So now the shoe is on the other foot. For years outcries about the vile content on [insert name of television show] have been met by the more sensible amongst us (re: me) asking “why don’t you just turn it off?”.
I know why one doesn’t turn it off now. Sometimes you just can’t look away. This is why on two consecutive weeks I watched three-hour long Hey Hey It’s Saturday Reunion specials.
As I’m sure you all saw last night on TV, or read/heard about from EVERY media outlet this morning, the second and final Hey Hey It’s Saturday Reunion special last night aired a Red Faces act featuring a Jackson Five parody of sorts presented in blackface. On the judging panel was US singer Harry Connick Jr. Connick Jr looked shocked by what he was witnessing (no doubt realising the footage of his being on stage there would be on YouTube now forever). Later in the show, viewers were treated to five minutes of HILARITY in which Daryl awkwardly apologised to Connick Jr for offending his sensibilities (but not apologising for the act itself), offering Connick Jr a platform to explain why he found it offensive.
It was great television, for all of the wrong reasons.
Some very talented performers have appeared in blackface in the past (among them the great Al Jolson and Orson Welles). These stereotypical, racially offensive performances were from an era in which US white Americans hadn’t fully had their eyes open to what a blackface act actually signified. In 2009, I’d like to think that people have enough education and life experience to understand that a performance such as that has no place in entertainment.
The fact the Jackson Jive performance wasn’t performed for US television, but instead for Australians is not an excuse. One shouldn’t be taking all of their attitudes to issues relating to race and sexuality from The Footy Show.
So last night as I sat there watching five men dancing and singing in blackface on this family variety program, the one thought that kept running through my mind was that the very same people who were last week in full support of the Hey Hey It’s Saturday brand of humour. Hey Hey, filled with racist and sexist jokes, invites backward-thinking “comedy” like this. This sketch was simply emblematic of what is wrong with Hey Hey It’s Saturday.
Completely lacking in satire, or any other contextual exploration of race and performance, the viewers of Hey Hey It’s Saturday last night witnessed what Hey Hey It’s Saturday is really about. It’s a largely unfunny throwback to a time gone by. Our comedy tastes have developed and progressed beyond what the show has to offer. One can respect Hey Hey It’s Saturday for what it provided us in the past, but it simply doesn’t meet the standards of modern day entertainment.
If Hey Hey is to return in a permanent capacity in 2010, it needs to leave the racist and sexist humour behind.
Unfortunately, the viewing figures and enormous amount of Twitter chat seem to show that Hey Hey hasn’t been left behind and people are nostalgia for the show. Plenty of people’s attitude would be “where’s the harm in a little fun, if someone’s offended they must have no sense of humour”.
Without convincing those people to have a closer look at why blackface is offensive and racist, shows with sexist and racist humour will always find an audience.
the sketch was stupid and unfunny… and racist (that being said – i do understand the ‘reunion’ thing they were trying to do with bringing them back)
it was a stupid mistake to have it on the show.
i DO, however, think ‘hey hey’ has a place on aus tv… i think once they move past the old segments and fresh it up it could be quite a fun show. the formula is great and the unpredictability could be exactly what aus tv needs… just an opinion.
I’m surprised such an oversight occurred. I say “oversight” as I’m trying to be diplomatic.
I don’t know if viewing figures can be used as justification (although I know that’s not what you were doing David), Hitler was once was popular too you know!
Mediaweek tweeted: “RT @MediaweekAUS ***Breaking News*** Hey Hey It’s Wednesday – bigger ratings than last week – 2.3M viewers last night (avg)…peak 3.5M viewers.”
Everyone is talking about the color of the performers but what offended me more was the constant referal to their genetal area as they were dancing, both my younger two children asked why they keep putting their hands there.Doesnt that offend people anymore, and we can go on…..i see more immorality on tv than a stupid dance with painted faces and where does aussie comedy draw the lines you have it on Rove, Good news week, and comedy clubs!!!!!!etc,,,!!!!!
I was disappointed very excited to watch the show that segment offended me and I would think many others do you guys not know the origins of skits like that if you did I dont think yous would have done it do some history!!!.
Rather then justifying your racisit attitudes put your hand up and say I am ignorant and dont know much about black history in america it doesnt make it right here!!!!!!!.
Now we all know can we move on and make the show if there is ever another better with nothing like that. I know you could argue black ppl dress up as white ppl too those individuals would be idiots as well however white america dont have the history black ppl do. Have some respect.
ps Thank you David Jackmanson you summed it up!!!!!!!!!
The Jackson Five were black,or am I mistaken,so when playing them you put on blackface.Would you be offended if some black guys put on whiteface to play The Osmonds,or would you see it as mildly amusing and silly.
I don’t see the big deal. It was harmless fun that wouldn’t have gone anywhere if Harry Connick Jnr wasn’t a judge.
Australians are larikins. Five out of the Six guys in the skit were not white and Im sure they have never been called racist before. Im a “maori” and how many times have I seen the “Haka” been done by white people taking the “micky” out of us. We know its done out of fun and don’t blow things out. How else would you do a skit on the “Jackson five” without hurting peoples feelings?
vanda – I for one love on air discussions about genitals. Wee wee’s. And pee pee’s.
When contextually appropriate, of course.
Hi Andrea – the only joke that existed within the sketch was that the guys on screen were wearing blackface.
In itself, there’s nothing wrong with the wearing of black paint on ones face, but when you consider it in the context of the history of the type of acts that were traditionally performed in black face, along with the changing attitudes to racial equality, that is why it is a problem.
I’m sure I saw a movie once with an actor wore black face paint to portray a black person. I believe it was Robert Downey Jnr.
Didn’t John Travolta dress up like a woman to play a female character in Hairspray? How come no one is accusing him of being sexist.
Didn’t Mike Myers wear a fatsuit while portraying a fat guy in Austin Powers.
To be honest at the time I wasn’t sure if Harry was upset because of the black nature or the fact that MJ had recently passed.
Such an uproar over nothing. I take it Harry or any of you other people aren’t fans of Family Guy or American Dad.
People should be complaining about the burpinator or whatever he was called getting 2nd.
It amazes me that every single person involved in the production of Hey Hey was so completely blinded by nostalgia that it didn’t occur to them that an awkwardly unfunny blackface performance by a group of white, wealthy doctors featuring a lampoon of a recently dead man could potentially be in poor taste.
Proud Aussie here. My parents arrived as refugees from Ukraine 50 years ago. Even though they were fair and white, the suspicion of “anglo” Aussies towards anyone foreign manifested in degrading ways, as if they were bringing in diseases and threats to their livelihood. My sister was very sick and ignored medical care. She died of pneumonia at 13 months within two weeks of arrival. That was my young parents’ introduction to the Australian 1950′s psyche.
I loathe racism. I’ve seen the pain it causes. But now the migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and their families almost outnumber the traditional “anglo” (British) Aussie. Combined with the irreverent Aussie humour and spirit, there is no better place to live in the world.
Most of us were blissfully ignorant of the concept of “blackface” and what it means to African Americans. I wasn’t aware of its slavery connection. I don’t believe Aussies see black people as buffoons, yet if someone/a part of the global community was hurt, then we need to sincerely apologise and learn from it. Far from buffoons, African Americans have a perception here of being so goddamned hip and cool … and our local black community is primarily from Somalia and Ethiopia to build a new life. Aussies love people who battle to overcome obstacles.
Another thing you must be aware of, is that Australia is a CLASSLESS SOCIETY. We do not have the obvious class distinctions you have. There are no hangups here about your standing in society. It is not part of the Australian psyche to think you are better than anyone else. Minor example: Aussies won’t sit in the back of a taxi cab, by doing so would be an act of belittling the status of the driver. We sit in the front
There is a payoff for all this understanding from we love-a-laugh Australians:
Can we ask we NOT be referred to as (cringe) convicts/criminals, kangaroos and Fosters-loving Crocodile Dundees. Americans – you have no idea how ignorant that makes YOU sound! They are redundant, irrelevant symbols to the everyday lives of Australians. Thomas Kenneally (Aussie author of “Schindler’s List”), wrote in his other novel “Jacko” that TV in America is the “Eye of God”. You don’t know anything or believe anything unless you see it on TV. This may harm our image to those Americans who do not see outside that box. Lift your game – your image could do with a makeover too.
Being a little ignorant I actually Wikied BlackFace and I apologise for what I stated earlier.
Harry wasn’t upset because the act was racist, he was upset because it reminded him of the racist things that americans used to do.
Hi Liam – it’s cool to see you did a bit of reading up on it all. Wish more people were proactive like that.
I do think that the act itself was indeed racist as it deliberately embodied an approach to performance of which is so heavily grounded in racist behaviour.
It’s true that there are double standards out there – no, as a white man, I won’t be offended by an African-American painting his/her face white. Eddie Murphy, for example, did a great sketch for SNL where he pretended to be a white man to see how “the other half” live – it was funny stuff. But if an African-American painted his or her face white and then began acting inappropriately or in a demeaning manner, I would be offended. (A double standard often applies to religions as well, whereby it seems OK to make fun of Christians but not people of other religions).
Like people have said above, the black face performers of the past used to make fun of black people and that makes this association intolerable.
It’s interesting that this happened last night because I saw a quick glimpse of John Safran’s new show on the ABC last night and I saw him with a blackened face and I was shocked that he would consider such an act.
People find it offensive and hurtful and therefore you don’t do it – I don’t care what your intentions were. The sexual harrasser’s argument after they pinch a woman on the bum or after they tell a kneeling woman “while you’re down there” is that they were only doing it as a joke. It doesn’t matter, it’s offensive, it hurtful and degrading and you DO NOT do it!
It’s all about our white guilt (inc Harry Connick). I have islander friends didn’t give a stuff about the act or the brief uproar. Still, this was an american satire. I discreetly switched off after 10.. missed the act – I was getting that prickly feeling at the back of my neck and a slightly squirmy tummy, cringing I think it is.
Maybe some of the (over)reaction is possibly due to MJ being only briefly dead, but I’d guess the original ‘sketch’ probably wasn’t that funny back then.. and still not. In the 80′s black-face crap lost the ‘white lips’ minstrel look and tried to sneak under, so times change and will again. But you know, maybe HHIS just incorrectly gauged a knowing grinner for the slow masses?
It’s a sly point to raise the varied skin colour and birth places of the contestants, but still the jig resembles ‘Bonny’ Prince Harry wearing a nazi uniform to a party (oh! ahaha! Very witty!). Worst of all I fear it will do even more for the show’s chances of a comeback.
Andrea your embarrassing to even mention your Maori I am too we’re not Black American ok just bc were black brown white what ever you want to identify yourself as doesnt lighten the situation bc of your oppionion.
And when ppl imitate or emulate the haka they and we dont have a history where we were taken from a country used as slaves lynched and imitated in such skits as black faces in a derogatory way. It was highly offensive and to watch the morning shows and see ppl pass it off as aussie humour is embarrassing I have many aussie friends my partner is aussie and its not just bc alot of ppl share the same sense of humour hes embarrassed as it WASNT FUNNY. It was ridiculous I get that they did it perhaps ignorantly maybe after this they will read up on it do some history they are doctors after all and apologise channel 9 is to blame to its a shame as it says alot about ppls attitudes.
Oh and Anders your ‘island’ friends are not I repeat not African American nor do they share the same history or do you class black brown ppl all the same?! seriously do some reading on the subject of African American history or do you not care enough to bc your so busy trying to defend your racist attitude.
One more thing Liam proud of you who ever you are thank you for not being ignorant and doing some research.
Hey Hey its Saturday was one of the most loved TV shows in Australian History. Every weekend the family would sit together and watch quality and respectful television, always on the border of what was right but never over the top. last night was just a stupid decision to put an American in an Australians seat, that is that! Do Australians care what Another country thinks? Why should we! The skit that every one is having a dig at is just a repeat of a skit done many years ago. How can it not be considered racist back then but today it can? If any Australians thought it was to much then don’t watch it, is it so hard to change the channel? Most Australians are sensible and new a joke but the rest of the population against it needs to harden the fuck up. Americans for one have had digs at the former pop star for years, as soon as he dies they protect him like a saint? another thing is, i am sick of hearing younger people that weren’t even old enough to watch it originally comment on the subject! I don’t need to hear a 16yr old voice there opinion when back when it was on they where still learning there fucking ABC’s. Harden the fuck up Australia, take your skirt off and stop complaining!
“Harden the fuck up”, hey? I bet the Cronulla riots was just a few mates getting together and celebrating Australia Day, hey Ben?
Rather than hardening the fuck up, you know who needs to shut the fuck up? The people of Australia who still think it’s OK to make fun of people because of the colour of their skin or their religion or because of their sexual orientation or because of the way they look. People who think it’s OK because it was a joke need to step into the 21st Century and realise the world has changed – we’re not a big isolated island anymore, we’re a small part of a much bigger place and what happens here has repurcussions all around the world. We’re no longer just made up of a bunch of white fellas from the Mother country, we are a meld of people with many different backgrounds and that isn’t going to change.
I’m a white, Anglo-Saxon straight Australian-born and raised 36 year old man and I say IT’S NOT FUCKING ON! I have hardened the fuck up, I’ve hardened the fuck up against the racist, sexist, homophobic and ignorant tools that still exist in our society. Remember what your Mum used to tell you, if you can’t say anything nice about someone then you shouldn’t say anything at all.
What i find difficult to understand is that the legendary Al Jolson is the “father” of blackface, and was responsible in bringing “black” music into popular culture with his acts. He was regarded by the “blacks” in breaking down barriers between the white community and the black community. he was an advocate for the rights of black people and supporting their cause.If Americans feel so strongly about this incident then please pull down the Al Jolson Way sign nr Broadway,burn his records and any memorabilia and remove his star from the Hollywood walk of fame. – People need to educate themselves before they form an accurate opinion, and who are you Mr Harry Connick Jnr to demand a public apology on national television you Hypocrite.
When was the adjective “black’ face changed to the noun “blackface” to describe a white person doing a parody of a black person.
Al Jolson made “blackface” famous when he brought the sounds of the south to a public that was only interested in hearing them from a white man.
As times change, we all alter our opinions to suit the popular beliefs of the times.
Australians are being tarred with the brush that Americans left in the tar pot. We are the most tolerable country when it comes to living next door to other races. Australia is another word for “Mixed Races” as our country was built by the migrants that immigrated here from day one. It is probably the reason why we feel that we can parody other races and laugh at the comedy of a different culture just as much as we can laugh at ourselves and our own white culture. We don’t see race…..we are too laid back for that and far more used to it than most…..but we do see funny.
Hey Hey its Saturday’s Red Faces skit was an impromptu parody of the Jackson Five. How can a group of white men (2 Indians, a Lebonese and 2 Aussies), do a tribute of the most known Motown group and well known artist of our times without a bit of color on their faces?
Can only black people do comedy skits of black people?
I didn’t see these so called “blackface” performers with the traditional red lips of “blackface”……..they only had BLACK faces. If a group of white men tried to parody the Jackson Five without BLACK faces….it would not only look stupid but would not make sense!
Did Eddie Murphy’s portrayal of a white jewish man in “Coming to America” cause outrage and hate. No, it was funny…very funny. Even though he portrayed what was considered as behavioural traits that are considered “jewish”.
Harry Connick Jnr has been a loved visitor of Australia for years, yet he has done a “blackface” appearance with a black man. Does he think it was wrong? Obviously not then but maybe he does now. Does the black man that he did that appearance with think it was wrong? I doubt it but maybe he does.
Black people are also guilty of being racist amongst themselves…..He’s not mocha enough…..She’s dark chocolate not milk chocolate…..I’ve heard these words directly from black people. In Australia it’s the same. I come from a Scottish background…..its so cold in Scotland our skin color is naturally BLUE! Yea Ive copped a lot for not being a bronzed Aussie, but those comments usually come from mates (its typical for mates to rib each other in Aust), or Aholes who don’t have any guilt about how others feel. But it doesn’t really bother me…..I was a competitive swimmer and life guard for many years.
When are we going to learn that we all began from the same point of evolution…..no color is better than any other……we have evolved into different looks and colors but the truth remains the same “there is good and bad in every race”.
It is the ever vigilant (or vigilante), media who causes these rifts and arguments by constantly judging the “political correctness” of every thought and word. The want to be outraged and angry at anything that is not PC is the problem. What happened to “sticks and stones”? Whoever jumps at these chances to out another for racism even when it is obvious that there was nothing racial implied obviously has a problem with anger management.
We need to get a grip when it comes to things like this. The black faces of the performers on Hey Hey were not being racist…..they were performing a rip off of real black performers. I don’t care if the black paint on a white face angers people anywhere in the world…..look at what those faces were doing and saying and judge the racism on that. Lets not play into the hands of people with “point the finger” syndrome….it wastes time, makes the finger pointers look as stupid as they really are and impedes comedy which is something that we all need more of.
6 men of varied skin colour imitate 6 men with dark skin. To complete their act they blacken their faces. This is what has caused the outrage? So would the act have been okay to poor Harrys sensibilities if they had the wigs, the outfits and just a damn good spray tan instead- oh thats right most of them aren’t white australian anyway so they don’t need the spray tan. He said they couldn’t do that in the US- well hello- they are not in the US, the US probably wouldnt let their parent emigrate – so they cam here and have all become specialist medical practitioners instead. More loss to the US. And we are glad they are here in Australia and feel comfortable enough with themselves and their place to get up on stage and re-do an act they did as students 20 years ago. This was not racist. Harry is overly sensitve and but for his presence, this act, well may be considered not funny, bad taste, actually funny – the same as many of the Hey Hey acts- but for Harrys comments, there would not have been one line in the meia about this act. God forbid if political correctness of Harrys type takes over australian tv. That is the best thing about Oz, freedom of expression, bad taste, black face or otherwise- see the footy show for example- personally i find it offensive, boring and stuck in the mysoginist past- so I don’t watch it- but I would in no way want it removed just because i find it offensive – eventually even the footy show will have a use by date- maybe. And for goodness sake, the US has a black president, I dont think they have to worry about black people being protrayed as buffoons any more.
People – this is NOT about Harry Connick Junior.
That’s all.
To address Jaunita: I was laboring under the misapprehension that having Black Skin was enough to qualify a revered opinion on a riciculous theatrical devive of the last century. I assume nothing about it. Apart from the hideousness of it’s creation and original intention, it could now be seen merely as a revealing anachronsim – alot like the Hey Hey reunions themselves. I think the two pretty much went hand-in-hand – that second reunion show stands as a testament to where a vast mass of australia is still mired.
Simon: interesting, as wikapeadia says Harry Connick is 1/15 black russion.
everyone keeps saying that if Harry Connick Jr wasn’t on the show it wouldn’t have been a big deal. 20% of people watching the show did find it offensive though… something would’ve been said anyway. you can’t blame him.
What has happened to people ?? Some forums are full of “dont meant to offend”, “sorry if this causes offence”, “sorry” and “you are racist”, “that, they & this is racist”, seems apologising and overhtinking things has become a fixation of modern society.I think it is just another “americanism” a country full of obsessive ambulance chasers.Simply put the skit was making fun of the jacksons(hence the crotch grabbing) and they just happen to be black, it was not about laughing at black people but it is a caricature acts so basic and obvious “cue” features are exaggerated.I think people are worrying WAY too much about what was just a bit of silly fun that last a matter of moments and ONL:Y got attention because an American was offended.
Robyn, I can assure you that HEy Hey being the nature of what it is 20% of people probably find every joke offensive, every showing!! So what! Some people are so sensitive and so offended by things so often that it is a wonder they dont jump off a cliff.Harden the hell up .
People are so stupid!!
Lee and EVERYONE else that has got excited and emotional before knowing the facts…THEY WERE NOT “WHITE” MEN DRESSED UP AS BLACK, feel better now ?
geez, people can be dumb!
Look, Imma Let You Finish, But Harry Connick Jr had the best Blackface OF ALL TIME!