White Lotus went too far by featuring Duke…
Duke University mentioned “The White Lotus,” the hit collection on HBO, went “too far” with how its iconic royal-blue emblem was featured in a latest episode, based on Bloomberg.
The college issued a assertion and mentioned that the show makes use of their emblem with out permission in “troubling” imagery, which has since unfold throughout social media and paints their model in a detrimental gentle.
Duke was referring to episode 5 of “The White Lotus,” launched on March 16, that confirmed (spoilers forward) Timothy Ratliff, performed by actor Jason Isaac, considering suicide whereas sporting a t-shirt with the Duke lettering on it.
A now-viral meme of Ratliff, whose character at nighttime comedy is a proud Duke alumni, holding a gun to his temple is getting used to put added strain on Duke because the Blue Devils’ males’s and girls’s basketball groups are about to play within the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament this week.
“White Lotus just blessed us w an all-time meme if Duke loses early in the tournament (and for any brutal Duke loss thereafter),” somebody wrote, together with the meme, on X.
Duke Blue Devils ahead Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after scoring a 3 pointer during the primary half towards the Baylor Bears within the second spherical of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center on March 23, 2025. Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
“My cousin who is a die hard Tar Heel fan is specifically waiting to use this at some point this tournament,” one other added, referring to Duke’s principal rival, North Carolina.
The No. 1 seeded Duke males’s crew will face Arizona, the fourth seed, on Thursday evening.
The ladies, a No. 2 seed, tackle the rival North Carolina Tar Heels, the No. 3 seed, on Friday.
Tyrese Proctor #5 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates after making a shot within the second half towards the Baylor Bears within the second spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lenovo Center on March 23, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Getty Images
Duke’s Cooper Flagg #2 dribbles the ball whereas being guarded by Baylor’s Norchad Omier #15 within the second spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lenovo Center on March 23, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Getty Images
“The White Lotus not only uses our brand without permission, but in our view uses it on imagery that is troubling, does not reflect our values or who we are, and simply goes too far,” Frank Tramble, Duke’s vice president for communications, advertising and public affairs, mentioned as half of a assertion.
“Suicide is the second-leading cause of death on college campuses. As imagery from the show is being shared widely across social media, we are using our brand to promote mental health awareness and remind people that help is available.”
In the show’s third season, which takes place at a luxurious resort in Thailand the place the household is vacationing, Ratliff contemplates suicide as a result of he’s implicated in a money-laundering scheme and is being investigated by the FBI.
“Duke appreciates artistic expression and creative storytelling, but characters prominently wearing apparel bearing Duke’s federally registered trademarks creates confusion and mistakenly suggests an endorsement or affiliation where none exists,” Tramble mentioned.
Bloomberg didn’t disclose if Duke had taken motion towards Warner Bros., which owns HBO.
Ratliff’s spouse, Victoria Ratliff (performed by actress Parker Posey), is an overly proud North Carolina alumna and their son Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) is a latest Duke graduate. Their daughter (Sarah Catherine Hook) attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“The White Lotus” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO.
We offer you the trending topics. Get the best newest Entertainment information and content material on our web site each day.
