Cooter calls new Dukes movie "Sleezy"

[Drache]

Former Dukes of Hazzard star urges fans to avoid movie version
DOUG GROSS
July 14, 2005


ATLANTA (AP) - A former star of the The Dukes of Hazzard TV show is urging fans to skip the forthcoming movie version, calling it "a sleazy insult."

Ben Jones, a former Georgia congressman who played the wisecracking mechanic Cooter on the popular series from 1979 to 1985, said profanity and sexual content in the film make a mockery of the family-friendly show. "Basically, they trashed our show," said Jones, who read a script of the Warner Brothers movie, which is scheduled to be released next month.

"It's one thing to do whatever movie they want to do, but to take a classic family show and do that is like taking I Love Lucy and making her a crackhead or something."

On Wednesday, Jones wrote an open letter to fans on his website, urging them to stay away.

"From all I have seen and heard, the Dukes movie is a sleazy insult to all of us who have cared about the Dukes of Hazzard for so long," Jones wrote. "Unless they clean it up before the August fifth release date I would strongly recommend that true blue Dukes fans hold their noses and pass this one up."

A spokeswoman at Warner Brothers did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment on Wednesday.

The Dukes of Hazzard was a surprise hit for CBS, pitting "good-ol' boys" Bo and Luke Duke and their moonshine-running Uncle Jesse against the crooked politician Boss Hogg and his bumbling henchman, Sheriff Coltrane, in fictional Hazzard County.

Jones was elected to Congress in 1988 as a Democrat. He lost his bid for a third term in 1992 after his district was redrawn. He owns Cooter's Place, a Dukes memorabilia shop in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
 

[Telvis]

That's the reason I want to see it!

[tomonty]

I find it hard to believe that he is whining about sexual content when in the original series you had daisy running around in short,short shorts or a bikini...
I think he should lighten up a little....

[4cruzin]

I'm gonna go see it!! 

[Drache]

I'll see it when it comes out on DVD....

[Silver R/T]

everything's sleezy with simpson in it

[Dale The Bold]

It's not the sleaze that really offends fans, it's that they turned the good ol' boys into potheads.

[Daytona Guy]

I'm in agreement with Cooter. It should be the Billy Bob's of Hazard. Jessica is from Scanks-Ville Georgia. Just watching the previews makes me want to throw a hub cap and buy a Mobile home. Yee ha. Red necks we solute. No class. I'm glad someone has the guts to speak up.

[Telvis]

Wasn't there a travelling whorehouse on the original series?? Daisy always wore skimpy outfits especially for the late 70's and early 80's. Moonshine, whores, running from the Police, breaking out of jail, blowing stuff up......Not to mention that they hung out in the Boars Nest bar. Those are some good ole wholesome family values. I think Cooter has been watching too many reruns of Little House On The Prairie. He's got his show's confused.

[tomonty]

Wasn't there a travelling whorehouse on the original series?? Daisy always wore skimpy outfits especially for the late 70's and early 80's. Moonshine, whores, running from the Police, breaking out of jail, blowing stuff up......Not to mention that they hung out in the Boars Nest bar. Those are some good ole wholesome family values. I think Cooter has been watching too many reruns of Little House On The Prairie. He's got his show's confused.

That is my point exactly. It wasn't like the original series was nice and wholesome.

[NHCharger]

I think Jones has a hair across his ass because he wasn't asked to be in the movie.
Unfortunately sex sells everything theses days. Even country music videos push it. Have you seen the new video from Brooks and Dunn . I had to go take a cold shower after it was over.

[Drache]

They shoulda started making the movie in 2006 and used a 2006 charger to smash up instead of the '69s!

[Johnny SixPack]

Wasn't there a travelling whorehouse on the original series?? Daisy always wore skimpy outfits especially for the late 70's and early 80's. Moonshine, whores, running from the Police, breaking out of jail, blowing stuff up......Not to mention that they hung out in the Boars Nest bar. Those are some good ole wholesome family values. I think Cooter has been watching too many reruns of Little House On The Prairie. He's got his show's confused.

We have a winner!

He's just pissed he didn't get included/payed IMO, so he's retaliating the only way he can.

Personally, I think his saying it's sleezy will probably have the opposite effect he's looking for.

And as I've said before, it's hard to take anything Cooter says seriously, since he's wrecking Chargers for money.

So tell Cooter to stop being such a cooter and ease up a little.

Maybe even try givin' some stuff away for free.


Johnny

[Daytona Guy]

Wasn't there a travelling whorehouse on the original series?? Daisy always wore skimpy outfits especially for the late 70's and early 80's. Moonshine, whores, running from the Police, breaking out of jail, blowing stuff up......Not to mention that they hung out in the Boars Nest bar. Those are some good ole wholesome family values. I think Cooter has been watching too many reruns of Little House On The Prairie. He's got his show's confused.

That is my point exactly. It wasn't like the original series was nice and wholesome.

You all have good points. But Look at Bat Man & Robin back in the 70's. You could argue the same. Cat Woman was hot, nice tight black leather, and that show was full of violence. Lets not put our heads in the sand, there is a difference. The old Dukes show was more of a cultural show. The law was a joke - They were all good old boys. The new Dukes movie just took it from pablum to skank.

[Lowprofile]

Cooter is just grabbing his last "15 Min. of Fame". Sour Grapes  His Jerry Fallwell imitation is piss poor at best. It is good that he is exercising his freedom of choice. I just wish he would allow us to exercise ours in peace.

[Daytona Guy]

Cooter is just grabbing his last "15 Min. of Fame". Sour Grapes   His Jerry Fallwell imitation is piss poor at best. It is good that he is exercising his freedom of choice. I just wish he would allow us to exercise ours in peace.

You left out freedom of speech. I think that is what he is exercising. Dang, isn't it nice for once to have someone stand up for something? Why is it, that if someone stands up for some morals, that they have sours grapes? Maybe his motives are pure. Why is it so easy for us to rip on him for standing up for good. Why does that antimidate people so much? Why can't I have the freedom of taking my kids to a movie that isn't all skanked out. It's simply cheep white trash. My hat is off to Cooter for having the nads to take the heat for using his freedom of speech. Bring it on. If people do not speak out Hollywood will just keep cramming their crap down our throat.

[Lowprofile]

Where was it carved in stone that they had to make a movie for your kids to see?? Thats why they call it "show business" Movies like that are made for one reason only.....to make lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ from 18 to 34 yr. old males, which in turn makes money for WB & Their stockholders. How come all of a sudden "The Dukes of Hazard" might as well be Sodom & Gomorrah. Its just a stupid movie.

[Daytona Guy]

<<Where was it carved in stone that they had to make a movie for your kids to see??>>

They don't have to - and they didn't. But, if it is about the money, then look at this last years movies, for that matter, look at the 100 all time grossing movies, and you will find out that the biggest money makers are the family movies. Why? because a family of four means four tickets not two. Do the math. If it was about the money, then they blew it. If Cooter's motives are up for judgement, then can I say, -  It's about the pervs in Hollywood with an agenda?

I would not call "The Dukes of Hazard" movie a Sodom & Gomorrah type. That would be overstating it, but I do understand your hyperbole. I am just tired of the skanking out of a potential great family movie. Thats all. It is just nice to see someone in Hollywood that will say something. Anything.

BTW. I see you own a 70 RT. Sweet.

[69_500]

I think that he is trying to grab some of the limelight of the movie. I mean at least around here the is already a buzz of people saying they want to go see the movie. So if he thinks he can gain some more attention by making a comment about the movie then he will. I can't blame him for making the comment, it is sexual in nature and all. However I don't think its gone past the point that the origional series went in their own time frame.

[Chargerguy74]

I like sleezy...I however have a hard time handling Jessica Simpson do to her stupidity

[Lowprofile]

Take the kids to see "Herbie rides again". Much better movie. Yea, they went for the lowball dollar with "Dukes", but what did you really expect? And, although the TV show was somewhat tame by todays standards, you got to admit, that show was sucessiful because of Fast Cars, Hell raising, law breakin', Drinkin & Daisy Dukes Shorts. Trailer park trash at its Finest.   




BTW  Your wing Cars Rock.

[Dale The Bold]

The only law the Dukes ever broke was speeding, and that was only during car chases (ie. escaping from corrupt cops, or trying to catch the bad guys).  Okay, maybe breaking and entering, and mild vigilanteism, but that's how they "fight the system," and was only ever done to catch bad guys.  And the only hell-raising they did was making things difficult for the baddies.  They would drink beer, but never got drunk (which actually sends a positive message about moderation).

I still think the biggest complaint among fans of the show is that the movie turned the Dukes into druggies, which is quite a disgrace.  They've reversed the show.  The Duke family were the smart good guys and Rosco and Boss were the foolish bad guys.  Now they're both the opposite.

[Shakey]

I think that he is trying to grab some of the limelight of the movie. I mean at least around here the is already a buzz of people saying they want to go see the movie. So if he thinks he can gain some more attention by making a comment about the movie then he will. I can't blame him for making the comment, it is sexual in nature and all. However I don't think its gone past the point that the origional series went in their own time frame.

I agree.  I think that Cooter is smarter than what we give him credit for.  By him contatcing the media and publicly blasting the movie he is in fact helping to promote the movie.  Why would he wnt to promote the movie you ask?  Cooter has a Dukes restaurant and museum or something along the lines of that in TN and he plans on opening another.  I think right now would be the time to prepare for the grand opening and while his staff are doing that, he can continue to bash/promote the movie.  He can tell people to boycott, 10 people will and another 100 will want to go see it.

[Daytona Guy]

I really do not think he is doing this to promote the movie. I saw the interview with him. He is simply saying that It is not a movie for children. Boycotting does work, ask the French and other companies that crossed lines that people just got tired of promoting. This controversy will do nothing to promote the movie. People will go and see it, but what it will do is alert parents, who want to be shade for their children, to not take their kids.

As for his biz. If it was a Herbie movie, or a movie that promoted a kid audience, then it would have helped his biz 10 fold. As for the former cast being stiffed, ya that ticks me off. I love when they incorporate a former cast into movies. It can be creative. That is one of the things I like about Artist, musical or otherwise, they respect and pay tribute to those who have gone before.

Look at my views. I will still see the movie, but I will not be taking my kids. WB, it is your loss.

"Dale The Bold", I could not have said it better.

What a great way to break in this new board - Yee Haa

[bull]

My mom recently told me she really didn't like me watching the Dukes of Hazzard back in the '80s, mosly because of the Daisy factor. I think there was also a bit of an authority issue on the show with a corrupt county commissioner and sheriff's dept that she didn't like. Cooter even stole the president's limo in one episode because he just had to have it (I think it was supposed to be the president's car anyway). I can see Cooter's point to an extent but I hardly think the original show was morally virtuous as he claims. It was pretty trashy on its own. This all begs the question, has Ben Jones (or whatever his name is) even seen the whole movie or is he just forming his opinions according to the trailers? So far I haven't seen a huge departure from the essence of the original TV show.