 19/05 Swiss lose to Swedes in hockey championships »
- 19/05 Swiss to face Sweden in world ice hockey final »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
See all ads | Join the Marketplace
-
British Corner Shop
British Corner Shop - The online supermarket for expats -
Weiss Institut
Free yourself from Smoking addictions, Sugar craving and Alcohol addictions -
Chambervelt Rooselain & Cie Ltd.
Insurance and financial planning for English speakers in Germany -
Shiply Worldwide Ltd
Shiply the Online Transport Market Place -
PsyShrink Munich
The Expat Psychologists in Munich, Frankfurt and worldwide -
PsyShrink Frankfurt
The Expat Psychologists in Munich, Frankfurt and worldwide
Jobs in Germany, in English784 jobs available
505 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today- Grid Modeling Expert (m/f) - Stellenausschreibung TenneT
- Market / Business Intelligence Leader (m/f)
- Analyst Predictive Maintenance (m/f)
- Trade Marketing Manager (f/m)
- Opportunity for Medical Information Scientists and Information Managers as Epidemiological Data M...
- Trainee to work in business development for Daimler Insurance Services
- Sales Professional (m/f)
- Finance Administrator (Account Payable & Travel Expenses)
- Customer Interaction Specialist for French, English (f/m)
- Marketingassistenz (w/m)
Blog- Apr/09 Touring Tempelhof – Europe’s Largest Historical Monument
- Apr/09 Spring in Berlin 2013 – Where, What Why and When!
- Mar/12 Living Like a Local – Tell us what you think and win a weekend in Berlin!
- Feb/04 Escaping the City – Our Recommended Suburban Getaways
- Feb/04 Berlin Tegel Airport Transfers – How to get into the City
EssentialsDating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.RegisterRegister now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discussNews from the Goethe-Institut- “Preserve the proven, shape the new” – the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart
For more than thirty years, Helmuth Rilling shaped the international Bach Academy; now he is succeeded by Hans-Christoph Rademann. - ‘Open Mike’ – Fireworks with the Buddha
The Berlin ‘Open Mike’ entered this year its twentieth edition. - On the Stage, the Spoken Word Prevails
In January 2013 the annual meeting of the Dramaturgical Society took place in Munich; its theme: “Speaking on Stage – and about Theatre”... - The Magician of Images – Klaus Ensikat
With the technique of an Old Master and subtle humour, the award-winning graphic designer and illustrator Klaus Ensikat has for fifty years produced ingenious illustrations for literary classics and children’s books.... - A Picture Every Day – Philip Waechter
Philip Waechter, son of the famous illustrator and cartoonist Friedrich Karl Waechter, is one of the best-known contemporary writers and illustrators of children’s books....
News from Young Germany- German first feature film in Cannes
A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur. - Traveling Germany: Europa-Park
Think theme parks:Roller coasters, colorful rides, entertainment, thrills. Think Germany: Europa-Park is the largest amusement park in the country, second in Europe only to Disneyland Paris. - Frankfurt – the digital hub
The Internet hub in Frankfurt am Main is the largest in the world and places Germany in a leading position in the digital world. - The European Year of Citizens
2013 is the European Year of Citizens. They‘re invited to contribute their ideas for the EU, and to discover more about their rights as EU citizens. An example: labour mobility. - Neuschwanstein Castle: In Photos
Neuschwanstein is the most popular tourist attraction in Germany. And for good reason. King Ludwig II's castle looks like it fell out of a book of fairy tales.
News from DeutschlandOnline- Theatre festival between the Saar and the Mosel
The Festival Perspectives in the German-French region around Saarbrücken is staging European theatre, dance and music productions. - The European Year of Citizens
2013 is the European Year of Citizens. - Europe Day, Robert Schuman and Class 4a
Enthusiasm for the idea of Europe – in the 60th European Competition, schoolchildren from Germany show what this could look like. - Relief organizations
The portals presented here provide information on the help programs offered by different organizations.
- Analyst Predictive Maintenance
- Grid Modeling Expert - Stellenausschreibung TenneT
- Market / Business Intelligence Leader
- Contract Manager
- Dipl. Ingenieur (FH) /Techniker
- Account Manager - Academic Sales - Germany
- Application Development Engineer Nutrinova
- Berater Regulatory Affairs
- Business Process Analyst
- Channel Sales Representative
- 17/05 paid internship
- 17/05 Florida resident seeks job in baden Baden Germany
- 17/05 Berlin Writing Group
- 17/05 cheap car hire
- 15/05 Queen size bed & frame
- 15/05 Feste Stelle
- 01:24 Hit a bicyclist with my car at a crossroad
- 01:20 Using a Dutch bank account & card in Germany
- 00:50 South Africans in Munich
- 00:12 What is one of these called?
- 00:11 Deadline for German tax returns
- 23:33 Problem with foreign-registered vehicle
- 23:26 Claiming tax deductions
- 23:07 Translators' meetup, monthly networking event
- 22:55 Looking for tennis partner in Berlin
- 22:53 Sunday Night Clubbing
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Your comments about this article:
It is not the end of the world, but to those who can't let sleeping dogs lie, we are willing to give you Joan Rivers in exchange for Heidi Klum. Fair trade right?
The question is why did he do it? to make noise enough to bring the theater lights towards him? or a jew around him get him angry? or a german around him get him upset?
So and so he got what he wished to have-unneccessary noise around himself.
Why the ADL jumped in is a mystery as the comment was against, if anyone, the Germans. But even then it was as part of a compliment towards Heidi Klum!
If she (Rivers) had made the joke with a Jewish model, it would still be tasteless, but then it would make sense.
Ms Rivers is a child of Russian Emmigrants who came to the US long before WWII
from Russia,so far i know there were a lot of progroms in Russia,no joke ! / ?
...and don't back down on your comments for anyone.
"...was as "hot" as a Nazi shoving Jews into a concentration camp oven."
Then a little farther down you quote Miss Rivers,
'"The last time a German looked this hot was when they were pushing Jews into the ovens,"'
It was not a great thing to say, but your incorrect paraphrasing was an unnecessary distortion.
thanks for the information, I did not knew it, probably she wished to get the theater lights on her ,if she was so succssefull she would not probably had to create that small provocation....any way in a few days every one will forget about it...
Get over it, she isn't condemning/condoning anything or attacking anyone.
Like that: Nazis did not look good ( hot, cool , or whatever) in what they did. H.Klum does not look hot ( good, cool, whatever) in this dress. The woman is a supermodel, but this dress makes her look like an average aging woman with saggin breasst. Not hot!
So actially to me it sound as if Joan Rivers was saying that nothing German looked that bad since the nazis.
If anybody should be ofended , it's H. Klum. And by the way, J. |rivers comments support that .
¦quot;Apologizing for what? For what?! … Heidi didn't mind it. That's the joke, Heidi Klum didn't mind it. We didn't mind it. So somebody else minded, you know, then don't watch ¦#39;Fashion Police.¦#39; Next.¦quot;
I guess Germans don't like to be reminded of their past,
holocaust is almost a taboo subject in Germany when ever the
theme pops up comments take shape of whispers and looks
making sure that nobody is tuning in the conversation.
No sense of humor
I don't feel outraged or pensive over her remark.
Don Imus US radio host and his"nappy-headed hos"remark or former CNN TV host Rick Sanchez,some media coverage suggested that Sanchez' comments insinuated that Jews controlled CNN and other networks.Sparks outrage and both lost their Jobs.Or try something with the "N-word",lots of other examples.
I always wondered why people like Imus, was it because he had a sarcastic sense of humor? The nappy hos remark demonstrated his lack of sensitivity or maybe he lost to many brain cells from years of alcoholism.
Sanchez, should have taken the old proverb "You don't bite the hand that feeds you" more seriously.
Germany has to offer, then I feel sorry for Germany.
Well, I wanted to explain with these examples just what it looks like with the understanding or consequences or political correctness and humor within the U.S..While accusing the German people for the lack of humor.Do you remember the VW Commercial Spot controversy during the Super Bowl? White guys with Jamaican dialect / slang?On the other hand, every U.S. / Brit. Comedian mimics or impersonated Germans as constantly screaming with commanding and incomprehensible gibberish pseudo german mumbo jumbo.Not even the valued Jon Stewart can do without it.When you see some interviews with u.s.students on YouTube, it has not missed its effect.
Germans usually are accustomed to this and take it calmly and relaxed,because they don`t know it better or want to show their sense of humor or have internalized their guilt complex.I think we have here a double standard.
I see what your saying and agree. Remember the sports comedy "White Men Can't Jump" try changing white men for something else and brace yourself for the barrage of outrage.
Joan Rivers always makes provocative statements that she knows will cause offence as gain her publicity - eg her comments on 9/11 when she suggested there would be a smile on the face of at least 6 victim's wives - got rid the b******* and got the cash.
Don't react and she dies from lack of publicity.
I'm not so sure if you understood me correctly.
Maybe my fault, too many random examples with African Americans.
That was not my intention.I just wanted to explain that
U.S. or Brits do have limits on jokes, but this does not apply
always jokes about Germans.
It seems that you have not even noticed that.
.....................You let me down.;(
It might sound funny for the americans who are used to make war on foreign soil and see "virtual bloodshed" on the TV, while the suffering and the human disaster is happening on the other side of the world. I am sure no american would find any 9/11 joke funny. You have to understand the culture you are in and the history of a country in order to define what is humorous and what is not, because the facts have different meanings to different people. It might feel distant for people in America, but remember that WWII started here, in Germany. If you don't understand that, you are an idiot. And an idiot is what you are when you criticize germany for it's "lack of humour" concerning the WWII and the sensitivity of the Jews about this issue.
Also wanted to reply to Icke Ricke, Wikipedia is your friend, but basically, Ashkenazi Jews are those who originate in Eastern Europe. That includes Germany but also Poland, Russia, Czech Republic etc. They do not believe in Jesus. The only ones that do are the so called Messianic Jews, and the rest of us don't think they're really Jews anyway.
As neither Jew nor German, thank you for an intelligent post. By the way, I don't find Heidi's choice of dress especially good, but am willing to forgive her. I could say more but choose not to.