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Jimmy Iovine Criticized After Making Controversial Comments About Women

Thursday November 19, 2015 2:13 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
IovineApple recently debuted a new Apple Music ad, starring singer Mary J. Blige and actresses Taraji P. Henson and Kerry Washington, during the 2015 Emmy Awards.

In the one-minute spot, focused on Apple Music playlists, Washington says that Apple's curated playlists are like having "a boyfriend who creates you a mixtape -- in your laptop."

Jimmy Iovine, who joined Apple in 2014 following the company's acquisition of Beats Electronics, has made headlines today following controversial comments he made about women on CBS This Morning today in relation to the ad.

In particular, when asked to explain his thinking behind the Emmy ad, Iovine said that "women find it very difficult at times -- some women -- to find music, …and [Apple Music] helps makes it easier with playlists curated by real people." He proceeded to mention the problem of girls "sitting around" and "talking about boys."

CBS has made the video clip unavailable to viewers outside the U.S. — Mirror

The Verge transcribes:
"I just thought of a problem, you know: girls are sitting around, you know, talking about boys. Or complaining about boys, you know, when they're heartbroken or whatever. And they need music for that, right? So it's hard to find the right music, you know. Not everybody has the right lists, or knows a DJ or something."
Iovine's comments have been widely criticized on Twitter and in several media outlets.

Update: Jimmy Iovine has provided BuzzFeed with an apology, saying "I could have chosen my words better."
Jimmy Iovine told BuzzFeed News, "we created Apple Music to make finding the right music easier for everyone -- men and women, young and old. Our new ad focuses on women, which is why I answered the way I did, but of course the same applies equally for men. I could have chosen my words better, and I apologize."
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.


Tags: CBS, Jimmy Iovine, Apple Music Guide
[ 376 comments ]


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Orlandoech
44 months ago
OMFG. Get over it! This way too hypersensitive Society we live in is a joke.
Rating: 226 Votes
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MvdM
44 months ago
What's controversial about his comments? I read them twice.
Rating: 64 Votes
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yadmonkey
44 months ago
Let the phony outrage begin!

Seriously, how many of us old-timers made carefully curated mixtapes for their girlfriends back in the day? He's simply speaking from his point of view and any sane reader should have the capacity (and willingness) to adjust and apply what he says to their own lives.
Rating: 62 Votes
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Mac Fly (film)
44 months ago
America is hilarious. CNN or CBS is one minute calling for airstrikes to bomb the crap out of some country and on the other reporting someone saying boo to a dear. Outright hypocrisy. It's like that fool walking around New York with a camera strapped to her butt and calling every comment verbal rape. Bring back real journalism. There is a story here, it's that you guys need to take your country back from the news media who tell you how and what to think.
Rating: 41 Votes
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shaunymac
44 months ago

OMFG. Get over. Way too hypersensitive Society we live in is a joke.


This! People find something a little more serious to "read into" too much or get but hurt over.

I mean quit bullying him for his comments. :)
Rating: 33 Votes
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ProjectManager101
44 months ago

OMFG. Get over. Way too hypersensitive Society we live in is a joke.


I am a woman and I do not see anything wrong with the comment. For me the news is about "how stupid can be someone to consider this irrelevant chit chat comment worth an article?
Rating: 28 Votes
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UnfetteredMind
44 months ago
I find it more upsetting the number of times he says "you know."
Rating: 27 Votes
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sulpfiction
44 months ago
My wife can't make a playlist...And she complains a lot...Seems Jimmy hit the nail on the head.

Hyper sensitive much? This planet is so doomed.
Rating: 23 Votes
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iObama
44 months ago
****ing A, man. I wonder when people will learn that political correctness dilutes the message. If everything's offensive, nothing's offensive.
Rating: 21 Votes
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aaronvan
44 months ago
Looks like the Cupcake Generation has found something else to offend them.

Run to your safe spaces, Snowflakes, and assume the fetal position. Someone will be along presently with your blanky and snuggy.
Rating: 19 Votes

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