boycott

Why Are People Boycotting Max? #DontStreamOnMax Hashtag, Explained

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The hashtag #DontStreamOnMax surfaced on X on Monday ahead of the annual stockholder meeting for Max’s parent company, Warner Bros Discovery in an attempt to boycott the platform. Launched by a fan collective known as Adopt Our Crew, the campaign aims to protest recent actions by the streaming service. Since its inception on June 3, the hashtag has gained significant traction on X, Instagram, and Tumblr, accumulating 22,000+ posts. Max, previously known as HBO Max, offers a wide range of content including Max Originals. Unfortunately, it has faced criticism for its handling of certain shows, which ultimately led to this particular boycott.

Read More: “Euphoria” Fans Crash HBO Max Trying To Access Season 2 Finale

Origins Of The Campaign

The show Our Flag Means Death, a period romantic comedy series about pirates, inspired the name “Adopt Our Crew,” the collective behind the #DontStreamOnMax hashtag. When the show’s showrunner announced in January that it wouldn’t return for a third season, fans rallied to form the collective. Their initial goal was to keep the fandom strong and advocate for the series to be picked up elsewhere. However, the group’s mission has since expanded beyond this single show.

Broader Mission Of Adopt Our Crew

Members of Adopt Our Crew have expressed their commitment to elevating queer stories and addressing broader issues of representation in media. They cited frustration with the cancellation or shelving of many shows and movies, particularly those featuring LGBTQ characters. According to the 2024 Where We Are on TV report from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), 36% of all LGBTQ characters on television shows won’t be returning — with a notable number from Max shows.

“Originally launched in early 2024 after Max gutted their slate of original series, canceling five critically
acclaimed shows: Warrior, Our Flag Means Death, Julia, Rap Sh!t, and The Flight Attendant, the #DontStreamOnMax campaign seeks to hold WBD and Max accountable and draw attention to the fact that the company is increasingly prioritizing existing IP and platforming a transphobic creator over shows
that authentically depict queer and POC characters,” the letter reads.

Read More: Lizzo Gets Doc On HBO Max: “10 Years To Become An ‘Overnight Success’”

Significance Of Representation

Posts using the #DontStreamOnMax hashtag emphasize the importance of representation and critique Max’s perceived failure to prioritize diverse content. Our Flag Means Death was highly regarded, receiving excellent reviews and generating significant social media buzz. Fans argue that if such a well-received show can’t survive on Max, it signals a troubling trend for other diverse and queer stories.

History Of Fan Campaigns

The campaign is not the first instance of fans rallying to save beloved shows. Social media has previously played a crucial role in giving fans hope to revive canceled shows. Similarly, the Adopt Our Crew collective aims to highlight how Warner Bros Discovery’s and Max’s actions alienate audiences. Overall, this could potentially impact subscriber numbers and profits.

Impact On Max & Warner Bros. Discovery

In their press release, Adopt Our Crew stated their goal to raise awareness among stockholders, subscribers, consumers, and the general public about the negative impact of recent decisions by Warner Bros. Discovery and Max. As the hashtag continues to gain momentum, it remains to be seen how Max will respond. Representatives from Max have not yet commented on the campaign, leaving many questions about the future direction of the streaming service and its commitment to diverse storytelling.

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Australian Politician Calls For Diddy Boycott Following Cassie Video: “Everyone Has A Role To Play”

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Sussan Ley, the deputy leader of the Liberal Party of Australia, has called for a boycott of Diddy’s music in the country from its radio stations and other media outlets. Ley made the call in a statement following the new video showing the Bad Boy mogul assaulting Cassie in 2016.

“Australians have an opportunity to take action on this issue. We can call out this unacceptable violence,” she said. “I am asking Australian businesses to reconsider any activities they may be taking that may be financially benefiting Mr Combs. This should see Australian media companies, including radio stations, take any of his music off their channels today. Everyone has a role to play in calling out domestic violence. Australia should send a clear message on this matter.”

Read More: Cassie Had Visible Bruises During Film Premiere Days After Diddy’s Alleged Hotel Attack: Report

Diddy & Cassie Attend “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: The Bad Boy Story” Premiere

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 27: Actress Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs attend the ‘Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: The Bad Boy Story’ Premiere at Beacon Theatre on April 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic)

Diddy released a video apologizing for the incident on Sunday. In the clip, he claimed that he is going to therapy in an attempt to better himself. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” he said. “I was f*cked up — I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

Sussan Ley Wants Australians To Take Action

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by HOLLYWOOD UNLOCKED (@hollywoodunlocked)

Despite the video, Diddy won’t be facing criminal charges for the incident, as the statute of limitations has passed. Be on the lookout for further updates on Diddy on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Candace Owens Calls On Diddy To “Name Names” In Response To Apology Video

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Why Are Some Movie Fans Calling For A “Dune 2” Boycott?

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Denis Villeneuve’s long-awaited Dune sequel finally arrived in theaters this weekend to rave reviews from critics and general audiences alike. Unfortunately, some social media users have taken issue with the film and have called for a full-scale boycott of the sci-fi adventure. The reasoning for the Dune 2 boycott is fairly niche, however, and unlikely to hold a great impact on the film’s profitability. Still, it’s worth examining, as the issue ties-in to a significant global conflict which has already cost many actors their jobs. Here’s a look into why some fans are demanding a Dune 2 boycott.

The Boycott Centers On A November 2023 SNL Sketch

Dune 2 lead Timothée Chalamet hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live back in November, which saw him taking on a number of roles in comedy sketches throughout the evening. One pre-recorded sketch, headed by one of SNL‘s in-house comedy troupes Please Don’t Destroy, centered on Chalamet’s character planning to leap from a ledge to his death. The trio behind Please Don’t Destroy, portraying fictionalized versions of themselves, see Chalamet as he prepares to leap and attempt to stop him from doing so, asking him if there’s anything in his life worth living for. The punchline of the sketch is that Chalamet’s character is an aspiring musician, though his music, which he proceeds to play over a Bluetooth speaker as he teeters on the edge of a ledge, is all terrible.

While most of the punchlines in the sketch come and go with little controversy, one joke which references the Palestinian political group Hamas has received negative press from users on social media platforms such as TikTok and Reddit. The joke in question sees Chalamet asking onlookers to share his music on Instagram, and explaining that his band is named Hamas (pronounced hay-mis, but spelled H-A-M-A-S) prompting one member of Please Don’t Destroy to shout, “Yeah dude I’m not sharing a song by Hamas on Instagram!”

Supporters Of Palestine Find The Joke To Be “Disgusting” & “Disrespectful”

@kittiearie

#duneparttwo #dunepremiere #dunemovie #timoteechalamet #fyp

♬ original sound – Cat

While a Dune 2 boycott doesn’t seem to have much of a foothold in general pop culture, many niche groups which support Palestine in the ongoing conflict at the Gaza Strip consider this joke to be tasteless. Others have used the joke as a jumping-off point to criticize the film itself, as well as the novel series on which it is based. Dune defenders have responded to these TikTokers in droves, explaining that the story of Dune carries political themes that wholeheartedly support Palestinian sovereignty.

Furthermore, Dune 2 filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has specifically made pro-Palestine comments in the past and has even expressed interest in helming a film highlighting the plight of the Palestinian people. Other key actors in the film such as Zendaya and Javier Bardem have also taken public stances in support of Palestine, prompting many fans of the film to defend Dune 2 against the calls to boycott.

Timothée Chalamet Has Not Commented On The Controversy Yet

@xiandivyne

Replying to @novad #fyp #xiandivyne #dune

♬ original sound – Christian Divyne

Timothée Chalamet has not yet remarked on the impending Dune 2 boycott or clarified his personal stance on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. This political position has become something of a minefield for Hollywood performers, with many actors being fired from high-profile projects for weighing in. For now, there’s no way of knowing how the social media situation will impact the film’s reception or Chalamet’s career at large.

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