Bob CollinsWhat makes for lousy comedy? The vaccine debate, which pits people with scientific evidence against those who ignore it.
Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me’s Peter Sagal found himself in a Twitter spat today following the weekend appearance by Alicia Silverstone, who wrote in her recent parenting book, “There is increasing anecdotal evidence from doctors who have gotten distressed phone calls from parents claiming their child was ‘never the same’ after receiving a vaccine.”
That brought out a rebuke from Colin Meloy, the lead singer for “The Decemberists.”
Dismayed that @waitwait chose to give vaccine skeptic @AliciaSilv a pulpit this morning. I THOUGHT YOU WERE BETTER THAN THIS @petersagal
— colin meloy (@colinmeloy) June 2, 2014
Sagal was up to the challenge.
(1) .@colinmeloy We generally don't challenge our guests on anything substantive. We do amiable chat, not confrontation. Part of our brand.
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) June 3, 2014
(2) .@colinmeloy This has brought us criticism before — Why didn't you challenge XX on her position on Y? Often pols, of course.
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) June 3, 2014
(3) @colinmeloy Obviously, there are people with views so unpleasant we just wouldn't have them on — Wayne LaPierre comes to my mind.
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) June 3, 2014
(4) @colinmeloy But nice/interesting people with one or two crazy views? Harder call. Eg: Maher. Interesting funny guy, nuts on meds.
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) June 3, 2014
But Meloy countered, saying the anti-vaccine crowd deserves the muting that Sagal said the head of the National Rifle Association should suffer.
(1)@petersagal in some respects, the anti-vaxx community, particularly its celebrity adherents, can be very Wayne LaPierre-esque:
— colin meloy (@colinmeloy) June 3, 2014
Sagal ended the conversation with a head pat.
@colinmeloy We made one call, you another. Now: go write more great songs, I will write more lame jokes, as are our respective duties.
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) June 3, 2014
Related: Delaying Vaccines Increases Risks—with No Added Benefits (Scientific American).
