Williams Animated Over Cartoon Furor
By AP from the NYTimes on the Web, February 28, 200
LOS ANGELES -- Robin Williams gave new meaning to the term "tape delay" at the Academy Awards. Before presenting the award Sunday for best animated feature, he paused to rip a large piece of white tape off his mouth, then proceeded to mock those who connect cartoon characters with pro-gay messages.
The stunt appeared to confirm reports that producers had censored his gags. But after lighting on well-worn comic targets such as Viagra, Joan Rivers and Botox, Williams took on the culture wars:
"They tell me now that SpongeBob is gay. SquarePants is not gay. Tight pants maybe. SpongeBob Hot Pants? You go, girl!"
Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants was among cartoon characters featured in a pro-diversity initiative of the We Are Family Foundation. James Dobson, founder of the religious conservative group Focus on the Family, complained that the motive for using SpongeBob was "to desensitize very young children to homosexual and bisexual behavior."
Williams suggested that other cartoon characters through history also might have been gay -- and he didn't spare Disney icons, although Disney-owned ABC was airing the awards show.
"What about Donald Duck? Sailor top, no pants. Hello?" Williams said.
"Bugs Bunny. More dresses than J. Edgar Hoover at Mardi Gras. Hello?" Williams concluded.
The animated feature Oscar went to "The Incredibles."
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