TMZ Drinks the "Shawn Johnson" Haterade

76. i JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I DO NOT THINK THE COMPARISON FOR SHAWN JOHNSON IS DISRESPECTFUL. IT WAS A JOKE PEOPLE! GROW UP AND STOP PUTTING TMZ DOWN! TMZ DIDN'T EVEN THINK OF THE IDEA, A VIEWER DID. IT'S PRETTY FUN, YES SHE'S 16 BUT WHO CARES. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU COMPARED A KID TO SOME CARTOON CHARACTER? I'M SURE MORE THEN ONCE. I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT BECAUSE I THINK IT IS REALLY MESSED UP EVERYONE IS GOING OFF ABOUT THIS AND IT'S A DAMN JOKE PEOPLE. WE KNOW SHE WON A MEDAL THE COUNTRY SUPPORTS HER BUT WHERE'S YOUR HUMOR?

Posted at 5:13PM on Aug 21st 2008 by b

77. All the people that responded with hate letters need to relax. It was a JOKE, as many things TMZ posts is meant in fun. Either don't read it if you cannot take a joke or realize it has no intention of hurting someone's feelings. Seriously spend your time helping your neighbors, bettering your life or doing some good for all of mankind. Not wasting your time ranting about a JOKE.

p.s maybe just get a life would work too

Posted at 5:18PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Kim

78. Thanks for taking down the nasty bit about Shawn Johnson. We're still waiting for an apology. Just admit that it was rude and unnecessary and show that you have a shred of decency.

Posted at 5:17PM on Aug 21st 2008 by jude

79. She does like a mouse I don't see why people get all hurt over it. TMZ just said what a lot of people were already thinking.

Posted at 5:17PM on Aug 21st 2008 by JOhn

80. LMAO i thought it was funnier than h3ll...she's sixteen and pint-sized: she's dealt with, and probably been called, much worse. people need to chill and take that stick out of....well, you know where i was heading :-P

Posted at 10:58PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Cassandra

81. Wow! Why do people get so pissed off because some girl looks like a rat?! Who friggin cares! TMZ can write whatever they want because its called freedom of speech. I totally support TMZ and I will continue to check their website numerous times a day. There are a lot of stupid people in this country who really need to learn how to shut the f*** up! No one gives a sh** what you think! Let TMZ make fun of whoever they want! To all the stupid people of America writing those stupid hate mail messages to TMZ, all I have to say is you need to get a friggin life!!!! P.S. That olympian girl is ugly anyway. She's fair game.

Posted at 5:18PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Heidi

82. That's your idea of an apology? Usually an apoplgy contains the word "sorry". You people can't even get that right. You suck.

Posted at 5:44PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Lisa

83. Your comparison was funny. Don't you dare take it down.

Posted at 5:18PM on Aug 21st 2008 by AMS

84. Tick tock TMZ... where's the apology?

I'll start making a list of your advertisers and if you don't have an apology in one hour I will post the list (along with corporate contact info for each) and let the readers determine if they want to boycott them or not.

Who's with me on this?!?!?

Posted at 5:23PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Joshua Smith

85. So what you are saying, from reading the first e-mail that started it all....."If someone told you to jump off a cliff, you would do it?"
I'm just saying!

Posted at 5:22PM on Aug 21st 2008 by Lori

86. I bet most of the emails were from people who are overweight and eat like rats.

Just sayin'....

Posted at 5:22PM on Aug 21st 2008 by CoolGirl2008

87. not a big deal guys. you are all trip outs

Posted at 5:22PM on Aug 21st 2008 by devan

88. Topo Gigio is one of the cutest and most beloved characters of all time. Shawn is a talented athlete with a bright and positive attitude. Why would anyone be offended by such a comparison?

Posted at 5:31PM on Aug 21st 2008 by RDP

89. Not very complimentary. I said she looks like a bunny-rabbit. (maybe the energizer bunny?) She does have an overbite, and pulls her top lip down over mouth often. It's funny!

Posted at 5:29PM on Aug 21st 2008 by anyone

90. I cannot believe all you people who defend TMZ and still thought it was ok to do. The bottom line is that Shawn Johnson is a kid, adults who have to get thier kicks off at the expense of kids are pathetic , should have your heads examined and take a long look in the mirror and see how you would have liked this done to you or your own kids. The problem was TMZ said "Shawn Johnson You Little Rat." not Shawn Johnson Your Cute Little Mouse or even Shawn Johnson You Cute Little Rat. They just called her a rat and that is why people are upset. Some may not think that what she has done is important, but she is an example not only to kids, but adults as well that hard work and dedication can let you achieve whatever you want ,which is the American dream. She will achieve more than any of your morons who thought this was funny will ever do. Just because she is a public figure does not make it ok to make fun of her because as I said she is still a child and I thought children were to be protected not exploited for your sick amusement. TMZ you may have removed the piece, but the piece you put in it's place is no apology and just as bad because you still posted the protest e-mails to let this continue on. You should have just removed it and let it alone, but no you had to post what you did so that you can still draw attention to it. In esence, it's no different than if you left the original up.

Posted at 5:25PM on Aug 21st 2008 by jcdinpa