Shocking Incident at BAFTAs Involving Tourette Outburst and Racism Accusations, with Andrew Klavan

What this episode is about

A discussion of the BAFTA ceremony's controversial moments, focusing on a Tourette syndrome outburst during the event and ensuing racism accusations, alongside commentary on the film I Swear and its subject John Davidson. The piece highlights on-stage outbursts, the handling of disability and race-related reactions, and broader questions about ceremony conduct and representation.

Key takeaways

• Tourette's moments at the BAFTAs reveal how humor and chaos collide when neurodiversity meets live TV's scrutiny.
• The incident exposes a cultural misread: humor thrives on taboo, but empathy falters when targets are real people.
• Despite context, viewers heard a controversial word—highlighting how airing decisions shape backlash and accountability.
• The debate reframes disability as entertainment risk, prompting questions about consent, portrayal, and responsible hosting.
• Behind the controversy lies a paradox: authenticity in art collides with decorum; nuance often gets silenced.

Who speaks in this episode?

• Megyn Kelly (Guest) · 4 min speaking
• Andrew Klavan (Guest) · 3 min speaking
• John Davidson (Guest)
• Sarah Put (Guest)
• Michael B. Jordan (Guest) · 1 min speaking
• Delroy Lindo (Guest) · 1 min speaking

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 3:00: Tourette's syndrome, I Swear, BAFTAs, Pete Davidson
2. 3:00 – 6:00: Delroy Lindo, BAFTAs, Pete Davidson, Michael B. Jordan
3. 6:00 – 9:00: Frederick William, Tourette's syndrome, Balin Dupri, Jamal Hill
4. 9:00 – 11:09: Birch Gold Group, Pete Davidson

Notable quotes from "Shocking Incident at BAFTAs Involving Tourette Outburst and Racism Accusations, with Andrew Klavan"

• We've got to talk about what happened at the BAFTAs, which is the British Oscars.

  about BAFTAs · at 0:00

• Could be outbursts. Don't take him personally. It's not something he can control. And by the way, the movie itself, I swear, which is very popular.

  about I Swear · at 2:09

• They're blaming the studios. They're blaming BBC for not editing it from the aired program which didn't come on the air till 2 hours later. What do you make of this?

  about BBC · at 4:06

• Occasions when saying a little bit less might be the right thing to do. The guy has Tourette's. This is what it's like.

  about Tourette's syndrome · at 5:18

• They supposed to scold him? The whole movie is about this syndrome and him and how it is uncontrollable. Jamal.

  about Jamal Hill · at 7:19

• The past year or two I was saying to my team there remember the girl Fredo Cuomo Mo interviewed her and her name is Balin Dupri. She's a Tik Tocker and we showed this. Remember this is what Tourette's does to you.

  about Balin Dupri · at 8:23

• Impact the US economy. See if holding gold in a tax sheltered retirement account is right for you. Burge Gold can help you convert an existing IRA or 401k into an IRA in gold.…

  about Birch Gold Group · at 10:23

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Pete Davidson — Person · Referenced subject (biographical focus via film) · 3 mentions · first at 0:17
  He is described as the real-life person whose Tourette's is depicted in the nominated film and whose presence at the BAFTAs is linked to the on-stage outburst controversy.
  The BAFTAs was on Sunday night. And one of the movies being like honored is a movie called I Swear. And it's a movie about John Davidson who was diagnosed with Tourette's…
• Delroy Lindo — Person · Referenced participant (presenter affected by incident) · 3 mentions · first at 1:36
  He is the co-presenter with Michael B. Jordan during the incident; the transcript notes his film background and describes the presenters' reaction and decision to continue.
  It does come across as if they're saying what people are really thinking actually I thought the actors chose to ignore it clearly shocked them you could see it in their eyes…
• Michael B. Jordan — Person · Referenced participant (presenter affected by incident) · 2 mentions · first at 1:36
  He is identified as one of the presenters on stage when the outburst occurred, making him central to the discussion of impact and appropriateness of the ceremony's setup.
  Decision to allow this confluence of things to happen, you know? Like I it was just oh. So they have two black presenters, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, presenting the…
• Jamie Foxx — Person · Referenced commentator (critic of incident) · 1 mention · first at 6:03
  He is cited as reacting on social media by calling the incident 'unacceptable,' which the host frames as misunderstanding Tourette's.
  Saying unacceptable and nah, he meant that's do you know anything about Tourette's? Because they say people with this syndrome say the most incendiary things. It's like I don't think it's true to say we're all.
• Jamal Hill — Person · Referenced commentator (frames incident as racial disrespect) · 1 mention · first at 7:01
  She is quoted arguing that Black people are expected to tolerate dehumanization, providing a contrasting interpretation to the Tourette's/accommodation framing.
• Balin Dupri — Person · Referenced example (Tourette's public figure) · 1 mention · first at 8:28
  She is mentioned as a TikTok creator previously covered to illustrate Tourette's symptoms and the harassment/stigma sufferers can face.
• Frederick William — Person · Referenced attendee (adds social stakes) · 2 mentions · first at 6:41
  His presence in the audience is used to emphasize how publicly awkward and high-stakes the on-air outburst was for the event.
  But the Prince William and Kate were in the audience.
• Sarah Put — Person · Referenced official (BAFTA chair mentioned) · 1 mention · first at 0:49
  She is named as the BAFTA chair whose introductory speech was interrupted by an outburst, illustrating that disruptions affected multiple people at the ceremony.
  A number of outbursts could be heard throughout the BAFTA ceremony, reading here from Variety, including shut the up being shouted during an introductory speech from the BAFTA…

Companies & orgs

• BBC — Company · Referenced broadcaster (editing decision) · 1 mention
  The BBC is blamed by some for not editing the outburst from the broadcast despite a delay, raising questions about broadcast standards and responsibility.

Concepts & topics

• Tourette's syndrome — Concept · Core topic · 3 mentions · first at 0:22
  The episode centers on a BAFTAs incident attributed to Tourette's syndrome and discusses how the condition can cause involuntary vocal tics, including socially explosive utterances.

Places & events

• BAFTAs — Event · Primary setting/event · 2 mentions · first at 0:00
  The BAFTAs ceremony is the setting for the controversy involving an audible slur during presenters' remarks and broader discussion about planning, broadcasting, and accommodations.

Media & podcasts

• I Swear — Media · Referenced media (triggering context for incident) · 2 mentions · first at 0:14
  The film is said to be honored/nominated at the BAFTAs and depicts John Davidson's Tourette's, providing the context for why he was present and why outbursts were anticipated.
• Avatar Fire and Ash — Media · Referenced media (award context) · 1 mention · first at 1:42
  It is named as the film receiving the visual effects award being presented when the outburst occurred, anchoring the moment in the ceremony timeline.
  Was just oh. So they have two black presenters, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, presenting the award for best visual effects to the film Avatar Fire and Ash. Both Michael…

Sponsors

• Birch Gold Group — Company · Advertiser / sponsor · 3 mentions · first at 10:10
  The episode includes a promotional ad read recommending Birch Gold Group for converting retirement accounts into gold as a hedge against uncertainty.

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 We've got to talk about what happened at the BAFTAs, which is the British Oscars. The BAFTAs was on Sunday night. And one of the movies being like honored is a movie called I Swear. And it's a movie about John Davidson who was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome at the age of 25. His symptoms first began when he was 12. They u they included ticks include present day and uncontrollable outbursts often involving cursing. Um, a number of outbursts could be heard throughout the BAFTA ceremony, reading here from Variety, including shut the up being shouted during an introductory speech from the BAFTA chair Sarah Put and you when the directors of Bong, which won for best children's and family film, accepted their award. Okay, it's kind of funny.

1:00 Family award and there he's like, "Fuck off." Okay, sorry. But, you know, I mean, most people with Tourette's could probably laugh about the absurdity of some of these moments. Anyway, my friend's son developed Tourette's. It was shocking. It came out of nowhere. He got ticks and other symptoms, but he actually then outgrew it, which can can happen.

1:20 Uh, in any event, there was a very unfortunate moment. It's funny because like who made the decision to allow this confluence of things to happen, you know? Like I it it was just oh. So they have two black presenters, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, presenting the award for best visual effects to the film Avatar Fire and Ash. Both Michael B. Jordan and Lindo are black and Lindo's appeared in a number of Spikeley films among others. And this guy, the actual Tourette's syndrome guy, who by the way, everyone should have known what he was suffering with because Allan the actor who hosted the event, made it clear throughout. We got a guy here because of this movie. He's got Tourette's. There could be outbursts. Don't take him personally. It's not something he can control. And by the way, the movie itself, I swear, which is very popular.

2:16 So much so it got this one of these nominations, shows it at length what this guy goes through. This isn't him. This is an actor portraying him. Um, but look at S 24 before I get to what happened at the Baptist. This is from the movie I was pointing to.

2:28 No worries. Be honest. It's nice to have a few minutes off work. Parttime slug.

2:34 I spunked on a jellyfish today. Rod's got a little cop. off. I've got a big rabbit in my ass. you.

2:45 You're the wasted sperm. Your dad's a My dad's a ped. I'm a pedo, you know. I'm the leader of the

2:52 name a girl. You know you're on the fender. I'm a YOU KNOW MY DAD SHAGGED YOUR My dad's a jellyfish.

3:01 You're a flabby Mama's a priest. You're a priest, you You're a wank. It's a lot. They're showing two people outside of their car. and even they are able to laugh at themselves in this movie. Again, it's a portrayal of John Davidson's life. Well, here's what happened when Michael B um and Delroy Lindo got up to present that award. I warned the listening audience. You're going to hear the N-word. It's pretty clear. We decided not to bleep it because we want you to see what the controversy is about and how this played in the room.

3:43 Uh Delero and I are delighted to be presenting the first BAFTA of the night for a vital part of movie making.

3:52 We're here to uh c OMG. Yeah. So now everyone's having a meltdown like everybody this. They're blaming the actor or they're blaming the BAFTAs. They're blaming the studios. They're blaming BBC for not editing it from the aired uh program which didn't come on the air till 2 hours later. What do you make of this?

4:14 Well, it it's very sad. One of the things I I've dealt with people with Tourette's as well. And one of the things about Tourette's is what makes it funny. What makes us laugh helplessly at it is that we have all had moments when we have kept our thoughts to ourselves. And it has the effect when Tourette's has the effect of looking like these people can't keep their thoughts to themselves. that this is what they're they're really thinking and that's

4:38 oh yeah I mean I think I have this I mean the thing is it's like looking in a mirror

4:45 the thing is it's it's not true you know it's a tick it's an actual tick but it's they do say the worst possible thing so it does come across as if they're saying what people are really thinking actually I thought the actors the actors chose to ignore it clearly shocked them you could see it in their eyes but but they chose to ignore it I thought they did the right thing and then they sort of had to apologize for doing the right thing because why didn't they stand up, you know, against this terrible, terrible word which has been turned into sort of the worst word in the world. And I just think it was just, you know, a sad thing and a little bit of this is one of those occasions when saying a little bit less might be the right thing to do. The guy has Tourette's. This is what it's like.

5:23 You know, it happened at a very embarrassing moment, but that's it's worse for him than it is for anybody else.

5:29 If you're going to have him Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, if you're going to have him at the ceremony, then you're going to have to like realize this is what happens. Andrew, I know you got to run. Thank you so much for being here and for sticking around.

5:38 Always a pleasure, Megan. It's good to see you. Oh, the pleasure is ours. Um, I want to keep this going just for one more minute, though, because I have a couple other things to tell you about it. So, it was not just accepted that this was normal Tourette's behavior. Jamie Fox, the actor, he commented below a post about the incident on social media saying unacceptable and nah, he meant that I mean, like, that's Like, do you know anything about Tourette's? Because they say people with this syndrome say the most incendiary things. It's like I don't think it's true to say we're all running around thinking these absolutely terrible things and it's only like our conscience and our non-ticking that stops us from saying them. It's almost like the syndrome. Well, it's not almost like it is that the syndrome like makes you go to the most outrageous place mentally and then burst it out. It's a nightmare. What? That's a nightmare. Um,

6:33 this guy was embarrassed. He left. Apparently, they didn't throw him out. They said they said he left voluntarily of his own accord for the second half. Um, but the Prince William and Kate were in the audience. I mean, it's like so uncomfortable, right? So it's like maybe you invite him and you give him a special backstage position where he can meet all the actors face to face in private, but you know that kind of a remark won't wind up going out on the airwaves. Here's Jamal Hill who like listen of course she takes it to an extreme but she raised black people are just supposed to be okay with being disrespected and dehumanized so that other people don't feel bad. Like what do you what do you mean? Like were they supposed to scold him? The whole movie is about this syndrome and him and how it is uncontrollable. Jamal.

7:29 Now, having said that, they did put these actors in a very uncomfortable position because it could have been black men being called the n-word, or it could have been that other, you know, as I said, the person who was um the the BAFTA chair having you shouted at her or shut the up or the directors of Bong you and like, okay, I would say that everyone there who was presenting was placed in a very difficult position. given this man's syndrome and it had I been running it I would have said we'd love to have you given the nature of what you're struggling with which we're clearly aware of as we showed in this film that we've nominated what do you think of standing backstage where you know none of the outbursts will be recorded and disrupt like the the future king and queen and the actors and you can meet people this is not the first time we've encountered Tourette's in the news over the past year or two I was saying to my

8:25 team there remember the girl Fredo Cuomo Mo interviewed her and um her name is Balin Dupri. She's a Tik Tocker and we showed this. Remember this is what Tourette's does to you.

8:37 Do things like that. I've had parents reach out to me asking me, "Oh, my son's coming home with a girlfriend and his girlfriend has Tourette's syndrome."

8:48 So, and then I also get very evil people that will comment and say like, "Go yourself, Chris. little baby up your ass. BL YOUR OWN BISCUIT, fat ass. That have told me that my parents deserve to die in a car accident because I'm faking my condition or people have told me that like I've had to have the police at my house because people gave out my location and said they were going to come torch my house. Like it's crazy.

9:18 Here's the thing. Clinically, people suck. Okay, so that's Tourette's. So anyway, it's an unfortunate situation. It it is like a shocking thing to see happen, but the absurdity of the BAFTA folks like putting everyone in this position from poor John Davidson to the actors who had to present to the prince and princess sitting there. It was an utter fail all around. Now people are resigning from the BAFTA board, I think it was, that we saw in the news today. is just yeah uh that wound up coming back to haunt everyone.

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Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Shocking Incident at BAFTAs Involving Tourette Outburst and Racism Accusations, with Andrew Klavan"?

Megyn Kelly (Guest), Andrew Klavan (Guest), John Davidson (Guest), Sarah Put (Guest), Michael B. Jordan (Guest), Delroy Lindo (Guest).

What is "Shocking Incident at BAFTAs Involving Tourette Outburst and Racism Accusations, with Andrew Klavan" about?

A discussion of the BAFTA ceremony's controversial moments, focusing on a Tourette syndrome outburst during the event and ensuing racism accusations, alongside commentary on the film I Swear and its subject John Davidson. The piece highlights on-stage outbursts, the handling of disability and race-related reactions, and broader questions about ceremony conduct and representation.

What is mentioned in this Megyn Kelly episode?

14 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Tourette's syndrome, BAFTAs, Pete Davidson, I Swear, Delroy Lindo, Michael B. Jordan. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Shocking Incident at BAFTAs Involving Tourette Outburst and Racism Accusations, with Andrew Klavan"?

The episode runs 11 min; the transcript is about 1,952 words in 25 timestamped sections.

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