6:06 pm PST 1/3/2021
in
Kimberly Nordyke
Roderick came to attention on Twitter after sharing a story about how his 9-year-old daughter learned to use a can opener – prompting others to accuse him of “child abuse” and to dig up what they call racist, anti -semitic and homophobic tweets.
Ken Jennings is defending his podcast co-host, John Roderick, after a controversy that saw the latter being labeled “Bean Dad”. This, in turn, has led some social media users to accuse Roderick of “child abuse” and to dig up old tweets that they accused of racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic.
Jennings and Roderick co-present the podcast Bus, which is described as “an encyclopedic reference work of strange but true stories, which they are compiling as a time capsule for future generations”.
Over the weekend, Roderick shared a long story on Twitter about teaching his 9-year-old daughter to use a can opener.
The main point was that she was hungry, so he told her to make some baked beans. He was incredulous to learn that she did not know how to open the can and decided that this was an opportunity for a “Teaching Moment”. After six hours, which included “tears” and her daughter “faints[ing] in a frustrated pile “- her words – she found out.
What caught the attention of many on Twitter was the fact that he told her they wouldn’t eat until she figured out how to use the can opener. “Honey, none of us are going to eat anything today until we get into this can of beans,” he tweeted about what he told her. Many criticized his parenting style for refusing to feed or help her, some accusing him of “child abuse”.
Initially, Roderick defended himself. He changed his Twitter biography to “Bean Dad since 2021” and answered with a series of tweets.
“Somehow, my story about teaching my daughter to figure out how to use a can opener and overcome her frustration has been transferred to a version of Twitter where I’m being accused of child abuse. It’s surprising. My son is fine, everyone” , he wrote.
In another tweet, he added; “The best part of being evaluated by these concerned parent trolls is that they continue to insist on how to deprive my child of baked beans for SIX HOURS is child abuse. Six hours is the break between meals. Lunch at noon, dinner at six. They are literally saying CHILD ABUSE. “
Jennings – the author and Danger! champion who was chosen to serve as an intern presenter on the game show after the death of longtime presenter Alex Trebek, who died in November after a battle with pancreatic cancer – on Sunday defended Roderick amid criticism of his parenting style.
“If it reassures anyone, I personally know that John is (a) a loving and caring father who (b) tells intense stories to the effect on his own irascibility at about ten podcasts a week. This site is so stupid,” he wrote, referring to Twitter.
However, the controversy did not stop there. Those people who were upset about their initial discussion started digging into their previous tweets.
He tried to make a “witty” post about not feeding his son until she figured out how to use a can opener and he opened a close examination on his timeline and now he deleted his account and the stans were eliminated, allowing for his toxicity.
– ManiacalV (ColinT) (@ManiacalV) January 3, 2021
These tweets, captured on screenshots and on the Wayback Machine website, included Roderick defending the use of racist and homophobic slanders. Many also included anti-Semitic sentiments and several referred to Hitler. Roderick has deleted his account since the controversy began.
When asked about Roderick’s “weird anti-Semitic shit” on Twitter, Jennings replied that Roderick is “always pro-Israel” in his podcast and added, “There is no axis where any anti-Semitic screenshot represents any real opinion. . I’ve heard of him. “
The Hollywood Reporter contacted Jennings for further comments.
Roderick is also a co-host of podcasts Roderick on the Line, Road Work and Fire friend.
In addition, he is the lead singer and guitarist for the indie rock band The Long Winters.
Bus is a podcast produced independently.