Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons of Kiss banned for life from Fox News

Gene Simmons of Kiss has been a a regular guest on everybody’s favorite right wing propaganda machine Fox News, but that’s coming to an end. As first reported by The Daily Beast and confirmed by Buzzfeed and The Hill, Simmons is no longer allowed to visit any Fox properties after an outburst he had behind the scenes that devolved into crude comments, jokes about pedophilia, and Simmons baring his chest and “bopping” employees on the head with copies of his new book, On Power.

Earlier while on air, Simmons was asked his opinion on Harvey Weinstein while sitting on a panel with Maria Bartiromo of Mornings with Maria. He answered:

“The lunatics have taken over the insane asylum when respected business entities such as yourself ask guys that like to stick their tongues out,” Simmons answered, “what I think of Harvey Weinstein.”

“Okay, I’m a powerful and attractive man, and what I’m about to say is deadly serious,” he continued. “Men are jackasses. From the time we’re young we have testosterone. I’m not validating it or defending it.”

Afterwards, according to The Daily Beast, Simmons, while heading to an interview with Fox News’ entertainment section, walked in on a staff meeting, where his behavior allegedly worsened:

“Hey chicks, sue me!” he shouted, and then pulled open his red velvet shirt to reveal his chest and belly, according to the source. Then he starting telling Michael Jackson pedophilia jokes, and then bopped two employees on the head with his book, making derisive comments about their comparative intelligence according to the sound their heads made when struck.

“It was pretty severe,” the source said.

Buzzfeed says they talked to source who told them that “Simmons also asked an employee, who is black, if he was Al Roker.”

The incidents were said to be reported to a supervisor and human resources executive and Simmons is now banned from the building, with his photo and a “do-not-admit” advisory posted at Fox News’ Manhattan headquarters, according to The Daily Beast, where you can read more on the story.

Simmons also managed to have a basically inoffensive bit during his visit, where he takes on the roll of weather reporter with serious enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, unsurprisingly to those who follow the rocker’s career, Simmons’ book is filled with fun stuff like the idea that sexuality is the path to power for women. Speaking to The New York Post about the book, he said:

“Women have a choice. They can dress in potato sacks, [but] as soon as they pretty themselves up with lipstick, lift and separate them and point them in our general direction, they’re gonna get a response. Guys are jackasses — we will buy them mansions and houses . . . all because of sex.”

And, ladies, if you’re thinking of being a working mom, think again. “Get over your biological urges,” Simmons said. “It’s natural to want to have kids, but, sorry, you can’t have it both ways. You have to commit to either career or family. It’s very difficult to have both.”

MSN reports that Simmon stands by the comments he made to the Post, saying on TODAY, “Here’s the reality. I am aware of the rules. I didn’t create them, so you can try this yourself. I’m not saying life is fair. What I’m saying is the male of the species is visually stimulated. That’s life, and so you have power, the power of being a female, and you can access that power to make more money.”

He has not responded to a request for comment about his ban from Fox News, though his Twitter has been very active this morning promoting things like the fact that KISS was just announced as a headliner at next year’s Barcelona Rock Fest (Juy 5-7 in Spain with Ozzy, Judas Priest, Dimmu Borgir and more), and this quote from a new Sirius XM Canada interview