July 16, 2011 4:23 PM

Jane Fonda: QVC "caved" to boycott threat

Jane Fonda arrives at UCLA Longevity Center's 20th Anniversary ICON Awards on June 4, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

(CBS News) 

Jane Fonda said that a cable shopping channel cancelled her scheduled appearance to promote a new book at the behest of angry phone callers threatening a boycott.

The Academy Award-winning actress was due to appear on QVC today to promote her new book about aging, "Prime Time."

In a blog posted today on her website, Fonda wrote that QVC received a lot of calls Friday criticizing her for her opposition to the Vietnam War, and threatening to boycott the show if she were allowed to appear.

"I am, to say the least, deeply disappointed that QVC caved to this kind of insane pressure by some well-funded and organized political extremist groups," Fonda wrote, "and that they did it without talking to me first.

"I have never shied away from talking about this as I have nothing to hide. I could have pointed out that threats of boycotts are nothing new for me and have never prevented me from having bestselling books and exercise DVDs, films, and a Broadway play.

"Most people don't buy into the far right lies. Many people have reached out to express how excited they were about my going onto QVC and hearing about my book.

"Bottom line, this has gone on far too long, this spreading of lies about me! None of it is true. NONE OF IT! I love my country. I have never done anything to hurt my country or the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for us.

I do not understand what the far right stands to gain by continuing with these myths. In this case, they denied a lot of people the chance to hear about a book that can help make life better, easier and more fulfilling. I am deeply grateful for all of the support I have been getting since this happened, including from my Vietnam Veterans friends."

"Prime Time: Love, Health, Sex, Fitness, Friendship, Spirit - Making the Most of All of Your Life" by Jane Fonda (Random House)

QVC did not respond to an email for comments at press time.

The QVC website does still include a promotional page for Fonda's book.

© 2011 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
Add a Comment See all 126 Comments
by slaphead10-2009 July 23, 2011 3:41 PM EDT
DID YOU NOTICE SHE IS WHIZZED OFF,,,,,,,,,,,,BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T TALK TO HER FIRST..........WHAT AN EGO..................SHE THOUGHT IF THEY HAD, SHE COULD HAVE CHARMED THEM RIGHT TO "HER WAY",,,,,,,,I KNOW HER ,,,,I HAVE SEEN HER OPERATE,,,,,,I AM HER AGE AND I HAVE SEEN HER ALL THESE YEARS.......JUST BECAUSE 40 YEARS HAVE BEEN KIND TO HER "LOOKS" DOESN'T MEAN THE GREAT UNWASHED OUT HERE HAS TO BE KIND TO HER.
Reply to this comment
by jt92202 July 21, 2011 8:09 PM EDT
Namvet22 - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE as well as any other serviceman or woman that has fought for our freedoms and rights! What people forget is that you were made to go to Vietnam, it wasn't your choice to be there doing what you had to do to be able to come back home outside of a coffin!! Nobody that wasn't there has no idea what you guys did, war is ugly, you had to worry about yourself and your fellow Americans before you can worry about anything else. You were put into a bad situation, I am sorry you had to grow up too soon and you have to carry your memories of Nam with you everyday! You were not the enemy but yet you were treated that way when you got home, that was wrong! I am so sorry you have to carry the burden of that war with you daily, you are a symbol of FREEDOM!! THANK YOU!!!
Reply to this comment
by Harden_Tar July 21, 2011 9:10 AM EDT
I think it is funny how when it is a left winger wanting to say something it is "Freedom Of Speech". But when the right come out against it, it is not "Freedom of Speech" but "insane pressure". Janey, you made this bed a long time ago, now you need to lay in it.
Reply to this comment
by cherrybrown July 22, 2011 1:39 PM EDT
Too true! Why is it liberals (especially the most vocal ones) never want to take responsibility for their own actions?

We will NEVER forget Hanoi Jane, seems as though Ms. Fonda YOU want to though. Too bad.
by ScallywagMedia July 19, 2011 2:45 PM EDT
This comes as no surprise.  Leftists will continue to love Jane because she gives a token face to popular left wing opinion; conservatives will hate her because she espouses 'left wing rhetoric'; Jane herself will use the (gimmick) occasion to promote her book that  "can help make life better, easier and more fulfilling."

In sum: haters gonna hate, lovers gonna love, and an old controversy never truly dies.

http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2011/07/hanoi-jane-blacklisted-from-qvc/
Reply to this comment
by WakeFan July 18, 2011 12:01 PM EDT
Jane Fonda should have been tried as a traitor to this country when she visited Hanoi. Giving aid and comfort to the enemy only hurts our brave men that were captive at the time. There is no telling how much damage she caused because of her actions. It's one thing to say that you are against the war it's another to visit the enemy and even stage a mock firing of an AA gun aimed at US planes. I'm proud of QVC's decision. Difficult decisions by our govenment are made all the time that send our troops in harms way, however when you openly support the enemy you can put our own troops in danger. I have always been very proud of the men and woman in our armed forces who served during the Vietnam War. Please if you notice a veteran who is wearing a cap or shirt that identifies them as a Vietnam Veteran go up to them and tell them thank you for your service to our country. It might make up for those who spat on our soliders when they returned home from Vietnam.
Reply to this comment
by deppcg July 19, 2011 6:37 PM EDT
Agree completely. The comment I keep hearing over the last few days news cycle is that Jane Fonda was kicked off QVC because she protested the Vietnam war. Millions of Americans protested the war. Can't think of anyone else who went to the enemies "CAMP" and provided aid and comfort. I wish when the media reports about why there is so much anamosity, they state the true facts about why. Stop revising history!!! Hanoi Jane herself still doesn't get it.
by slobo6 July 21, 2011 8:07 AM EDT
DITTO! And I wrote QVC and thanked tme, and received a gracious reply from them. QVC has my business when I want something they offer. Fonda has my distain. I still have a black T-shirt which reads, "boycott Jane Fonda, America's Traitor *****"! Unfortunately I am 66 and can't fit into it...or I would were it!
by tzummy July 18, 2011 12:49 AM EDT
I'LL FORGIVE JANE FONDA AND WHEN THE JEWS FORGIVE HITLER.
1/327 101st Abn
ABR
Reply to this comment
by rockcutr July 17, 2011 11:12 PM EDT
Jane just somehow does not understand the word traitor.
Reply to this comment
by bman546 July 17, 2011 8:22 PM EDT
Ms. Fonda did far more than just voice an opinion critical of the war. She met with the enemy and was even photographed yucking it up on an anti-aircraft gun. Accept the consequences of your behavior, even if it was 40 years ago. If you want to downplay Ms. Fonda's actions and say she has a right to her opinion (free speech) so does QVC. Discussion over.
Reply to this comment
by windrider160 July 17, 2011 8:05 PM EDT
Forever obsessed about a war that's long over, that's America...incapable of letting go of anything and equally incapable of learning from the experience. We are in Iraq today because a generation of war-loving draft dodgers failed to learn the lesson of Viet Nam but by God, they'll sure trade on their misbegotten patriotism and hatred of Fonda and everyone else who recognized that Viet Nam was a horrific mistake that sacrificed so many for no damned good reason. And then this country turned right around and did it again, and takes no better care of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans than it cared for our Viet Nam vets. Treason takes a variety of forms. How about looking in YOUR mirror instead of hating on an old woman.
Reply to this comment
by 1VNVet July 17, 2011 8:44 PM EDT
windrider160 - Let me ask you one question.....If Hitler was still alive would you forget and forgive him just because he was now an old man.....GIVE ME A BREAK....A Traitor is always a traitor!!!! and you must not have read my earlier post where I clearly said I did 3 tours in Vietnam and I easily forgive the VietCong simply because the war is over BUT I will NEVER forgive Hanoi Jane simply because she was a TRAITOR to her own country and even went to Hanoi on a dual citizenship which was against the law......OH and by the way....many if not most of those that fought in Vietnam were drafted....NONE of those in Iraq or Afghanistan were drafted......there IS a difference.
by mattrick78 July 17, 2011 9:20 PM EDT
Vet and other vets like him are trying to overcompensate for the guilt they feel for their own atrocities they committed in Nam.
See all 6 Replies
by Mike A. July 17, 2011 6:27 PM EDT
Boo hoo. Hanoi Jane freely did their thing, knowing exactly what they were doing and who they were doing it with. Late when it blew up in her face she gave token 'my bad' half-a** apology hoping for quick damage control. With it blowing up in her face again, it is everyone else's fault, and nobody is allowed to have an opinion except Jane.
Reply to this comment
See all 126 Comments
.
Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...