Mike Sholars
Features and Opinions Editor
The Student Centre decided to terminate Shirley, a well-known Toronto entertainment personality, as host of Dirty Bingo at the Underground Oct. 26.
According to Scott Jarvis, the Student Centre’s executive director, Shirley made a joke at the expense of a first-year female student in regards
to a Halloween costume she was wearing to the Underground’s October Dirty Bingo night.
“Her contract will be terminated, and she will no longer be hosting Dirty Bingo at the Student Centre,” said Jarvis. “During her act, she exploited power dynamics and made comments reflective on this woman’s sexuality.”
Shirley usually runs the Dirty Bingo on the last Tuesday of every month during the school year.
Posters advertising the free Halloween-themed event warned attendees they could be subject to obscene or offensive content.
Shirley has declined to comment on the matter to Excalibur at the moment.
This is not the first time Shirley has been removed as the host of Dirty Bingo. She was removed from the position in late October 2008 after several students complained about Dirty Bingo being inappropriate.
With files from Yuni Kim
Dirty Bingo controversy leads to host’s firing
About the Author
I am a third year student at York and have been to Shirley’s Dirty Bingo many times. I can’t believe that once again, Shirley has been tossed out the door.
I’m surprised she even came back a second time after the first insult when the school sent her packing because some people thought dirty bingo was inappropriate. It’s called Dirty Bingo for a reason warning “attendees could be subject to obscene or offensive content”. DON’T COME if you think you might be offended, simple. The school obviously thought her routine to be appropriate enough to hire her back but then again it was probably the big money draw that made them think otherwise.
Shirley’s being removed a second time because one first year student’s feelings were hurt. To say that Shirley “exploited power dynamics and made comment reflective on this woman’s sexuality” is ludicrous! I was there. The person in question was dressed as a provocative woman with wings. Shirley zeroed in on her and made a comment, not unlike the many comments she threw around at others during the night and as she has done in the past. This person obviously wasn’t offended by her actions when she accepted the prize that Shirley gave her for being a good sport. She also sat down and played four rounds of bingo before a woman (her mother?) came in and started to disrupt Shirley’s act. If she was that offended, why didn’t she storm out of the place right after she felt she was offended? Why did she accept the prize if she felt so offended
As mentioned, there were posters everywhere advertising that attendees could be subject to obscene or offensive content. Assuming this person read the warning because she knew where the bingo was being held, why did she come if she is so easily offended? During the four rounds of bingo, Shirley did her thing as usual and many insults were flying around all in good fun with everyone laughing and enjoying themselves.
I will not be attending any other bingo or dirty bingo’s the school has unless Shirley is the emcee. I will not be going to The Underground any longer either. I’m sure the dismissal of Shirley will result in a major loss of revenue for The Underground as well just like it did two years ago when Shirley was dismissed. Will the school rehire her once they realize what a cash cow she was? Will Shirley come back? Will the person in question who caused all this to happen, be ridiculed because many of us saw and know who she is. I hope not, I really do. I think that one person, who felt insulted but still sat there and played the game, wasn’t as offended as lead to believe. I think some people jumped the gun and resulted in Shirley’s firing. I think this was a big mistake and I’m sure the person in question is regretting their decision to complain. Maybe it was their mother who came that was insulted more so than the student. Did you not see what your daughter was wearing?
We want Shirley’s Dirty Bingo back.
There is no replacement. I’m sure you’ll notice a major decrease in sales in The Underground because of this injustice. Bring
Shirley back!! That’s if she’ll take us back…
I have been attending dirty bingo at a variety of locations for the past four years. Through the use of power dynamics I have regularly had my sexuality, my sexual capabilities, and the dimensions of my anatomy questioned, over a PA, for a room full of people to laugh at. Not once have I felt the need to call my mother, or complain. Rather, I enjoy the ribbing and fairly vulgar humour Shirley employs. As do the rest of the crowd, all of whom come out, not becuase they enjoy playing bingo, but because they feel that taking part in dirty bingo is akin to attending a comedy show. If they were simply interested in playing bingo, there are a number of halls, churches and legions that could fulfil that need. But people come out to dirty bingo, spending money both to support a charity and also bolster the sales of the drinking establishment where it is being hosted, expecting to be shocked. Expecting to laugh at some truly base humour. And to enjoy being made fun of, and hearing others be made fun of. Perhaps this girl was upset or disgusted, but it was up to her to leave. But to complain to the school? That’s silly. Nearly as bad as the school entertaining her complaint, and having the audacity of terminating Shriley’s contract. I can hardly imagine Scott Jarvis was unaware of the content of Shirley’s show when he offered her the contract. I suspect he is only bowing to the pressure of an angry parent and student as it’s easier then explaining that nobody made the girl in question attend, nor receive a prize, nor stay. To be honest, I’m not even remotely surprised by his actions, and I won’t be surprised when the Underground comes calling saying they need Shirley back, as they have taken a monthly hit on their profits. And I won’t be surprised when Jarvis flip-flops and offers to have Shirley back. I will be surprised if she accepts; Lord knows there are other schools and bars who would do more to protect their talent, rather then hang them out to dry.
I am a York Alumnus, and I have been to Shirley’s Dirty Bingo a few times in different places around Toronto. The shows are widely known to be offensive in nature, and there are fair warnings given to every single participant before they step foot in the room. Her website also features warnings that the show is rated NC-17, and is not for the faint of heart.
The student chose to ignore these warnings, and the mother too. Even the name gives it away: “dirty”. Hello, anybody home? I think the student’s complaint is ridiculous. If the student wanted a kinder, gentler Bingo experience, go to Delta Bingo.
Shame on Scott Jarvis for terminating her contract over something this stupid.
I’ve never met Scott Jarvis but he doesn’t seem like a very nice person. Has he ever been to an event at York? Does he not know that warnings are posted
I agree with Nick… shame on Scott Jarvis… sounds like he may need a career change… not much a people person.
D.H.
2 Words: “Dirty” and “Bingo”. What don’t you get when you step into this event? Signage or not, the title says it all. And since when are Universities suddenly politically correct? If they were, frosh weeks would have changed ages ago. This is harmless fun that pokes fun at everyone and creates awareness of fun, sexuality and camaraderie. I think those who complain should think twice about the events they choose to go to, because after all this has mature themes to it as stated on posters, therefore a certain maturity is required. because guess what, YOU’RE IN UNIVERSITY!!! You’re not an adult. Start thinking and acting like one.
Shirley does amazing work for charities and society. I think this action reflects poorly on York and those who run it.