Legendary actor Michael Douglas plays the role of one of the Founding Fathers of the USA Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV+ docuseries Franklin. The show reportedly shows the legend’s time in France on a diplomatic mission to convince King Louis XVI to support the American Revolutionary War. The show also features Noah Jupe.
Douglas reportedly came under fire from critics when the show premiered as he had decided to depict a disgusting habit of Benjamin Franklin. In the opening episode, Douglas reportedly shows him farting, which drew the ire of many critics. However, the actor had his proofs ready and reportedly sent a book by Franklin about his habit to the critics.
Michael Douglas Goes To War With Critics About Benjamin Franklin’s Habit
Actor Michael Douglas is known for his dramatic roles in films such as Wall Street, for which he won the Oscar for Best Actor. He has also been a part of adventure films such as Romancing The Stone, and he has worked on thrillers such as Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction.
Douglas is now starring in Apple TV+ docuseries Franklin, which is based on the book A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America by Stacy Schiff. The actor starred in the titular role of Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the USA. The show reportedly follows his time in France as he sought their help in the American War of Independence against the British.
While Douglas’ performance was lauded, critics reportedly were up in arms about his decision to show Franklin farting on camera. However, the Wonder Boys star reportedly expected the response and already had the proof ready in his arsenal. While appearing on The Jess Cagle Show, he said,
“That was my addition to the script was actually, because I read this book. I mean, we did get a couple of criticisms of this show about, ‘Ugh, they try to show him farting,’ and I said, ‘Well,’ so I’m sending him this. I’m sending people these critics who brought this up to send him this book on Franklin. This is ‘Fart Proudly,’ okay? So, he learned about this, and he was very proud. He wrote a whole book about it.”
Douglas said that including the scene was actually his own suggestion and that he got the idea from Benjamin Franklin’s essay ‘Fart Proudly’ which was reportedly written as a satire to the Royal Academy. Franklin had allegedly written the letter in response to a call for scientific papers (via Vox).
Why Did Benjamin Franklin Write An Essay About Flatulence?
While critics reportedly took issue with Michael Douglas passing gas as Benjamin Franklin in the docuseries Franklin, the legendary Founding Father reportedly had many opinions on the matter. He had reportedly written an essay titled ‘Fart Proudly’, which he had intended to send to the Royal Academy. According to Vox, Franklin was annoyed with impractical questions being raised by the scientific academy in France and hence wrote it in jest.
In his essay, he reportedly suggested that the scientific community try to find a way to reduce the bad odor of flatulence as it hindered people from letting loose. He wrote,
“Were it not for the odiously offensive Smell accompanying such Escapes, polite People would probably be under no more Restraint in discharging such Wind in Company, than they are in spitting, or in blowing their Noses. My Prize Question therefore should be, To discover some Drug wholesome & not disagreeable, to be mix’d with our common Food, or Sauces, that shall render the natural Discharges of Wind from our Bodies, not only inoffensive, but agreeable as Perfumes.”
Franklin reportedly gave suggestions on what kind of flavors to include should the experiment turn out to be successful. He also reportedly ended the essay with a pun (via Teaching American History).
