BAFTA Host Alan Cumming Calls Out Organizers for Racial Slur Incident: “They Didn’t Do Their Jobs Right”
On the eve of the BAFTA TV Awards, Alan Cumming criticized the awards’ organizers for what he described as “bad people who weren’t doing their jobs properly.” Cumming’s remarks follow his experience hosting the BAFTA Film Awards in February, during which a significant disruption occurred.
While presenting the film awards, Cumming faced an unexpected incident when John Davidson, a Tourette’s campaigner, yelled an involuntary racial slur directed at the stars of Sinners. The situation led to Davidson issuing an apology and Cumming having to manage the remainder of the proceedings.
In a recent interview with The Times, Cumming expressed frustration with the preparations leading up to the event, pointing out the lack of forewarning about Davidson’s condition. “It was bad, bad, bad, bad leadership,” Cumming stated. “Bad people who weren’t doing their jobs properly, who really had not prepared and let people down.”
Cumming elaborated that while he had been informed to expect “noise,” he was not adequately prepared for the nature of Davidson’s outbursts. He later learned that Davidson had used the same slur at a party the night before the awards.
When Davidson yelled the slur, Cumming admitted to being “oblivious” to the gravity of the situation. He noted that he was still unsure of what had occurred when he read an apology from the teleprompter. “I watched myself back. I was very smiley; I didn’t do it with the gravitas and tone I would have used had I known. That pissed me off,” he said.
Cumming dismissed the notion of returning to host the prestigious event, stating, “It’s a tough gig. You’re trying to be funny for a bunch of people who are used to very generic, middle-of-the-road things, so you’re fighting against the quirky personality they want you to bring to it. That’s a battle.”
Cumming’s comments come as the BBC and BAFTA prepare for their next challenge with the upcoming TV ceremony on Sunday. BAFTA has yet to respond to Cumming’s criticisms.
