U.K. broadcaster ITV has decided not to bring back its comedy dating program Dapper Laughs: On the Pull for a second season, following criticism and a petition signed by about 60,000 people calling on ITV CEO Adam Crozier to drop the show.
Dapper Laughs: On the Pull, which features Internet video star Daniel O’Reilly giving guys advice on how to attract girls, was ordered in the summer as a six-part series for youth network ITV2. But the program, which saw the host encourage men to show women their penis, was described in the petition as having given the host “massive exposure,” thereby “normalizing everyday sexism.”
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Signed by several U.K. comedians, it added: “O’Reilly’s work frequently depicts real-life harassment of women, and in his new show, he offers dating tips to members of the public inspired by his misogynistic views, all under the guise of harmless comedy.” Footage also recently emerged of a live gig in which O’Reilly made jokes about rape.
An ITV spokesman confirmed that the series would not be recommissioned, saying: “We have given careful thought to the recent criticism of Dapper Laughs, which has focused on [O’Reilly’s] activities outside of the ITV2 program, whose content was carefully considered and complied. We have taken the decision that we will not be considering this show for a second [season].”
