As soon as news of Jonathan Ross’s appointment as MC for the Hugos was released into the twitter-sphere, comment came thick and fast. Much outrage was voiced and many alternatives suggested, some serious, some… less so.
@gavreads Who would you prefer to MC? [awaits list while holding breath ;-)]
— Dark Matter Zine (@DarkMatterzine) March 1, 2014
@mangozoid @DarkMatterzine those đ
— Gav Reads (@gavreads) March 1, 2014
[cough] Those last names were mentioned facetiously as they’ve been the centre of scandals in the not-so-distant past. [cough]@DarkMatterzine @gavreads Or Mike Resnick and Barry Malzberg, just to really fuck with everyone's head… đ
— DenizenOfTheUniverse (@mangozoid) March 1, 2014
After outrage on twitter last night, Jonathan Ross withdrew as MC for this year’s Hugo Awards.
I have decided to withdraw from hosting the Hugo's @loncon3 in response to some who would rather I weren't there. Have a lovely convention.
— Jonathan Ross (@wossy) March 1, 2014
Unfortunately, Jonathan was an asshat before his graceful withdrawal.
@wasteofpaint absurd. I'll happily buy the ticket off you and give it someone less stupid.
— Jonathan Ross (@wossy) March 1, 2014
A few heavy-hitters in the SF community acknowledged Jonathan’s withdrawal graciously.
@wossy I think that's courteous and kind of you. I hope there'll be an occasion when the SF community welcomes you.
— Paul_Cornell (@Paul_Cornell) March 1, 2014
@wossy @loncon3 Thank you for your courtesy.
— Elizabeth Bear (@matociquala) March 1, 2014
While people vented on Twitter and suggested alternatives, one person pointed to an icon who consciously uses his White Male Privilege constructively.
@DarkMatterzine actually Patrick Stuart would be my no 1 choice pic.twitter.com/rUMP3hxUWr
— Gav Reads (@gavreads) March 1, 2014
For those of you who, like me, only have a vague idea of who Jonathan Ross is, the Daily Dot explains why Jonathan’s appointment as MC was such a controversial decision.
“Ross is a controversial and polarizing public figure with a long trail of arguably sexist, racist, and ableist remarks. Allegations of his lewd treatment of women include  dry-humping performer Nicole Scherzinger, objectifying Nicole Kidman, and âpublicly offend[ing] and humiliat[ing]â Georgina Baillie in a series of highly controversial prank calls with Russell Brand.
…
Farah Mendlesohn announced her resignation from the LonCon Committee earlier today over the Chairsâ decision to ask Ross to host…
Farah Mendlesohn made private her LiveJournal post on her resignation from the LonCon Committee as a form of damage control.
Seanan McGuire, one of the most-nominated authors in recent years, cried.
So congrats, @loncon3. When people asked for a change in Hugo hosts, meaning something that wasn't more White Dude parade…
— Seanan McGuire (@seananmcguire) March 1, 2014
…you got a man who says things about women like me that I won't put on my twitter. I am actually crying, @loncon3.
— Seanan McGuire (@seananmcguire) March 1, 2014
I was supposed to be safe at Worldcon. I was supposed to be safe at the Hugos. I voted for you, @loncon3, because you said I'd be safe.
— Seanan McGuire (@seananmcguire) March 1, 2014
While some fans have expressed disappointment or disgust at yet another dust-up, Teresa NielsenHayden sums it up in two tweets:
No! How can the Worldcon chairs be so oblivious when the SF world has literally had *years* of dustups over exactly these issues? @effjayem
— tnielsenhayden (@tnielsenhayden) March 1, 2014
Worldcon guests and the Hugo Awards are two of the SF community's most prominent statements about who we are and what we value. @effjayem
— tnielsenhayden (@tnielsenhayden) March 1, 2014
Maybe in the future convention organisers will take Teresa’s comments under advisement. Instead of inviting the controversial husband of Hugo Award-winner Jane Goldman, how about inviting Jane herself? Instead of inviting someone who makes jokes at the expense of those with disabilities, how about inviting someone with a disability, like anyone from The Last Leg? Instead of inviting someone who makes racist jokes, how about inviting someone-not-white who is an inspiring speaker like N K Jemisin? We’re living in the future. Let’s hope convention organisers start catching up.
Update
Sometimes people can surprise you. Sometimes people can be REALLY CLASSY. This tweet is one of those times.
https://twitter.com/wossy/status/439826197707759616