https://twitter.com/alucci/status/422513652374048768
Fun fact: People suffering from degenerative diseases don’t make great fodder for cute pop-ups during award shows. E! learned this the hard way when they aired the “fun fact” that Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991 during the Golden Globes red carpet pre-show. It immediately ignited an Internet firestorm of rage. Because, poor taste, you guys. Twitter immediately blew up with users furious that the channel would make light of the actor’s longtime struggle with the disease, mostly because the wording was just so bad. That Fox was diagnosed with the disease in 1991 is indeed a fact. In no way is it fun.
The network quickly realized their error (due to, you know, all those angry tweets flying their way) and issue an apology to the actor, stating that they “understand the serious nature of the disease and sincerely apologize.” Such is the new media landscape: say whatever the hell you want now — apologize later.
