Googoosh on cover of Ettela'at Haftegi
30 Day 2536, 20 January 1978
Googooshgate Reaction
The following are reader's comments and the author's note on "Googooshgate".
* Booo!
* Awesome
* Thanks for shock
* Cheap and humiliating
* Funny
* Creative
* Something useful
* Vulgar
* A joke's a joke
* Quite a laugh
* Need laughter
* Why not those idiots?
* Khodeti
* Amazed
* Heartbreaker
* Great taste
* I am Googoosh!
* Sophomoric, simple-minded, tasteless, but good fun
* Note from author of "Googooshgate"
* A joke's a joke
I just don't understand why us Iranians are so sensitive that we can't even take a joke ["Googooshgate"]. A joke is a joke and we should learn from Americans and start appreciating a good laugh rather than make someone like God and worshiping him or her. Googoosh was a very good singer and everyone liked her. What's wrong with joking around with her? In this country they joke with Jesus and not too many people get offended. Come on people, relax and don't be so serious.
J.B.
pars34@earthlink.net
* Booo!
Booo! Shame on you. You messed up a good April Fool's story with Googoosh's last remark ["Googooshgate"]. Using her to make fun of Clinton's womanizing was great: you had me on the edge of my seat not knowing whether something happened or not. And knowing how much you and many readers idolize her, made the story all the more interesting to read. But when her English became impeccable, she went from being a believable character in a satire to a propaganda pawn.
Certainly Iran has made gestures which in appearance support Khatami's desire to build better foreign relations and make Iran once again a respected nation. But not all of what the Googoosh-character said is true nor is it strictly about Iran building a sense of goodwill.
Don't get me wrong. Americans have been misled a lot about the US Government's involvement in the Middle East. But with Googoosh's last statement, the misleading was reversed to reflect Iran's interest and intentions. In politics and power there are always overt and covert messages to consider, and things do not always appear as they seem. In this, please do not play us for fools. Alex Bettesworth <Alex_B@pacbell.net>
* Awesome
First when I saw the ["Googooshgate"] email, I was like "Shoot- what's this?" As soon as I opened the page I realized it was a joke. But it was a damn good one! I loved the "You go girl" and the last comment by Googoosh! Awesome, you outdid yourself! Trita.Parsi <m74tp80t@students.su.se>
* Thanks for shock
I can't believe you did this to me! I missed one of my lectures because I wanted to read this article ["Googooshgate"]. I got the email... I couldn't belive my eyes... then I had to rush to a Netscape browser to read the entire thing. I even BELIEVED it.... well, the first paragraph at least! Thanx for shocking me on April Fools Day. Pedram Missaghi <pmissagh@sdcc13.ucsd.edu>
* Why not those idiots?
Well, well, well. I suppose your story about Bradley's interview with Googoosh is an April Fools joke. It was very stupid. Why Googoosh and why not one of those idiots [Iranian pop singers] in the U.S.? Sirous Mehrgan <sirous@omcs.com.au>
* Not so low
Is this ["Googooshgate"] for real? I can not believe that Googoosh is so low class that she would even give an interview like this. Is this interview going to be on TV anytime soon? Please let me know. Mojgan <HMFAB@aol.com>
* Khodeti
Yeah right ["Googooshgate"] . Come on... maa khodemoon hamaro siaah mikonim. But I have to give it to you, it was very creative. Ramin Tabib <rtabib@worldnet.att.net>
* Cheap and humiliating
Dear sir, the so-called April Fools article on Googoosh ["Googooshgate"] was very cheap and humiliating. Even Aliens don't write such horrible stuff on us. Googoosh is an "Ultra Super Star" and in this commercial world of MTVs and amongst thousands of faces and voices exposed by the ruling countries, She stands at the peak of music and arts and shines in the world brighter than any other star.
You should be ashamed of what you have put on in your web magazine. Can't you hear the great music that Googoosh has created. Of course not.
Remember this is not a time to joke with our great values. This is the time to realize, recognize, introduce and expose our good values. In this you have a great responsibility on your shoulders. Never belittle yourself and your nation. Your's sincerely, 13 Farvardin 8478 Aryan/Zoroastrian. Baktash Khamsehpour <baghta@hotmail.com>
* Funny
Just a little note saying that we really enjoy the Iranian Times. "Googooshgate" was especially funny. Thank you. Regards, Parviz Tanavoli <heech@axionet.com>
* Creative
Your "Googooshgate" April Fool's was really unique and creative. Well done! Goli Ameri <ameri@pop.mindspring.com>
* Something useful
I read the interview with Googoosh ["Googooshgate"]. And I have somthing to say. We all know that Googoosh was a good singer and she didn't sing for 20 years and she will never sing again. Certainly not for President Clinton.
So plaese stop with all that crap you write and write somthing usefull. This interview is nothing but a joke about Googoosh and using her to make publicity for President Clinton. However I didn't consider that as publicity. Please if you want that we read your pages and if you want to make us happy , don't write such things again. Because is obvious that it is all a lie. By the way, Googoosh speaks perfectly English. Nima Hosseinpour <hnima@minf.vub.ac.be>
* Vulgar
I really don't know what the purpose of this meaningless mocking of the Persian Musical Queen ["Googooshgate"] is all about. I have to admit, I am very disappointed ain The Iranian Times. I never expected such disrespect of a much loved and respected Iranian pride and joy such as Googoosh.
Well, this kind of gives me and idea of what The Iranian Times is all about, supporting such filthy publications as this. I appreciate jokes and comic endeavors involving different artists but I have to say that whoever came up with this has no kind of respect for the Iranian culture or its people and I am ashamed of having these kinds of perversions in my culture.
The Iranian Times should know better not to degrade its own people in this fashion. If any other members of the Iranian community were to read this vulgar display of humorless filth, you would be surely confronted with much hostility by the Iranian community. Furthermore, my perspective of the The IranianTimes has changed greatly. I once saw it as a serious bond between our people worldwide, but now, it sounds more like some trashy article about a celebrity in a Playboy Magazine.
I would like a response or at least some kind of explanation as to why a prestigious member of the Iranian Media such as The IranianTimes would even consider including this degrading cest of vile pestilence in its menu. I am greatly ashamed and I pray to god that this was nothing but a clerical mistake which I seriously doubt that it was. A baffled member of the Iranian Community, Fullad <FULAAD@aol.com>
* Quite a laugh
This interview ["Googooshgate"] gave me quite a laugh. Maryam Ovissi <movissi@mfa.org>
* Need laughter
The moment I saw it ["Googooshgate"], I knew it. It was too easy, but thanx anyway. We need some laughter in this serious world. K. Hadjari <k.hadjari@swipnet.se>
* Amazed
Good joke, very, very, very good ["Googooshgate"]. Amazing...... I am amazed... very good. I'm still amazed..... :-) Mark Farahani <naderfrn@ix.netcom.com>
* Heartbreaker
If you knew that Googoosh still remains in our hearts, you would not have fooled her ["Googooshgate"]. I would not consider you guys as journalists. Stop sending me mails. Mehdi Mohajeran <mehdi.mohajeran@banyan.siemens.at>
* Great taste
This is my comment about the piece you Brilliant Minds put togther for us ["Googooshgate"]. It was very very original and done in a great taste. Whoever invisioned it should become a screenwriter for James Cameron and rewrite the DAMN "Titanic".
Keep up the good work. And for those who didn't like the piece, I say one thing, just chill and be a good sport about it! And please get a life. It was funny as HELL.... Thanks, again. After programming for past 15 hours, I needed a good laugh like this. Kavon Shamloo <76532.1155@compuserve.com>
* I am Googoosh!
WHY DON't YOU LEAVE ME ALONE????????!!!!!!!! It has been a while that your site has been posting my pictures, songs, and information about me without any permission from me. And the recent one is what you posted under "Googooshgate". This is unlawful, illegal, immoral and most of all insulting.
I want to make it perfectly clear that if you do not remove all the information about me from your site, I am considering taking serious legal steps to stop this inappropriate behaviour. I would like to add, that I have been trying so hard to put my past behind, and start my own new life.
Now I am married much happier than ever and want to live a peaceful life without being subject to public media. I do not have any interest in being portrayed in internet sites no matter for what reason. I strongly demand that you stop your harassment and remove all my pictures , songs and other information immediately. With respect, 11 Farvardin, Googoosh <googoosh1@hotmail.com>
* Sophomoric, simple-minded, tasteless, but good fun
Reading your quite obvious and, I am afraid to say, sophomoric attempt at an April Fools' joke ["Googooshgate"], had its amusing moments. But, WOW ! The responses to your piece are the real entertainment. If we are truly at home with ourselves and secure in our identity, what harm can there be in some simple (perhaps I should say simple-minded) spoofing.
Surely, we are not so fragile a people that we cannot afford to laugh at ourselves, as well as others. And how sad, that we would need to vilify the good people of The Iranian Times, for their generous attempt at amusing us. I can fault the writing and I can fault your poor taste, but I cannot fault your intent. Thank you. Please feel free to keep amusing me. There is no stronger medicine for life's ills, than a good chuckle. Yasmine Rafii <yart@seanet.com>
* Note from author of "Googooshgate"
To those who found the "Googooshgate" article insulting, I invite them to read the article again. Nothing sexual happened in the fictional meeting between Googoosh and Clinton. We just assume something did or may have happpened because of current allegations against Clinton, Bradley's pointed questions and Googoosh's suggestive choice of words. The lesson here may be that we shouldn't be quick to jump to conclusions without looking closely at the facts.
To those who think Googoosh was portrayed as ignorant, I refer them to her last statement on Iran-U.S. relations. There's a general perception that Googoosh is, at best, just a good singer, who only thinks about her looks and fame. Her last comments in the article -- again -- are a sharp reminder that we should see beyond the surface.
The worst character in the article is neither Clinton, nor Googoosh, but Bradley. In this article he represents the present state of journalism where sensasionalism rules over common sense and social responsibility. Are Clinton's alleged infidelities more important than the economy, health care, education and foreign policy? Iraqi children are dieing like flies. So what. Sex sells.
And yes: Googoosh will sing again, sooner than you think. Oh, and I almost forgot: lighten up a bit.
Related links
* Clinton:
"Let's put the past behind us" -- U.S. President's surprise
announcement a year ago today.
* Googoosh
songs
* THE IRANIAN Features
section
* Cover stories
* Who's
who
* Bookstore
Copyright © 1997 Abadan Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated or distributed in any form.
