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Harry Connick Jr. Offended By Racially Insensitive Australian TV Skit
Filed under: Wacky, Tacky & True > Australiastic > Michael JacksonWhile appearing on a reunion special of Australian TV show Hey Hey It's Saturday, Harry Connick Jr. became offended by a skit of men performing in blackface (above).
The skit, which was a parody of the Jackson 5, called themselves the Jackson Jive, which was performed 20 years earlier on the show.
Harry, who was judging the performance, gave them a score of 0 out of 10.
Later, the shows host Daryl Somers could tell that the singer was offended and apologized. After the apology Connick, Jr. said:
“Thanks Daryl, and I just wanted to say on behalf of my country, I know it was done humorously, but we’ve spent so much time trying to not make black people look like buffoons, that when we see something like that, we take it really to heart. I know it was in good fun, and the last thing I want to do is take this show to a down level – because you know how much I love this show and this country – but I feel like I’m at home here, and if I knew that was going to be part of the show, I probably – I definitely wouldn’t have done it. Thank you for the opportunity, I’ve got to give it up because [I spoke to] Daryl at the break, and he said ‘Man, you need to speak up as an American – not as a white American or a black American, but as an American’. [I felt] I needed to say that, so thanks for giving me the opportunity, I appreciate it. You’re a good man for letting me do that.”
The skit was distasteful, tacky and too soon to be doing that kind of Jackson 5 "tribute".
it really forever surprises me how "offended" people are everytime something like this happens. I always try to not feel offended by anything because it shows personal weakness. like insecurity. i want to say fuck it, im confident enough to take any joke, cant get to me. isnt it better to be like that?
You did good Harry… You did good!
I find it quietly amusing that there is such outrage over this whole thing about being all offended, yet a couple of stories after this one there you are Perez, quite happily promoting an episode of South Park taking the piss out of a few people who have died recently. Including MJ. Oh wait, they ain't doing blackface in a country that doesn't follow *your* history. Robert Downey Jr playing an Australian doing blackface… that was ok, it was comedy! No cries of outrage and racism there. But *real* australians doing an act they did 20 years ago? OMG so racist! I guarantee you that act was not done in order to be racist, just ridiculous. That segment is not about promoting talent, quite the opposite.
Every country has racists, even, no, *especially* your precious patch of soil. You are the most intolerant bunch of bastards that exist. What worries most Australians, especially lately with all the yank inspired patriotism is that we're all gonna end up like you lot.
poppykock1 you're an idiot and any one else who says this is okay. I wonder if a skit about Holocaust victims or catholic priest raping little boy or a skinhead beating the crap out of a homosexual would you then look at that as comedy as well? Seriously "black face" was used to degrade the black community. Get a f**king clue.
Big ups to Harry.
I think the main thing all the "grow up with your stupid PC b.s." people are missing is the fact that this was supposed to be a COMEDY skit. The racism wouldn't be so blatantly bad if they didn't rely on the racism AS the joke. There is no writing here, there is nothing clever or praiseworthy…"the jackson jive"?! are you fricking kidding me…that would have been tasteless in the seventies, where it seems these aussies are stuck. It's a bunch of guys in blackface with afros on doing ridiculous dances, is that funny to australian people? if so..why? why is that funny? Apparently the humor is supposed to stem from the fact that it's WHITE guys dressed as BLACK guys…wow, reeeeal clever. If this had been an actual skit mocking or lampooning the jackson five, that would have been fine, but it's not…It's a wacky old timey minstrel show using skin color as a comedy device. If nothing else…just despise it because it's bad comedy, forget the racial aspect altogether and ask yourself WHY IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY?!
God soo ppl hate Americans, ppl hate Aussies, etc…. I, personally, hate my neighbor. Not because theyre Mexican but because they ignore their child and I hear him screaming bloody murder like hes being beaten. That doesnt mean I hate all Mexicans, or that their race should even be taken into account… I dont like them as ppl but if I said anything, it would mean I dont like Mexicans in general. I cant NOT like A black person because then I would be racist, even though I didnt have anything to do with slavery and they were never a slave. The skit may of offended some ppl, but its the intention behind it. GET OVER IT! It WASNT meant to be offensive!
i dont think these guys were being intentionally racist obviosuly it came across that way but i dont think they meant to the guy who was michael was apparently indian and he had gone white for the skit so it wasnt just white austrlians doing it. i think its good they apologised but in aus there isnt the history of black face painting that there was in america so they wouldnt of thought about it like americans would of
Minstrel shows were offensive when they were unfortunately popular and they are offensive now. That is awful. Racism is racism no matter what the country. It's not funny.
Look, there's no denying that this was in bad taste and whoever decided it should go to air should be fired.
Australia does have problems with racism - but er, what country doesn't? It wasn't too long ago some upstate country club in the US kicked out a group of black/mixed school kids. Here in the UK, Bruce Forsyth telling people they should "get a sense of humor" over the use of the derogatory, abbreviated Pakistani noun. The British National Party - the racist political party, is on the rise and gaining popularity all the time.
So while all you armchair critics are sitting there passing judgement on the 'most racist country in the world', you should also know that Australia has one of the highest foreign-born populations in the world - it's a very, diverse, multicultural country and I doubt that if it WAS the "racist capital of the world", people would still be lining up in droves to live there.
So think about that and maybe take a look in the mirror before you go spewing your ill-informed comments and tarring all Australian citizens with the same brush.
great guy ………… awesome
Fuck off to all you people saying 'Australians are known for being racists, go fuck yourselves'. This skit was not intended to be disrespectful and half of the people in the skit are black (sri lankan and indian). If they knew it was going to get to america im sure they would not have done the skit but as for Australia well i think it speaks volumes for our racial relations when we can sit back and see the humour in the skit and not get offened. P.S i have an african heritage
Disgusting.
Good for Harry. I always liked Harry and now I love him even more. Thanks for representing our country well. For you assholes to say get over it, it's in good humor needs to shut the hell up. Me, as a black person, feel disgusted and disrespected by this. Australia is not a third world country. Australia is exposed to our culture and has been for years. Even the damn show is a rip off of the Gong Show. Those Australians knew better.
I'm Australian and actually found this quite clever. Yes it can be seen as being racist and offensive to some, but that is not the way in which it was performed. Compared to American television and movies in which we see everyday; Hey Hey has no swearing, violence and is and will always be a good clean family show.
Everyone in this world needs to lighten up just a little, take a step back and see things for what they really are. Doctors in a Jackson 5 tribute band.
The world needs something like Hey Hey back on the air to show everyone how precious we have all become.
Hey, did any one see the skit of Harry back in the 80's with a painted black face impersonating an african american minister? Hypocrite!!!!! (It was on the Today show this morning!)
BTW, as an Australian I am very offended that people have said we are openly racist. The men in the skit were of italian, persian, sri lanan, indian and greek heritage. But we don't call people in Australia that were born there "greek Australian or Indian Australian" we just call them Australian. It is ridiculous that people here pretend to be so racially proper yet use language on a daily basis that continues to separate people racially.
Americans are the biggest hypocrites ever. What about Robert downey jr in Tropic Thunder? No one seemed to make a big deal out of that. The men in this skit were all from diverse backgrounds, clearly they were not being racist. Hundreds of people in Samoa are still lost and dead….and the world makes a big deal out of this - thats worse than anything these men did.
Racism is racism. Blacks are Always knocking non-blacks without even one objection. Yet everyone's up in arms about this. There is great pain behind anyone being mocked. I just hate the double standard.
People keep bringing up Tropic Thunder or White Chicks as examples but those were funny and was done with taste. I'm black and I laughed at RDJ as well as I know alot of white people laughed at the Wayans Brothers for White Chicks. Even though this skit was meant to be funny and not offensive, it was. The reason why people are in such an uproar because America has a negative history with the "Blackface". Ted Danson did the same thing and we had a problem with it. So I'm not going to put the blame all on Australia but I believe people should educate themselves.
I've seen American TV shows & movies do worse.That skit wasn't really even offensive - chill out! It was more offensive having Harry Connick Jr on the TV again.
Re: Eliza111 – I suggest you RE-READ my username smarty pants… Perez The Blog Nazi, I am not talking about myself because my name isnt Perez, got it?
Well, Aussies are closet Brits with a ribald Pythonesque sense of humor, and Americans rarely appreciate that type of humor. Americans like physical humor and slapstick, and Aussies don't find a lot of American humor funny. I guess Americans are still touchy, which signifies less growth than I thought. I'd like to know if any Jacksons or African Americans are offended before I decide.
It was the British government that did that to the Aborigines.
i am australian, and yes it was wrong for them to do.
but it makes me sooo sooo angry reading all the below.
just because 6 people were "racist", does not mean that every single person in australia is racist. thats just ridiculous.
HCJ did black face in the late 90s on MADTV! you can see it on youtube, what a HYPOCRITE!
i'm disgusted….
anyone seen Tropic Thunder lately?
Australian's generally do not have any knowledge of the history of "black face". The men doing the skit were mostly of indian descent and there was no racist, malicious intent at all. I notice that many people are calling Australian's racist. That is just utter bullshit! I bet that 99% of you have never visited our country and would have no idea of how open and friendly we are. Funny how Australia and Canada are always making the list of the most liveable countries in the world.
as an australian myself, i do find this in bad taste and poor quality, but why should you all have to go ahead and discriminate against all of us. Don't be a hypocrite, because then your not better than the 'notorious racists australians'
and as for the mj thing being too soon, maybe you shouldn't be posting shit about how hilarious south park was with its episode about death including MICHAEL JACKSON
please if your all to say how bad australians are, maybe its fair for me to judge you all on that one tv show aswell
Re: TaylorSwiftner –
How do you know that? What an incredibly stupid statement! How many Australian's do you actaully know? We are the MOST tolerant people. "Black face" has no history in our country. How were the performers (of indian descent) meant to know that the skit was offensive? Australian's have a very unique sense of humour. We laugh at everything, including ourselves. Americans have difficulty with our humour as they are known for not being able to laugh at themselves.
Re: Orator –
Why should people read up on this particular aspect of American history? Americans seem to think that the world revolves around THEM! It's very easy to call people racist, but it simply is not true in this case. The men involved have no concept of the history of "black face".
Seriously, Americans you need to Lighten up..Ever heard Australian humor we are idiots…this meant no harm to anyone…It was a skit done 20 years ago that they brought back to do on a reunion special…The guys who did it were mortified to hear that they offended people…Australians are very different to Americans we joke around and have fun…And we are most certainly not racist..we are the most multicultural country out there. Seriously Get over it.. Seriously If Harry hadn't said anything there wouldnt be this uproar..
Re: Easydoesit –
What does THAT mean? America hides it racism? I think Americans really need to look closely at themselves before casting stones at other countries.
This was never meant to be racist.
Thihs is Australian humour, taking the mickey out of people.
And for you morons to say all of Australia is racist, well you are completely stupid.
Oh, and guess what, Australians don't give a fuck what Americans think.
We don't like you.
Okay I'm just going to say it…. It's not like they came out with blackface and danced around like gollywogs…… that would have been racist. As soon as they introduced the act I thought to myself "gee I hope they don't come out in blackface" but sure enough they did. Yes they should have thought about it a bit more, yes the producers shouldn't have allowed them to go on. But COME ON!!! And if I hear one more American claim that WE need to pick up a history book and read about YOUR history. I'm sure there are millions of American's who don't know about our history. I'm more than willing to admit that I'm racist….. you're racist, he's racist, she's racist, they're racist - everyone is racist whether they are willing to admit it or not. If someone kills or maims in the name of racism then they should be condemned for it, but to do a comedy skit and have all of this hoopla over it is just ridiculous. Surely there are more important things to complain about at the moment.
Let me remind Americans where this came from in the first place. It was American that had segregation, America that had the whole "black face" performances, America that had slavery, America that had race riots (multiple). Australia has not had any of this. Who are the REAL racists???????? If your black community is really that happy with their situation, why do you still have race riots?
Hey Australian here… I can tell you our country is about as racist as yours.. The skit was not ment to be racist, but light hearted entertainment. ALOT of people took it the wrong way… I applaud Harry Conncick for speaking his mind for himself & for the American people.. but come on.. there is no reason to ear bash everyone on how bad us Australians are.. Good you guys even commented on a firefighter giving a koala a drink of water in one of our worst bush fire seasons ever.. you all thought it was a massive joke..
Get over it.. we all do something or rather that makes other countries gasp.. just like when your late night tv show hosts made fun of steve irwin dying..
Goodness sake…
Re: Ins0mniac – That was a breath of fresh air to read, and i was thinking the same exact thing, wondering how i could type this out to share.
Just an fyi on this show, 90% of the talents that participate are so horrible, the best part is when the judges totally rip them a new one.
ps. Most Australians don't know the history of the United States, racism is common in Australia, but doesn't exist in the way it does in the US.
African Americans are a group in the United States, not the world.
Some of you people obviously dont understand the history of black face. Do whatever you want to look black - but dont put on black face
okay guys now for a few FACTS! those guys painted black WERE BLACK! This skit was done back in 1989 and was a return as it was one of the most famous ones during this segment of the show. How is black people painting themselves black offensive?
i think Harry should have told the performers when he was judging how wrong that was.
and im sorry, but i could kill the woman judge! she's ignorant and racist.
I have a lot of respect for Harry.
Fuck you Yanks are so precious!!
No harm was meant! 20 years ago it wasn't a problem, don't see why it should be now. One of the guys was Indian for gods sake!
Im glad to be an Aussie. We have a sense of humour and don't see EVERYTHING as being racist!
P.S - I've seen some footage of Harry Connick with black face paint taking off an african american….Hypocrite anyone?
Mr. Connick is an honorable gentleman.
All of you people supporting this crap obviously have no clue about the history of blackface. It has always been and will always be a form of racism. Thinking otherwise is pure ignorance.
I AGREE WITH # 38.
This show is an iconic Australian show it ran for over 20 years, and this skit was done 20 years ago, it was not racist then and is not now. Americans are the first ones to take the piss out of Aussies whenever they can, hell half of them dont even know where we are and if we really do throw shrimp on the barby or we have kangaroos in our backyards.
Lighten up everyone, it was not offensive or racist it was just meant to be fun, no different to when Eddie Murphy dressed up as a white guy on SNL and took the piss out of white people.
Get over it life is too short.
Harry Connick Jr has the face of an a**!
Re: karencarpenter – But these were medical doctors,not backwater hillbillies.
Wow there are some really huge generalisations about Australia/Australian's here - "many white Australians are notoriously racist"?? I am wondering how many people making these comments have ever been there… but anyway.
It was misguided but not meant to offend. People just need to LIGHTEN THE HELL UP. This is a PC world gone mad. I don't recall there being such outcry when Robert Downy Junior blackened his face for Tropic Thunder.
NB: Only 1 of these guys was a "white" Australian. Hmmm
Re: Belerofonte –
No body but retards & racist thinks that is funny.
Nobody.
There is plenty of shit to laugh at…but that is not one of them.
Re: Phil Seymour – Great comment and I agree. However, I don't think it would be right to just not say anything about how distasteful it is. In fact,I don't think I could "let it ride" and I'm glad Harry didn't.
It was a stupid act and not very funny and completely uncool, Connick handled the situation very well and made his point without acting pissy, love him he's great.
Bravo Harry!
But for the record, Perez, It's not that is was "too soon" to do it. It's that white men in black face is offensive.
Re: PerezTheBlogNazi –
Blacks get angry because right after slavery in the late 1800's white people felt threatened by the prospect of not being superior to blacks. Blacks were able to work and congregate openly and the white people got nervous. So they created these lazy ignorant characters and pranced around like idiots, which gave white people some control of how they THOUGHT blacks should act. It made them, once again, feel superior. The minstrel shows were done out of angry, jealous and ignorance.
That is why blacks
I'm an Australian and I feel as though that I should say sorry. The truely sad thing is that I'm in the minortiy of people in Australia who finds this skit not only in extremly BAD taste but where actually offended by it, most people say "oh it was just a joke…get over it". now I haven't experienced anywhere near the hard ships relating to race that some people have and Australia hasn't experienced anything like the other nations have with race so I don't believe that we are in the postion to judge our selves, i think it is time we as australians stop hiding behind " it was just a joke" and not only own what happened by look at another way to laugh because racism is never funny.
Re: PerezTheBlogNazi –
Blacks get angry because right after slavery in the late 1800's white people felt threatened by the prospect of not being superior to blacks. Blacks were able to work and congregate openly and the white people got nervous. So they created these lazy ignorant characters and pranced around like idiots, which gave white people some control of how they THOUGHT blacks should act. It made them, once again, feel superior. The minstrel shows were done out of angry, jealous and ignorance.
That is why blacks get angry
Re: Norton1 – "the indian guy" has spoken out against the skit and also his treatment, as an indian, through-out the life time of the show
LOL this is so funny reading the comments here, I laughed out loud.
@easydoesit:Not surprised. Australia is a very openly racist place.
yeah…we're the racist country. not america where the racial divide is still significant. we're a multicultural country and any accusation that we're a racist country is ridikulous. don't be listening to a few media reports about attacks on indian students and make that judgement. with a population of 20mil+ there's only a few idiots doing the attacking, the rest of us are appalled. and how often do racial attacks happen in america?
i think american's are so afraid to be seen as racist, even when they are racist, that they get high and mighty about these things. good on harry for standing up for what he believes in, but this whole thing is ridiculous.
and as for the skit, it may be offensive now because of MJ's death but it's worth remembering the skit won Hey Hey back in the day when it was on, during the 80's of something, so they were invited back as past winners. It's ok to be offended, but it's not ok to blow it out of proportion.
Re: Easydoesit –
maybe you can get fucked.
its like me saying all americans are boring, up tight and overly sensitive christians.
one tv skit does not represent 21 millions australians.
Just laying out the facts here…
To the people calling Australian's racist and uneducated…the whole group that performed the skit were fully qualified surgeons. And the man who dressed up as Michael Jackson was Indian, so somehow I don't think he was intended to be racist against black people. Because he has dark skin and painted his face white does that make him racist against white people?
If Harry wasn't on the judging panel, this wouldn't've hit the news! As an Aussie, we don't have the black face history, it was just a skit about how MJ had become a little lighter since the last time they did the skit 20 years ago.
When everyone starts talking about racism, all I can think of is the "Avenue Q" song "Your a little bit Racist". We as australians don't mean any harm by anything we do. This country was built on a multi-cultural society, and yes we still have problems, but so does america!
TerrificallySane:
what about how the indigenous people of australia have been treated?
how about how the american indians were treated by australians? how muslims are treated by americans? how african americans are treated by australians?
Re: SlurryDog –
Perfectly said!
Re: emmafrommelbourne –
oops. last bit how americans treat african americans obviously.
and right on, norton 1. harry did a skit dressed as an african american woman, his face painted black, hypocrite!
OH MY GOD PEOPLE! As An Australian i think you guys don't get it. It was based on a skit from 20 years ago, all the acts were. They weren't making fun of anyone, they were trying to be the Jackson 5, showing that in 2009 Michael was a lot whiter than the rest of the members. The guys who did it were in fact indian, they could have done it without the make up as they're dark enough but based ont he original skit they were to darken their faces. I didn't find it funny as i'd seen it before but i wasn't offended by it. It was done in harmless fun, the rest of the world needs to lighten up.
Re: TaylorSwiftner –
Right. Because white America isn't racist at all…
Racism is alive and kicking! Let's just deal with it people.
It wasn't the black face it was the insensitivity to an issue that is way bigger than black and white. Both white and black Americans should just be embarrassed to have to re-live a time in history that was so volatile and disgusting.
I probably would have laughed had the skit been funny, but it wasn't. It was a mockery and that is why people-such as myself are mad. Just like I thought White Chicks was a mockery and not funny.
Some of these comments about lighten up and Americans do worse are true, but when it's something such as the topic of race EVERYBODY is guilty of it.
Rather you want to admit it or not WE HAVE ALL SAID AND DONE THINGS THAT WERE RACIST. We just consider ourselves not to be because we done it or said it in private. Had these gentlemen NOT appeared on T.V. none of us would have gave a fuck.
How dare you all say such things about australian people. You americans don't have a clue. I'm so angry that such a big deal has been made of this. Out of the 5 performers only one was caucasian, they were mixed race. Maybe you should find out more before you crucify them. Im so glad to be australian, cause if I lived in america i wouldnt be able to put up with all you self righteous wankers. I used to log into this site every day but this will be the last time. Go to hell Perez, you've lost a aussie fan i hope one of many.
Faaarrr outttt.. Harden up America!!! I agree it was in bad taste but in Oz we take the piss out of everything, including ourselves!!! We are such a mixed country that its not possible for us to be actually racist!!! U just dont get the Oz sense of humor! I get called a Skip about a million times a day as I work with all Greeks but fuck i don't go crying cause thats how we are in OZ! Harry Connick is a tool bag! P.S - Luv how dave chappel can paint his face white and take the piss out of white people and no one says a thing (& yes, It was fucking hilarious) Light up!!! get your helmets on and harden the fuck up! cry babies!!
Re: Easydoesit –
WTF, Hope you are either from Australia or have visited, if you from US where you have legal organizations which are racist KKK, The skit was done by a bunch of Indian Doctors and yeas the skit was it bad taste and inappropriate, that does not mean Australia is openly racist
Harry Connick Jnr was very diplomatic
Re: caroaber – Yes it was distaste full, I wish Americans could remember there own history of Slavery, African Americans having No rights.
Yes Australia has had some low points in their past and have made steps to fix them and as a country we have said sorry. Has the American people as a whole done this for their racist past. I was in the States just after Obama won the election on a Basketball trip and I had to stay with a family who were all drawing straws to see who would kill him. People in glass houses should not throw stones
o and by the way, pereze wore a dingo ate my baby shirt to a kylie monouge concert. in australia we dont have the evils of raciesm use had, but we did have a 9week old baby be draged off by a dingo and her mother went to jail for 8 years, her brother was without a mother for 8 years. he was 6 when it happend, and pereze jokes about that? just because use see one thing in america dosnt mean its seen the same way here in australia
It was all fun & games until Harry Connick Jnr made a big deal out of it.. lighten up!! Nobody in Aus cares about the meanings behind blackface theatre because it's never been a huge deal here, and that's not what the skit was supposed to represent.. *sigh* nobody gets our sense of humour!
Re: TaylorSwiftner – they werent all white australians. australia is very multi cultural theres probably very few white ppl in australia in comparison to middle eastern, asian, europeans, americans, africans, central americans, and south americans not to mention the aboriginals. there was a lebonese, and two indian men there to.
LOL at those saying "white australians are openly racist"
Please let me know what gives you the right (or knowledge) to make this genralisation.
Re: Bored As Hell – There's my proof. There's no problem when it's done for stupid male humor? How is a comedy movie that uses blackface different from a comedy skit that uses blackface? The people who performed it and whether you know them, obviously. I brought up White Chicks because of the simple fact that no one batted an eyelash. Now there WAS some uproar over Tropic Thunder, however it was a white man wearing black face. It almost reverts to the "N" word debacle. It's okay for one race and not the other. Even though it's "history" is rooted in hate, just like blackface is, eventually things change. Still not okay for whites, but perfectly fine for people like Chris Rock. "Cracka/er" is still just fine and dandy, even when used racially. These are the types of actions and comments that continue racism on. I started out loving everyone. But the more I get older, and as a straight, white married female - I get told not to have an opinion on just about everything (whether it's good OR bad) that doesn't deal with white, straight females, but majority of black comedians have a field day making fun of white people.
THE GUYS IN THE SKIT WEREN'T ALL WHITE AUSTRALIANS!! One was Indian, one Lebenese, and another Mauri!! So please stop generalising and get the facts before you comment.
To all the people commenting on Australians being racist as though it's a fact - I'd like to see you back this up! Have you ever lived in Australia? We're actually an incredibly multicultural country who encourage people from all different races to settle here, and bring their cultures with them!
Look, we just have a different sense of humour over here, we have this amazing ability to see things the way they are meant and find humour in them!
I have no idea what you guys are on about. I still do not understand how this was offensive???
You are actually being offensive to black people by saying they look like bafoons. THat is the offensive part! Did the Jackson 5 look like that? Yes… they were an awesome talented band and everyone in AUS respects that.. but now harry is saying they looked like bafoons…. no wonder why the world dislikes americans.. so easy to take offense yet can dish it out no end!
To all you americans who are telling Australians that we are uneducated and racist you are just as bad by saying that! And I bet that barely any of you have visited our country or even know our history. I lived in your country for a year recently and I experienced some of the worst racism I have ever seen. Not just agaisnt myself(always being teased about my accent and a dingo ate my baby) but also against your own people. Not to mention uneducated, I was asked by many american adults if we in Australia have cars or electricity and if I live in Sydney or the Outback?? It proves how limited SOME Americans knowledge is of our great country!
Here in Australia we are one of the most multi cultural countries there is. We live side by side to people from all over the world and proudly call them Australian. Thats what makes living here so great!
So don't tarnish all Australians with the same brush. I speak highly of America as I know that not every single person in America is Uneducated and racist.
Harry Connick Junior is a douche
I watched it the nite it happend, & i was horrified!!! But to those whom have left comments that australia is an "openly raciest place" that is an offensive generalisation!!!! Every country has those issues, The majority of aussies where offended, dont generalise
I love Harry! Bravo!
U all need to calm down! It was a joke for an Australian audience, not American! It means something completely different for us. We dont have a big population of blacks and hence have not been exposed to the same struggles you have. I am not saying we have been perfect because some things that happened were cruel, but we have a different history and issues to u guys.
And someone said because we get some American shows we should know the black American history… i must have missed the episode of friends and sex and the city! how many of u can give me a comprehensive description of our history?
And to call us ALL racist is ridiculous! i could turn around and call u all texas hicks with guns who love george bush and killing others…but just cause someone says it doesnt make it true and doesnt mean u should all jump on the bandwagon! have u even been to Australia? I am sure there are some racists, but by far the majority are fair and open minded people who embrace different cultures.
It was meant as a joke. it was not meant to be malicious. sorry if it offened Americans, but i'm sure it was not their intention. However congrats 2 Harry C Jnr for standing up for what he believes in.
ps. most of the guys in the skit were from multicultural backgrounds - Asian, Indian, Arab etc.
Uhh, okay I agree that they went a bit over board. But here you are all calling us Australians racist, but most of you are saying "it's known for WHITE australians to be racist" This was a skit. I'm Australian and it offends me that you all can call us all those nasty things. We are one of the most multi cultural countries in the world. They were trying to be humerous, not racist.
Are you people serious ???? No one was being racist or disrespectful- media takes things out of context, everyone should know this
No one is Australia is racist, as if any of you americans would know, something like 12% of your nation have a passport and i got asked by an american the other day how long it takes to drive to sydney- from LA? so in saying that i dont think its fair to judge or call anyone in australia racist when infact you have no idea- so people painted their faces black and sang to the jackson 5? whats the big deal?? NOTHING….
Get over yourselves and get over this because no one realllllllllllllllly cares
Re: Pepsi12 –
Killed it….
wow.. I'm australian, and proud of it.. if he wasn't the judge, nothing would have been said nor thought of.. just reminds me why we hate you guys so much.. you say we are "notorious" for being racist? wow, check out that whole southern end of your country a little bit? or pretty much every second movie you guys produce, that tells the same story about the lives of your "people".. we are not glamourising it, it was just a repeat of a skit from 20 years ago - on a REUNION show, a one off.. everything to do with your country involves racism in one form or another, back off.. i think i could go turn on my cable tv right now, go to a movie channel, and there would be an american movie where the main underlying issue is "racism in america".. people in glass houses! don't rip our country to shreds and call us ignorant over a one off, you should be smarter than that.. but then again maybe not.. have a little play in google, and you will find that Australia is the most culturally diverse country in the world, we accept everyone.. however you guys obviously do not, looking at the insane outpuring of hate over this little skit on the other side of the world.. have fun!
Re: karencarpenter – Are you serious??? Australia is one of the most multi cultural countires in the world. How do you have the nerve to say that kind of thing when Australia is also one of the most privilaged AND highly educated countries. Half the people here are calling Australia racist, but you are all saying WHITE australians. If you havent noticed, you are being racist yourselves. Lighten up, sure it went overboard a little, but Australia has a sense of humour. We can see the funny side of it. You choose not to. I'm proud to be Australian and i'm proud that we are all brought up in a multi cultural country where we DONT judge. It was humerous. Not racist.
i cant ansrew this shorlty its just $hits me that in this day and age were using the word "blackface" Come on now. it was a skit it may not of been that funny and it may of been of jackson . but it has been done before not the first time the subject has been raised about is micheal black or is micheal white? the skit was done 20 years ago and they probly did not plan to offend anyone..yes mayby bit to close to his death, sure. but it was a runion show for a program that has been many many peoples fav shows as a kid and even adults. it was our aussie comedy show. come one guys u guys have shows like american dad. and its funny but that goes over bored sure its a cartoon but they still bag the living sh!t out of diffrent religions and blacks, jews and that weird fight u guys have over ur elections. there is good and bad in all comedy, we just have to remeber that was not done to offend it really was ment for funny, the men doing it were all of indian- australian background and are coulored them selves so how can u call em raciest the hole bloddy subject has just got way way out of control
Re: Belerofonte – It's not about having a sense of humor. The skit was was not funny and Harry was right to be offended.
sry had to add this i dont wanna offened any of those america lovers but you have the home to the "Proud White People, KKK" thats a bit screwed up that australia is raciest when its very open in your country that there is a problem. Also it ironic that it doesnt rage a issue when a couloured person buts white face paint on. but shove some black paint on a aussie and where all raciest. the issue is stupid, hopeless and reallly pushing us back 40 years ago. last night on 9 new australia we had the world "black" beeped out when they found a skit of HARRY CONNIC JRN dressed up as a "black" precher………….hmmm but we wont call that raciest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just commenting again how pissed off I am at america..
I think RDJ can be brought up.. He was imitating us, imitating black, then getting nominated for a bloody oscar??!! And to be honest, I didn't even know what black face was, it was obviously something americans created.. Hope life is as fancy free over there as it is here.. I thank god for my country every day, and its moments like this that make me thank even harder.. Have a good one!
Oh jeez guys, its funny you are now calling all us australians racist…and yet you yourselves are now being racist by lumping us all together and calling us that? Think about it. Pretty silly huh.
1) Australia is an immigrant country (hey im an immigrant too). My neighbours on one side are Iranian, and the others Chinese. Everybody respects each other.
2) Harry Connick Jr did a similar skit years back. Hyprocite?
3) Yes, racism is alive in any country, but most of the guys doing the skit werent white anyway, they were indian. They were mortified at the reaction and did not mean it offensively in any way.
you guys bashing australia for being a racist place are no better! you're generalising about an entire country. i agree what was done should not have been done, but how dare you blame an entire nation of people?!?! there are still racists in the USA. trust me, i live there now! doesnt mean the whole country is racist.
Re: Ammaki – i agree with u! were more then multicultral, where no were near a openly raceist country we have high regard for all people whom come to work and protect our country, our community is full of all diffrent back grounds and unlike some countrys we dont have bits of places other races cannot go! its sickening how where racist but a certin country has a VERY openly "white-power" KKK groups.. thats what i call racist and disgusting!
Get over it they apologised at the end of the show.
I think that you all need to lighten up and get the hell over yourselves..Australians aren't racist..we are honest..and if you don't like it deal with it. The skit wasn't racist at all…the guy doing it was an indian..it was just a bit of light humor..and your acting like he killed the president..Australians poke fun at everything and everyone including ourselves..maybe it's becuase we actually don't give a shit..and don't feel the need to sugar coat everything and make our world overly politically correct..We aren't racist but we also aren't the biggest fan of people coming into our country and trying to change it..whether it be due to the migrants political or religious views….GET OVER IT..it was a lame skit..and harry connick had done a skit like that previously..a little hypocritical don't you think..
Umm hello idiots: ROBERT DOWNY JNR PLAYED A AUSSIE WHITE FELLA WITH BLACKFACE AND AMERICA NOMINATED HIM FOR AN ACADAMY AWARD!!
No one complained about that. No one labelled him a racist and yet some of you idiots seem to complain the the WHOLE OF AUS is racist?
GET A LIFE