Hey hey it's saturday [on wednesday]

coolngroovy · 10-08-2009, 05:29 PM

G'day all,
Incase you haven't heard, last wednesday there was a show aired on tv in this country called 'Hey hey it's saturday'.
This show was a reunion, as it hasn't been on air for many years. Most of the content was dragged up from the past, along with all the characters.

On one segment there is a [no]talent contest. The contestants go through their acts, & are judged by a panel of 3 judges.

One such act featured 5 performers with painted faces, doing a skit on Michael Jackson. Apparently this has caused a HUGE controversy in the US.

I know the line between controversy & comedy is a fine one, & 'comedy' is a matter of interpretation, but can my US cousins please enlighten me on what the offensive part was? Is it really a racist slur, or a storm in a tea cup?

I dont wish to turn this into a racial debate, i simply wish to understand the issue.

BTW: the same act, with the same performers, actually won the prize when they were featured 20years ago on the same program.

legion · 10-08-2009, 05:38 PM

There are certain groups in the U.S. that believe themselves to be above reproach, and as such, are offended when anyone makes fun of them in any way, shape, or form.

I believe you have discovered one such group.

dan88911 · 10-08-2009, 11:00 PM

There is an old saying about having not walked in someone else shoes. We all don't grow up and have the same life experiences and view things the same.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

"painted faces" is the key

try a wiki or Google search on white-face & black-face

jyl · jyl's Garage

I wouldn't call it a huge controversy. I've not heard of the incident, despite being a pretty avid newsreader. A google search turns up a few references but not a lot.

Anyway, white men in blackface paint parodying Negros is going to be a sensitive point here, among black people at least. Due to the history of that form of entertainment. Americans who aren't black and/or don't know the history probably don't care.

Mo_Gearhead · 10-09-2009, 06:19 AM

I REALLY miss those white guys in those 1950's cowboy movies
...painted up as REDSKINS!

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

DARISC · 10-09-2009, 10:34 AM

The Gaijin · 10-09-2009, 10:51 AM

"Blackface" as done by both white performers and black ones (in parody) is now considered beyond the bounds of good taste and what is socially acceptable. Political correctness run amok or an unwelcome reminder of the bad old days is beyond the ability of this board to figure out. (Me included.)

However, when most of us are really old - some daring young comic is going to mine this vein of popular culture and become famous. Just not yet.

Not to change the topic in off-topic, but an old friend mentioned an interesting aside.

He said there has never, ever been a black person in a Woody Allen film. Is that for real? I have seen a bunch of these films, and cannot remember a single black character, must less in a supporting role.

MBAtarga · 10-09-2009, 11:58 AM

Colin Salmon was in Match Point (2005) - Directed by Woody Allen
Colin Salmon

coolngroovy · 10-09-2009, 04:33 PM

Thankyou for the replies.
I'm more offended by the controversy than i am of the crime!

The media really wound this thing up. Going by their reports, it sounded like all Americans wanted to lynch us!
It's a crazy world!

dan88911 · 10-10-2009, 12:13 AM

I am curious do you all openly make fun of aboriginals with racist caricatures and stuff of that nature in Aussie land?

coolngroovy · 10-11-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

I am curious do you all openly make fun of aboriginals with racist caricatures and stuff of that nature in Aussie land

I would be lying if i said it had never happened. But that would be true of all cultures.

Is it even possible to sneeze these days without offending someone? Sheesh!

Thankyou for the enlightenment.....i think this thread has run its course.