This clip of Louis Walsh grabbing Mel B’s bum is as creepy as it is infuriating
We’ve moved on from the days when women were only allowed on television as something pretty to look at, who had to stand and smile while male presenters commented on their looks and bodies. But we don’t have to look very far back to find creepy abusive behaviour on primetime telly.
This 2014 clip of Louis Walsh being what used to be euphemistically described as “handsy” with Spice Girl, Mel B, shows just what some men have believed they could get away with on camera. Watch and wonder.
Women have to put up with the most ridiculous shit. pic.twitter.com/vgQhqfQsOB
— laney (@misslaneym) June 17, 2019
Even though Mel was clearly uncomfortable, the incident seems to have been treated as a joke. Try doing that now – #MeToo.
There were quite a lot of shocked and angry reactions, as well as plenty of people feeling grossed out by his behaviour, and impressed by how she had handled the whole thing.
I've seen this numerous times but it still has the power to shock me. For him to do this on TV, proper grope and jiggle 🤢 https://t.co/rFAJN5vSru
— tattooed mummy (@TatMum_Blog) June 18, 2019
this is so gross and makes me sad https://t.co/f1QDqylgsM
— Ebony Day (@ebonyday1) June 18, 2019
everytime i see this video i feel physically sick what a fucking horrid little man . good on mel for calling him out too, such a good example bc so many of us (myself included !) would be too intimidated to speak up https://t.co/80BUnYm3ud
— soggy goth (@woozyyloo) June 18, 2019
i am appalled this infuriates me so fucking much like do you expect women to put a "don't touch my ass" post it so you wouldn't do it or what…. fuck yall https://t.co/fA2Jzq0pvV
— aly (@alygur) June 18, 2019
I love how she stopped, pointed it out, moved over and made an appropriate disgusted face. So many women just keep quiet and simply slide over, if they move at all. It’s time we took control.
— Opinion8ed (@Live2teachLives) June 17, 2019
Someone wondered what Louis Walsh would have done with a man next to him.
Would he do that with a guy on the couch? 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/arVEWFWZKy
— Shane Berketa (@shaneberketa) June 17, 2019
And sure enough …
Funny you should say that. There was a guy on the other side of him. pic.twitter.com/HBLaWwETxy
— laney (@misslaneym) June 18, 2019
Someone called @feministgayry spotted one of the problems at the heart of this kind of behaviour.
men really don’t know what consent means https://t.co/q6Ufwsxt7Q
— Mary M (@feministgayry) June 18, 2019
Walsh told radio presenter, Mario Rosenstock,
“I just grabbed her arse as a joke.”
“She was very funny and you could say anything or do anything to her and I loved her, so I would just grab her for a laugh but it’s not PC anymore.”
“YOU COULD SAY ANYTHING OR DO ANYTHING TO HER …BUT IT’S NOT PC ANYMORE.”
H/T: Indy100
