Seth MacFarlane's Oscars performance condemned by two California state lawmakers

Seth MacFarlane backstage during the Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre on Feb. 24, 2013, in Hollywood, Calif. / Christopher Polk/Getty Images

The Oscars may have drawn in big ratings on Sunday, but not everyone is thrilled with Seth MacFarlane's performance.

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Two female California state lawmakers have condemned the Oscar host's comments during Sunday's awards presentation as degrading toward women and asked the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to use better judgment in the future.

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Oscars 2013: Show highlights

Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal and Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, both Democrats who lead the Legislature's women's caucus, sent a letter to Academy President Hawk Koch on Tuesday, requesting that the organization disavow MacFarlane's behavior.

They objected to the comedian's focus on the physical appearance of several actresses and quips about nude scenes.

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"Furthermore, there was a disturbing theme about violence against women being acceptable and funny," the lawmakers wrote. "From topical jabs about domestic violence to singing about 'boobs' during a film's rape scene, Seth MacFarlane crossed the line from humor to misogyny."

MacFarlane's performance has drawn multiple critics since Sunday's show. Blogs compiled highlights of his punch lines, which included a song that referenced leading ladies who have bared their breasts on film that were accompanied by reaction shots from those actresses.

He also made light of a domestic violence incident between rapper Chris Brown and singer Rihanna, and joked about the heavy accents of several Latina actresses.

"On Oscar night, when Hollywood seeks to honor its best, Seth MacFarlane's monologue reduced our finest female actresses to caricatures and stereotypes, degrading women as a whole and the filmmaking industry itself," the letter stated.

Lowenthal and Jackson, both Democrats, asked Koch to respond. Academy spokeswoman Toni Thompson had no immediate comment.

In their letter, the lawmakers noted the Violence Against Women Act currently under debate in Congress and a resolution that the Legislature passed supporting the act's reauthorization. Better judgment is needed in the academy's future decisions regarding its awards show hosts and their material, they said.

"This should be a celebration of artists in the filmmaking industry, not an offensive display of disrespect toward women that sets the fight for gender equality, dignity, and respect back decades," they wrote.

A repeat hosting performance by MacFarlane doesn't look likely. Asked Tuesday on Twitter if he would host the Oscars again, he replied, "No way. Lotta fun to have done it, though." He has suggested the Academy should took to 2013 Golden Globes co-hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, but Fey said this week that she doesn't plant to host the Oscars -- ever.

[comiczar3]

I felt neutral about Seth MacFarlane as host (or know who he was) but I didn't give it a lot of thought. I thought, this is comedy. Obviously for many women it simply wasn't.

Women are rising, finally, in power, big time. I assume Seth is a comic. And that is what comedians do. I happen to really like Jamie Lee Curtis and Jane Fonda. But I think they are overeacting a lot more than they should in this one case. Women have a lot of power now. I cannot even speak to one in the town I am in without being super careful with my words or take the reprisal of a multi-gal backlash. (I could be making this up).

There has got to be a place where men and women can like and love each other and not use each other (except by mutual agreement). Power to the all the kingdoms of nature and to woman and man. Love one another right now.

Comedy and hate fests (like Roasts) are designed to stir things up. Jody Foster and even Hathaway have taken up certain causes that I absolutely do agree with.

Be sure the polarity hasn't been created to take more human rights away from us. In my town women are called goddesses and men seem very excluded. Going to human's for Truth is not smart. We are all flawed. When I want a little truth I go to God alone. Or my cat. He always tells me exactly what he wants and never asks me to fix anything. He is very patient and a good listener. Too bad he was neutered/fixed before I got him. He'd be great with the ladies.

On the other hand I literally have no clue. Women are the greatest mystery of all time, I think. I hope you include us in your lives. We like and need you at many levels.

Perhaps everyone just has to make themselves happy and not rely on others for that? !

[Bayernpower]

hmm who wrote this article? speak any English? proof read? I am not a native English speaker and I spotted these mistakes. took err look and plant errr plan. never mind that satire has no place here since no one gets it

[Ulgnud]

How refreshing there is still someone who is not afraid to speak his mind and maybe the truth. If the two legislator ninnies don't like it, too bad. If it is that bad for them then change the channel or turn it off.

[MrLiterally]

Actually, maybe California "voters" should use better judgement in the future.

[proeliumfessus]

Tyranny! This kind of short-sightedness in LEGISLATORS of all people? Amazing how far the pedigree of our nation's leadership has sunk. Freedom of speech is paramount; I'm vehemently against their position. Shame! Shame on you, Bonnie Lowenthal and Hannah Jackson- shame!

[PourpaixPourpaix]

These are the same little Princesses who grew up on Lifetime movies where the only good man is perfectly obedient and never talks back to even the most virulent insult. The more fits they throw, the more I like to tell the jokes.

Like the typical blonde who was asked which is closer, New York or the moon? "Why the moon, of course! You can't see New York from here!"

[PenguinSchool]

This is a form of bullying and stereotyping. Stop the hate targeted at groups of people.

[siberian99]

Are you kidding me ??? From an industry that panders bad movies, killing, torture, abuse, violence ??? And these twits are worried about a few jokes about boobies and overweight people??? Give me a break !!!

[jchriscochran]

Spellcheck often? You should plant to do it in the future.

[WaaaahWaaaahWaaah]

I think those women have better things to worry about...like passing our budget. Keep your trap shut and stop wasting more of our valuable time and money.