Morrissey Diehards Boycott Letterman

First things first, Moz is throat infection-free and performed two well-received shows in Boston and Northern Virigina over the last few days. No word yet on any of the (hopefully) rescheduled dates during the time of the initial sickness. We'll keep you updated.

Secondly, mega-Morrissey fan, Senorita Incognito, has started a petition against Letterman and his love of vegetarian humor. Here's a bulk of text from the angered letter:

To whom it may concern:

I am writing to inform you of my intention to boycott CBS's Late Show with David Letterman and its sponsors until those responsible issue a sincere, public apology to Congressman Dennis Kucinich and singer-songwriter Morrissey for the public—albeit indirect—mocking they were forced to endure as invited guests on the show that aired June 29, 2007.

Early in the show, David Letterman was inexplicably handed a plate of spare ribs. Clearly perplexed, he asked why. His chortling producer responded, "It's a mistake." Indeed. Both Congressman Kucinich and Morrissey are vegetarians... a choice that is frequently met with derision, defensiveness and open hostility. This appeared to have been the case on the Letterman show. After the initial "confusion", Letterman set the plate of ribs aside. Then, upon returning from the commercial break, viewers watched Letterman partaking in the ribs and, later, offering them to audience members, who gleefully gnawed away at them for the cameras. Constant references to the ribs were made throughout the show (as well as an odd request for guest Shia LaBoeuf to translate his last name, which is French for "the beef"), though none of this took place while the vegetarian guests were onstage.

It all seemed quite pointed for such a pointless "mistake". The show's booker(s) surely would have been made aware that two of their guests were vegetarians, either through the guests' representatives, their bios or their backstage riders. Such basic information is customarily passed along to the host/interviewer, as well. Whether it was or not is a matter for the show's host and producers to address internally. My "beef" is with the disrespect shown these two guests and, by extension, their fans and supporters, and vegetarians in general. Ultimately, the Letterman show's cast, producers and staff are free to choose how they treat their guests... just as I and countless other viewers are free to change the channel in favor of more civilized entertainment. Like Flavor of Love Charm School. I thank you for your time and look forward to your response.

Read the rest, sign the petition and gather all your CBS contact info here.

MP3: The Smiths - What She Said

UPDATE ON POSTPONED/CANCELED SHOWS: Following successful shows in Boston and Norfolk Morrissey's US tour is back in full swing. With that in mind we are delighted to announce rescheduled dates for Philadelphia at The Mann Centre on the 23rd of July and Atlantic City at the Borgata on the 24th of July. It has not been possible to reschedule shows at New York's Madison Square Garden, Holmdel, New Jersey's PNC Arts Centre, Northampton, Mass's, Pines Theatre or Baltimore's Ram's Head as despite our best efforts those venues are not available during the remaining tour period. It is hoped that we will be able to add a US leg to the tour this fall and that we will be able to play all of the above cities. In the meantime anyone holding tickets to those 4 shows should obtain a refund at the point of purchase. The tour continues this week with shows in Knoxville,TN; Clearwater, FL; Boca Raton, FL and Orlando, FL.