Not sure if shows lack of humor so much as lack of judgment *NM*
random thoughts Send a noteboard - 09/10/2009 02:44:57 PM
I'm not trying to be provocative here, I'm just wondering what your opinions are. Also, I'm not sure how much this has been covered, so I'm going to outline the whole story.
In Australia, one of the more popular shows in the 80s and 90s was a variety show called Hey Hey It's Saturday. The show was cancelled in 1999, but brought back for two reunion specials this year (on a Wednesday for some reason).
One of the segments on this show is called "Red Faces", where various acts perform on stage and are marked by a panel of celebrities. Last episode, one of the skits was called "Jackson Jive", which consisted of 6 doctors, 5 painting their faces black and one painting it white and imitating the Jackson 5. One of the guest judges, Harry Connick Jr. took offence to this act, saying it made him feel uncomfortable, and it wouldn't be allowed to happen in the States.
The 6 performers were on because they performed the same act 20 years ago.
Since the show aired, there have been a lot of people describing the skit as racist, and others saying that people are too sensitive and we're losing our collective sense of humour.
My question is, do you think painting your face black and imitating the Jackson 5 is racist?
In Australia, one of the more popular shows in the 80s and 90s was a variety show called Hey Hey It's Saturday. The show was cancelled in 1999, but brought back for two reunion specials this year (on a Wednesday for some reason).
One of the segments on this show is called "Red Faces", where various acts perform on stage and are marked by a panel of celebrities. Last episode, one of the skits was called "Jackson Jive", which consisted of 6 doctors, 5 painting their faces black and one painting it white and imitating the Jackson 5. One of the guest judges, Harry Connick Jr. took offence to this act, saying it made him feel uncomfortable, and it wouldn't be allowed to happen in the States.
The 6 performers were on because they performed the same act 20 years ago.
Since the show aired, there have been a lot of people describing the skit as racist, and others saying that people are too sensitive and we're losing our collective sense of humour.
My question is, do you think painting your face black and imitating the Jackson 5 is racist?
Is this racist, or are people losing their sense of humour?
09/10/2009 01:36:26 AM
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While it is possible that it was not done with racist intent....
09/10/2009 01:51:28 AM
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I don't think it was racist but I do think it was inappropriate.
09/10/2009 02:10:35 AM
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The whole point was the skit was performed 20 years ago with the same people
09/10/2009 02:15:53 AM
- 378 Views
What might have been appropriate 20 years ago may not be today. The world has changed. *NM*
09/10/2009 03:42:35 AM
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It would be in America, or if they were Americans. But that's a different historical context.
09/10/2009 03:49:14 AM
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Poor taste regardless. But it wasn't funny either. Boring waste of time. *NM*
09/10/2009 04:44:05 AM
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Not sure if shows lack of humor so much as lack of judgment *NM*
09/10/2009 02:44:57 PM
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I think too many people don't know what "racist" actually means. *NM*
09/10/2009 05:40:54 PM
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You have to understand the legacy of the American "minstrel shows. "
09/10/2009 11:13:25 PM
- 426 Views
Considering that some of the people doing the skit were of Indian (country not native american)....
12/10/2009 03:00:40 AM
- 358 Views