Jane Fonda is fighting back.
Shortly after she claims QVC made the decision to cancel her on-air appearance Saturday due to threatened boycotts, Fonda took to her blog to blast the home-shopping network.
What's all this about? Read on...
The Monster-in-Law star, who was to appear on QVC to introduce her book on aging, Prime Time, said she was removed from the line-up when viewers threatened to boycott if she showed up on air.
"The network said they got a lot of calls yesterday criticizing me for my opposition to the Vietnam War and threatening to boycott the show if I was allowed to appear. I am, to say the least, deeply disappointed that QVC caved to this kind of insane pressure by some well funded and organized political extremist groups. And that they did it without talking to me first," Fonda wrote on her blog. "I have never shied away from talking about this as I have nothing to hide. I could have pointed out that threats of boycotts are nothing new for me and have never prevented me from having best selling books and exercise DVDs, films, and a Broadway play."
And that wasn't all.
"Bottom line, this has gone on far too long, this spreading of lies about me! None of it is true. NONE OF IT! I love my country. I have never done anything to hurt my country or the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for us. do not understand what the far right stands to gain by continuing with these myths. In this case, they denied a lot of people the chance to hear about a book that can help make life better, easier and more fulfilling," Fonda went on.
This isn't the first time Fonda has stirred up controversy regarding the Vietnam War.
In 1972 during the height of Vietnam war, the anti-war activist traveled to North Vietnam to meet with American POWs, and while there posed for a picture on an enemy antiaircraft gun, which earned her the nickname "Hanoi Jane." Although she later apologized, the incident continues to rankle many, including a veteran who spit tobacco in her face at a book signing for her autobiography, My Life So Far, in 2005.
"I consider it a debt of honor," he told the Kansas City Star at the time. "She spit in our faces for 37 years. It was absolutely worth it. There are a lot of veterans who would love to do what I did."
Nevertheless, the actress andl fitness guru said she has received support from fans since the QVC-snubbing incident occurred.
"I am deeply grateful for all of the support I have been getting since this happened, including from my Vietnam Veterans friends," Fonda added.
The QVC confirmed the scheduling change with a statement of its own.
"Jane Fonda was scheduled to appear on QVC today, Sat. July 16. Due to a programming change, she did not appear in the 10 a.m. show as scheduled. QVC is live 24 hours a day and welcomes more than 22,000 guests a year. It's not unusual to have a schedule change with our shows and guests with little or no notice," said Paul Capelli, QVC's vice-president of corporate communications.
"I can't speak to Ms. Fonda's comments, other than to confirm that a change in scheduling resulted in her not appearing today."