In a recent twist of events, Duke University found itself at the center of a controversy stemming from a popular TV show. The third season of “The White Lotus” featured actor Jason Isaacs wearing a Duke University T-shirt during a murder-suicide dream sequence. This seemingly innocent detail led to an unexpected clash between the university and the show’s creators.
Duke University’s VP of communications, marketing, and public affairs, Frank Tramble, expressed the university’s discontent with the unauthorized use of their logo in a statement to The New York Times. According to Tramble, the imagery depicted in the show did not align with Duke’s values and went too far in its portrayal.
In a cheeky response to Duke’s protest, Jason Isaacs decided to have a little fun at the university’s expense. At “The White Lotus” Season 3 finale event, Isaacs showed up wearing a Duke shirt, seemingly poking fun at the situation. In an interview on the Prestige Junkie podcast, Isaacs revealed that he bought the T-shirt out of necessity after his flight was canceled and his bags were taken away, but also admitted to wanting to stir up some mischief with his wardrobe choice.
Despite Duke University’s concerns, Isaacs found the whole situation amusing and downplayed the controversy surrounding the use of the Duke logo in the show. He joked about the university wanting to go viral and suggested that their reaction was exaggerated. Isaacs even took a dig at Duke’s alumni, referring to them as a “rogue’s gallery” and implying that the notion of a TV show causing them trouble was far-fetched.
Overall, the playful back-and-forth between Jason Isaacs and Duke University added an unexpected layer of entertainment to the situation. While the use of the Duke logo in “The White Lotus” may have sparked controversy, Isaacs’ lighthearted response served to diffuse tensions and inject a bit of humor into the situation. It goes to show that sometimes a little mischief can go a long way in turning a potential conflict into a playful exchange.
