# Universally loathed celebrities you just don't dislike. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 15, 2006, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495 "2006-10-15T03:45:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/1 "2006-10-15T03:45:35Z")
Not rabid fanboy stuff, maybe not even LIKE, but who’s generally reviled that you privately think just isn’t all that loathesome? For me, the biggest is probably **Martha Stewart**. Ok, yeah, I know. There’s that whole jail thing, and she’s so damn competent, and she probably has a dozen minions doing all the actual fabulous work she takes credit for and she makes real homemakers feel inadequate and hopeless. But I like her anyway. I’m not about to start a fan club, or even watch her show every week, but I like it when I do, and I laugh at her jokes and think she’s pretty neat, if a little socially awkward. Second, **Ben Affleck**. I guess he won my heart in _Chasing Amy_ and I can forgive him anything after that. I even though _Daredevil_ was OK. :eek: He just seems to me like a really down-to-earth cool guy who’d be fun to have a few beers with and shoot a game of pool. I don’t doubt that fame and fortune have occasionally led him to make poor decisions, especially romantically, but he seems to have a good sense of humor about himself, and I just sense he’s a good guy. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/2 "2006-10-15T04:16:05Z")
I’ll second both of yours, Whynot, particularly Affleck. I think he’s probably a decent guy and an okay actor–just one who was really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, REALLY bad instincts for shooting scripts. I keep wanting to yell at him, “Good god, Ben – don’t commit to ANYTHING without checking with Matt first! Okay?” Now to my more controversial choice: I have nothing in particular against Tom Cruise. Yes, he’s a bit of a dweeb, but followers of Scientology are as apt to be sinned against as sinning. And I generally enjoy his performances, even when he’s miscast as in War of the Worlds. I’m still going to have Tommy executed when I become God-King, though. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/3 "2006-10-15T04:43:48Z")
Keanu Reeves. In everything of his that i’ve seen, he’s either been more than adequete for the role, or else the film was deeply flawed even not considering his acting. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/4 "2006-10-15T04:57:38Z")
I don’t hate Britney Spears. Because I don’t know who she is. I couldn’t pick her out of a lineup and I’ve never heard one of her songs. I can’t work up any antipathy toward someone who is so far off my radar. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/5 "2006-10-15T05:06:50Z")
Ummm… seing as how all the people in the OP are multi-millionaires, I think it’s a safe bet that none of them is “universally” loathed. ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/6 "2006-10-15T05:11:50Z")
Satan - I just can’t figure out the hatred. He just got a crappy PR firm. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/7 "2006-10-15T05:29:35Z")
[QUOTE=Bobotheoptimist] Satan - I just can’t figure out the hatred. He just got a crappy PR firm. [/QUOTE] My uncle Lucy is just MISUNDERSTOOD. I mean, yes, he is trying to bring about the damnation of all humanity so that he can torture all of y’all in the pits of hellfire for eternity, but at least he’s UP FRONT about it. I mean, imagine if Karl Rove were in charge of Tartarus. Now THAT would be bad. ---
**Author:** ![toadbriar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@toadbriar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadbriar)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/8 "2006-10-15T05:46:03Z")
Well I have a fondness for Gilbert Gottfried - ever since his USA Up All Night hosting days. And I actively liked Tom Green’s show, too. Who are the Pauly Shore fans, is what I’d like to know. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/9 "2006-10-15T06:43:18Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] For me, the biggest is probably **Martha Stewart**. Ok, yeah, I know. There’s that whole jail thing, and she’s so damn competent, and she probably has a dozen minions doing all the actual fabulous work she takes credit for and she makes real homemakers feel inadequate and hopeless. But I like her anyway. I’m not about to start a fan club, or even watch her show every week, but I like it when I do, and I laugh at her jokes and think she’s pretty neat, if a little socially awkward. . [/QUOTE] My problem with Martha is that she is a raving bitch. A good friend of mine (a very competent and well liked event planner) had to work with with her once, and said she was completely awful the entire time (a period of a few days). My friend says you couldn’t pay her enough to deal with that woman again. Other than that, I think she’s fine. I rarely have strong feelings about celebrities unless they’re extremely annoying or something, so I’ll leave it at that. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/10 "2006-10-15T06:48:19Z")
I don’t hate Terrell Owens. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/11 "2006-10-15T06:57:48Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] I don’t hate Terrell Owens. [/QUOTE] I don’t either. I actually wrote a letter to SI recently and said “I don’t hate Owens as much as I should,” although they didn’t run that part. I don’t mind Ben Affleck either, even though he’s not much of an actor AND he’s a Red Sox fan. When he’s in his comfort zone he’s alright. Still, I’m glad he’s had the good sense to tone the publicity in the last few years. ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/12 "2006-10-15T07:06:52Z")
I think \*\*Jennifer Love Hewitt \*\*is completely underrated. She’s a decent actress and a really attractive girl, I don’t understand the hate. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/13 "2006-10-15T07:43:10Z")
[QUOTE=toadbriar] Who are the Pauly Shore fans, is what I’d like to know. [/QUOTE] I liked him when he started out on MTV. I wouldn’t say I was a fan, but I don’t mind him so much. Sort of like a tolerable version of Carrot Top. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/14 "2006-10-15T12:51:39Z")
[QUOTE=toadbriar] Well I have a fondness for Gilbert Gottfried. [/QUOTE] Gotta admit, I think he’s really funny. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/15 "2006-10-15T13:46:01Z")
[QUOTE=astorian] Ummm… seing as how all the people in the OP are multi-millionaires, I think it’s a safe bet that none of them is “universally” loathed. [/QUOTE] Well, of course not, just like not everyone in the “universally loved” thread is literally loved by everyone. It’s called hyperbole and a short title. It may have been more accurate to title it: \*\*Which celebrity that is often badmouthed in the press, on the Dope or by your IRL friends do you secretly think is not all that bad, even though the mere mention of their name is sort of code for “obvious celebrity with grave faults”. \*\*but I didn’t think it would fit in the title box. Plus, I like the parallel to the other thread title. So there. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/16 "2006-10-15T14:11:06Z")
I like Keanu Reeves, too. My friends make fun of me because I seem to be incapable of hearing anyone criticize his acting without remarking that he’s apparently a really nice guy in real life. But he is! Keanu Reeves is a really nice guy! ---
**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/17 "2006-10-15T14:21:56Z")
**Dan Snyder** - but that ties to fanboy stuff. My best answer to the OP: I hope for the best for\*\* Mike Tyson\*\* I have no loathing or dislike in my heart for him. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/18 "2006-10-15T14:49:55Z")
I could sexx0r **Carly Fiorina** into next week. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/19 "2006-10-15T14:55:09Z")
Tom Cruise and Ben Afleck and heck, probably even Mel Gibson. ---
**Author:** ![Sonia\_Montdore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Sonia\_Montdore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sonia_Montdore)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2006, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495/20 "2006-10-15T15:01:54Z")
I’ll go see Mel Gibson’s future movies, assuming TPTB in showbiz allow him to make any more. The guy got drunk and made a notable ass of himself, but who hasn’t done that at least once? It’s just that he got more publcity than the rest of us do when we’re being fools. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universally-loathed-celebrities-you-just-dont-dislike/376495.md?page=2)