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Harry Connick Jr Offended By Australian TV Skit
October 7th, 2009
Harry Connick Jr has made a special guest appearance on a live episode of Australian TV show Hey Hey It’s Saturday - and he was so offended by one of the skits on the program that he told host Daryl Somers, “If I knew that was going to be part of the show, I probably – I definitely – wouldn’t have done it.” UPDATE: Video of the skit after the jump.
Connick Jr appeared on the iconic Australian show, which aired as part two of a reunion special on Wednesday (October 7), to sing a couple of songs and judge ‘Red Faces’, a skewed talent show.
‘Red Faces’ acts are typically silly and goofy, and this episode featured an act Jackson Jive, a parody of the Jackson Five.
It involved a group of six men who danced around with their faces painted black. The group had appeared on the show doing the same skit 20 years earlier, and were performing their act again for as part of the reunion line-up.
Connick Jr sat stony-faced throughout Jackson Jive’s performance and gave them a score of 0 out of 10, commenting that in the United States, the show would have been pulled off the air if such a skit had been played.
Later in the show, host Daryl Somers commented, “I think we may have offended you with that act, and I deeply apologize on behalf of all of us – because I know that to your countrymen, that’s an insult to have a blackface routine like that on the show, so I do apologize.”
Connick Jr, who has appeared on the show several times in the past, responded:
“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,” he said.
“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.”
He added, “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 pair seemed to move on, as Somers then presented Connick Jr an ‘honorary cast member’ award in recognition of his contribution to the program over the years.
Hey Hey It’s Saturday was a long-running variety show in Australia that ran for 28 years, from 1971 through to 1999. Channel 9 commissioned a two-episode reunion special that aired September 30 and October 7; due to strong ratings, there is the possibility that the show will return full-time.
On Twitter? So are we! @celebritytruth.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I used to like Harry…until watching his performance on Hey Hey it's Saturday. He has succesfully brought his own narrow minded, politically correct anal American views into a show that was simply imitating a black American group. They ARE black, they HAVE black hair…I don't see what was so offensive. I love Michael Jackson and would be the first one to turn off a show that makes fun of who he was and what he stood for. I do not see how this Jackson parody act wasany but light entertainment. Good God…people need to lighten up!!! Did Harry not know he is in AUSTRALIA…thankfully we are not yet like Americans. He spoilt my viewing of a great entertaining show.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Blackface is incredibly offensive to black people. It really doesn't matter what you think about it, Karen L. It offends them, and if you're going to appear on television you should probably research your material and whether it could offend anyone. Poor planning from Hey Hey, but credit to Harry and Daryl for how they handled it.
Karen, would you then try to go up to a black person and convince them they shouldn't be offended by being called the N word?
October 7th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Blackface is incredibly offensive to black people. It really doesn't matter what you think about it, Karen L. It offends them, and if you're going to appear on television you should probably research your material and whether it could offend anyone. Poor planning from Hey Hey, but credit to Harry and Daryl for how they handled it.
Would you then try to go up to a black person and convince them they shouldn't be offended by being called the N word?
October 7th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
yeh i understand americans are very sensitive about this issue, but as a indigenous aussie i thought it was just light hearted fun and was not offended at all, i am black and love it, like im sure white people love being white, what are we suppose to pretend we are something we are not. It did spoil the show the way he reacted and im so glad we aussie's arent so up tight and live in a more relaxed tolerant country. Bring back hey hey fulltime and put it back on saturday night, great fun family entertainment.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I think it needs to be taken in the context that it was intended. Obviously we in Australia don't have the baggage in relation to this type of stuff that the United States may have, but be that as it may it would be unfair to criticise Daryl or this show based on a set of community expectations that don't really apply in this country to that extent. I'd put it down to cultural differences.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Just because someone takes offence to something Troy, doesn't mean you should not do it! If I was offended by you eating beef, would you stop for me? Why not? Why you support the banning of all beef ads on television for me? Why not?
There was nothing racist about this skit at all.
If black people find it offensive, they need to harden the f#$k up (thats what we do in Australia).
October 7th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I didnt hear anyone being called the "N'" word. Maybe I should be offended by males impersonating female singer's or Jo Beth Taylor diplaying more leg than what was necessary!!! Do we need to conduct a Nation wide survey on what every person finds offensive and make sure this research is reflected in all our programs. As much as I appreciate your views I am so over the amount of thought,energy and political correctness that has taken over all aspects of our lives. I was offended that the guy who was burping came second……his manners were not teaching my children good habits!!!! As I said, people need to lighten up….hmmm is that also offensive?
October 7th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I think if you and you're race were enslaved for 500 years you would think differently.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I agree with Sam. The blackface routine is specifically associated with slavery and mockery of African Americans.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Get over it harry such a serious world, stupid Americans and there political correctness
October 7th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Im from Australia and I thought it was still a LITTLE to early for ANY kind of Michael Jackson skit…. BUT if its SOOO rude and disrespectful to Americians if ANYONE does a "Blackface" routine, How come they Wayan Brothers movie "White Chicks" with 2 Africian/Americans dressed up as "White" chicks isnt offensive then????
Im not being a smartarse im just asking WHY is there a difference
October 7th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Well, women have/had been oppressed a lot longer than 500 years and I've nothing against men dressing up as ladies for a hoot (or otherwise). If you were doing a skit on Pamela Anderson you'd get a blonde wig and get some make-shift boobs.
If whites do a send up skit of their heroes, who happen to be black, you look a bit odd being white and not even trying. Race, for the vast majority of us, is clearly not the scary issue here as it is there. Sad.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
You'd think with Obama in the Whitehouse that they'd finally moved beyond this kind of B.S political correctness.. and to impose his cultural beliefs on ours is plain arrogance on his behalf.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Whites were not made slaves you fool!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
If an entire race takes offence to something which is quite commonly known to be racist, then yes
October 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Michael, read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface
I'm Australian but we can't excuse it by claiming that Americans are hypersensitive, especially when you consider history. Part of the reason why Australia is seen as racist is because there is such a prominence of racial/cultural enclaves. You don't even have to consider history, why did the face that they're all black have to come into consideration – it is offensive to distinguish/discriminate amongst humans by race/skin colour. Obviously it was unintentional, but there is no doubt it was racist.
This is something that deserves the media's attention – atleast it might raise awareness – as opposed to, i don't know, the uproar from a celebrity interrupting another celebrity's speech for some award.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Cat you're ignorant.
men dressing up as women is sooo completely different. you clearly have no knowledge of what blackface actually represents. it was a "comedic" device used in the time of black oppression to make fun of black people. It was used in a completely racist way. If men dressing up as women had even half of the meaning that this has then i think you would be appalled by it.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
There are plenty of racial enclaves in Australia, but that doesn't mean that we are racist. People tend to feel more comfortable in places that they are familiar. And in a foreign country, these places are few and far between. The reasons that there is a concentration of people of Italian descent in places like Leichhardt or Carlton (or many suburbs in Melbourne's inner north) or Asian descent in Box Hill and Springvale, or Greeks in Melbourne etc. is because various factors that have impacted their choice. It's not because of some racist government policy that dictates where immigrants may or may not live.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Yes it was, in the United States, not so in Australia. It would be unfair to hold us to account based on the expectations of the United States in relation to this issue.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I think Harry Connick Junior is a nigger loving asswipe, and he can get fucked. Coons do a good job of making themselves look like 'buffoons' all on their own.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
for shit sake people ,not all black people are related to michael jackson! it's a bit of comedy !! good on ya karen and allison for speaking you mind! i now think after watching the show that harry connick jn. is a wanker!!!!! i'm proud to be australian and i'm proud to say i'm a fan of hey hey it's saturday. i wish it would come back!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
It's not ignorance. We're not America. Expecting each country to know the ins and outs of every other countries taboos, and then to adopt those same taboos as their own, is ridiculous.
Skin colour is just a trait like hair colour, and eye colour. I think equality would be embracing this, and letting people portray the character they want if the character themselves is not a vicious attack against an entire culture or race.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Troy dressing up as a black man… is completely different to using the N word… explain why 20 years ago (when racial prejudice was a widely talked about issue.. especially in australia) no uproar occured??
I am completely against any form of racism and would be offended if a racially vilifying skit occured but this was clearly done in good humor.
If Harry is going to appear in our country and on our shows then he should accept our humor for what it is… sure tell the audience that it wouldnt be accepted in America but dont look down upon the skit when your in another country of which you obviously do not know too much about!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Hmm, so many of you seem to be confused as to what 'Blackface' stood for. It was never used in equal humor between black and white people. It was used as an insult and mockery of the many years black people spent as slaves and as second class citizens. It was still used recently in the times when black people weren't able to sit down on the bus or drink from the same fountains as white people or when it was nothing to call a black person the "N word". Those times have changed and now whenever a blackface performance is shown, it is associated with all those racist tactics of the past.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
How is it racist at all? These guys were performing as the Jackson 5. The black faces were part of the costume. It has nothing to do with the history of that particular race. Did you want them to go out there with their white faces? That would've gone well.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
so what if a black man painted his face white nothing would have been said, we have aboriginals in Australia aswell so its not just about america is a bit of fun, hes just a typical american hehe
October 7th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
No, because white people never endured hundreds of years of slavery or were subject to racist behavior.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I'm sorry but are you an idiot?
October 7th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
It's gotta be about intention guys. If it was intended to be racist then….IT WAS.. However I doubt anyone can say that it was.
Good on Darryl for handling his guest the way that he did. If someone get offended by something…sort it out and be a man. Don't say "tough sh*t". As Aussies we're grown up enough to apologise for offending someone…but (if you notice) not say that we did something wrong. I think it was handled well and everyone moved on.
Oh and whoever said it was too soon for Michael Jackson jokes…c'mon that's how us Aussies deal with anything bad…make jokes about it! Remember how soon Steve Irwin jokes came out.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Here here! Agree!
October 7th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I suppose offence taken is in the eye of the beholder as some black men were known to participate in the whole blackface thing as well.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Harry Connick should have kept his trap shut. He tainted the remainder of the show and offended everyone in my household. I won't be buying any of his CDs or seeing any of his movies. His behaviour was totally inappropriate. If he's pc that's his problem – it was obvious the audience wanted to see the rest of the skit. Talk about taking yourself too seriously…Has anyone who's on their pc soapbox here properly replied to Michael who was wondering about the racism in the movie "White Chicks" – I don't see anyone making a valid comment there. Or that wasn't racism because for it to be racism you have to historically have been enslaved and we all know that white people were never enslaved??? Don't we?? Weren't they….?
October 7th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Bang on the money. Now this is an intelligent, worldly comment. Good on you Pete
October 8th, 2009 at 1:28 am
I think that probably they did think painting their faces was just part of the Jackson five costume, not a racist act. And surprising as it may be with all the American tv on our sets Australians especially young Australians are unaware of the history and meaning of potraying black face makeup. Harry not surprisingly was offended. However robert Downey jnr recently potrayed a black man in tropic thunder and there is a movie called white chicks, so it is ok to make any character a buffoon ?
I guess you have to ask are they sending up the character black or white that should that be ok , we can all laugh at ourselves. I still love Harry though at least he is passionate about his beliefs.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
And did Harry Connick boycott the recent Hollywood blockbuster movie Tropic Thunder because Robert Downey Jnr painted his face black and talked in his best Uncle Tom accent to portray an African American..
OR DID HE GO ALONG TO THE PREMIERE AND LAUGH HIS ARSE OFF WITH EVERYONE ELSE
The hypocrisy is pathetic
October 7th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
The American public were so outraged over Robert Downey's recent blackface routine he was given an Academy award nomination.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
This is exactly why I love being an Australian! Thank you Allison :)
October 7th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
No it isn't. It's up to what they are doing while they are dressed that way. If they wanted to be like monks, how would you suggest they come out? If they want to be like Chinese how should they come out? They dress like them, if they can change their skin they do so, it's part of the ACT. It's only 'mockery' when they act like it, not when they're doing a pretty good skit of the Jackson 5!
October 7th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Exactly Josh "IN THE TIME".
They were impersonating not discriminating! Get over it!
October 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Do you people actually realise that they were taking off the Jackson 5, not making a racial stigmatisation? They weren't condemning the Jackson's or anyone who has different coloured skin, in this case African Americans, they were showing their appreciation for the artists and demonstrated how the Jackson 5 encouraged people to have a good time.
We don't use the term 'Blackface' in Australia, and I hadn't heard of it until tonight.
How come the uproar is purely about the Jackson family, why not about any of the other jokes on the show, like the ones about Khamal, and how people who are overweight were referred to as being 'fitness trainers'?
Yes, racism is bad, however, the act was not conducted in a racial manner. Try to see past being Politically Correct, you might actually start to smile.
October 7th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
If a group of 5 black people went on Red Faces, painted their faces white and impersonated, for example, The Backstreet Boys, complete with stereotypical boy-band hairstyles I would find it hilarious. The moonbat left-wing bleeding hearts find new ways to cheapen the meaning of the word "racism" every day. Using their loon logic, if that Red Faces act is indeed racist then Harry Connick Jr must also be racist because he only objected to them doing it because they're white.
October 7th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Fact is it represents a time when blacks were not alowed to perform in certain venues in the states so white – mainly jewish guys, would put on the shoe polish and caricaturize blacks. Yes I'm sure you'd see the humor in being cast as a fat convict slob in a cork-hat and thongs with a can of beer in hand – but i've seen enough Aussies in tears or throwing punches overseas for touching on exactly those emotions.
October 7th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Troy the 'N' Word was not used in the skit so i don't know why you had to bring that up
Timmy Edgar <– Australian
October 7th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
It is offensive.
October 7th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
when did an entire race stand up and say that they were offended brother
Timmy Edgar <– Australian
October 7th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
i agree Michael and to add to that Robert Downey Jr played the role of a black american soldier in that stupid spoof movie 'Tropic Thunder' not a peep was said about that flick so why so different
Timmy Edgar <– Australian
October 7th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
it aint about being P.C. or American – its understandinf where that act came from and what it represents. Please, do some research on the subject.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
just becauss its on a Australian t.v. station – does not make it Australin humor – the vegimite kid is red faces – not millionaire doctors in shoe polish……..maybe a good thing they cant be identified
October 7th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
lets just all relax and hug each other it happened the producers of the show appologised im sorry your sorry leave it at that
Timmy Edgar <– Australian
October 7th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Bugger off harry, nik off back to the states you twit.
As an australian of Greek background i find it offensive for harry to complain about our ways. Would we consider someone dressing up in greek costume as offensive, what about dressing up as an asian and a dragon. No we wouldnt, nor would the greeks or asians in australia complain about it. They would laugh it off. I am sick and tired of AUSSIES playing the race card. I bet most of them are new imports anyway.
Im telling these so called aussies that havent got anything else to bitch about that they should get a life, pull ya heads in and shut up. Only ones being ebbarrased here is us, by our own stupid politicaly correct comments. If you dont like our ways, get a passport and take your views elsewhere.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
oh, by the way, seems its ok for robert downy junior to play a black man in tropic thunder,. harry you should have been in that movie. – TWO FACE!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
lets just all relax and hug each other it happened the producers of the show appologised im sorry your sorry leave it at that
October 7th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I didn't know it was okay to have a minstrel show on prime tv anymore, and to make it even better they performed the same act back in 1989, that's the icing on the cake. They must be big fans of Al Jolson too. Bravo Harry and well said!
October 7th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
The objective of the movie "Tropic Thunder" was to satirize Hollywood. RDJ character was to parodize extreme Method acting and make fun of white actors who take parts that should have gone to a black actors; like Jolie in "A Mighty Heart". The act was in all skewering insufferable actors. Do you really think Hollywood is concerned about racial equality? If they were, more black filmmakers would be funded.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Also I find it HILARIOUS that Australia is claiming exemption from racism when I am pretty sure your government JUST apologized for the Stolen Generation last year. And wasn't it in Australia that Indian kids were attacked? Or the Cronulla riots in 2005?
Do you guys in Australia even realize that along with your reputation for being a great country with beautiful scenery and a laid-back atmosphere comes a perception that the rest of the world has that you guys are probably the most racist country of all the Commonwealth countries? Look at the way you have and do treat your indigenous people – America is certainly just as guilty of hate crimes and oppression of the native populace, but at least in America, there's an awareness and a desire to move away from that.
Judging by these comments, it doesn't make me very hopeful for you lot, though.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Yes, we are racist here in Australia. So much so we no longer allow our kids to sing Christmas carols at school as to not offend the Muslims. We now sing bah bah rainbow sheep so not to offend aboriginies.
We don’t allow kids to wear religious items if they are Christian. Easter is also out the door. KFC won’t sell bacon in many stores. Yes we are very racist over here; we go to the lengths of removing our own beliefs and ways to accommodate immigrants. Oh, did I mention I’m of Greek decent? And Stan, we really don’t give a rat’s ass what you may think over there. Maybe the cause of such violent acts towards Indians ect ect is the direct result of Aussies being intimidated by outsiders like yourself and politically correct politicians who keep telling us that everything that we are, everything we have ever believed in is worthless and we must step aside for everyone else and their beliefs. I’d say its Aussies finally fighting for their way of life. I bet if we had a referendum here we would stop immigration completely. And we don’t need a American wanker telling us how to such eggs. Dont come here. We really don’t want you Harry, and going by the public backlash, its all going against you now m8. Bloody tossa
October 7th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
It's different because of the tradition of the Minstrel Show: "Minstrel shows lampooned black people in mostly disparaging ways: as ignorant, lazy, buffoonish, superstitious, joyous, and musical."
October 7th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
There were many "peeps" about Tropic Thunder. Some people DID find it offensive, but there were some important distinctions. RDJ wasn't playing a black soldier, he was playing an actor that was playing a black soldier, satirizing the absurdity of many method actors and exploiting African American culture. The whole POINT of the character was that he was doing something ridiculous and offensive.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Wow. The comments made by Australians on this topic are so ignorant! It's like you guys are 30 years behind the rest of modern society. Take a trip to the US and you'll understand more why this is completely and utterly offensive. And, seriously, if the people defending this pathetic skit (there was nothing entertaining about it, racist or not) aren't over 60 years old, there's something wrong with you. This is 2009 and information is at your fingertips. Stop thinking like your silly racist grandparents and use your brains.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I think you're more offended that the character was really an Aussie asshole too arrogant to realize how offensive he was being. The truth hurts, babe.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:29 am
We are not in America and we are not American, thank goodness, all they do is invade other peoples countries and expect Australia and other countries troops to go in and clean up the carnage they have made. Harry you don’t like our ways then don’t come here, we really don’t need you here, we have enough Australian talent to entertain us, look at your own country first before you start judging others.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
If that were true, they might have actually performed. Have you seen any real Michael Jackson impersonators? They tend to be good mimics and great dancers who don't cork their faces to impersonate their idol. This was trash. Even worse, poorly performed trash. You people are just embarrassing yourselves by defending it. You're lucky that someone as talented as Harry Connick Jr. bothered to show up for that nonsense at all.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
"Maybe the cause of such violent acts towards Indians ect ect is the direct result of Aussies being intimidated by outsiders like yourself and politically correct politicians who keep telling us that everything that we are, everything we have ever believed in is worthless and we must step aside for everyone else and their beliefs."
You are either the master of irony or just proved my point.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Have you ever seen real Michael Jackson impersonators? They tend to be good mimics and great dancers who don't cork their faces to impersonate their idol. This was trash. Even worse, poorly performed trash. You people are just embarrassing yourselves by defending it. You're lucky that someone as talented as Harry Connick Jr. bothered to show up for that nonsense at all.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Just another American who thinks that their opinion can influence other Nations. Here we have an American trying to educate other nations on 'racism' , not that there was anything racist about this comedy act. Harry Connick obviously has no sense of humor and needs to go re-educate himself on American history. Americans pretty much invented the KKK, they use to lynch black people in the streets for the fun of it, and even with a black president, America is still the same old trash filled wanker breeding grounds it has always been.
Good on ya Harry, for reminding me how much of a twat you are.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
He was playing an ignorant AUSSIE actor who put on blackface because he was too arrogant to realize how offensive it was. The joke was that he was so respected as an actor he would be hired over a qualified black actor for the role of a black man. Get it?! The film was a takeoff on Hollywood stupidity and rewarding assholes for being assholes. Did you not watch the whole thing? He was Australian, guys. He was meant to be a Heath Ledger type who goes too far with his performance.
Satire. It's meant for people with intelligence.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Wow they painted their faces black, harry needs a tissue and a brain.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Keep ya boring American opinions in racist America.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Are you serious — bringing Obama into this? Would you have said the same thing if this had happened last year when Bush was in office? You really have no idea how stupid this stuff makes your country look, do you? The world is watching… you'll see. There's a reason why your successful countrymen all move to the U.S. once they hit it big.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
The UK banned blackface twenty-odd years ago. What's Australia's excuse?
October 7th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
HAHA, More Americans who think they own the world and everyone & everything in it. What a bunch of inbred idiots. When things don't go the Americans way they just drop bombs, yes real progress that country has made, lmao, considering they are still a bunch of trigger happy hicks with only a small percentage of them with enough intelligence to actually find Australia on a World Map.
America is the most racist country on Earth, has been for a long time, and will continue to be. They come commenting here trying to full your heads with more American trash, (we got enough on our tv already thanks) and try to lie and say that they have made progress. What progress ?
October 7th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
The objective of the movie "Tropic Thunder" was to satirize Hollywood. RDJ character was to parodize extreme Method acting and make fun of white actors who take parts that should have gone to a black actors; like Jolie in "A Mighty Heart". The act was in all skewering insufferable actors. Do you really think Hollywood is concerned about racial equality? If they were, more black filmmakers would be funded.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Carson,
What's our excuse ?
We're not the U.K.
I knew you were stupid but c'mon now, i didn't think you were that dumb.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
So, if they had come out with big straw hats on, buck teeth, and slit eyes and said "ching ching chong" that would have been all right with you too? What century are you living in?! This stuff is OFFENSIVE! Only someone who is living in a bubble wouldn't be aware of it.
And that skit was awful. Bad dancing, bad singing, bad everything. In addition to your massive ignorance, you have no taste.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Obviously to you racism doesn't exist in Australia. What a pure continent? You can eradicate it, but that doesn't mean your "racist". No way.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
this was an aussie show directed at us aussies.. we dont have the racial problems america has and im offended as an aussie to be slammed about this..we are not a racist country… and it was in a fun context… i think americans should shut up and deal with their own racial crap over there… what next???
October 7th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
get over it… how does 5 guys dressed as the jacksons have anything to do with black face… get a grip.more important stuff in life to worryabout… and i thought harry was a great guy..im thinking twice about that……go home harry.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Hey you fools, three of the black dancers are actually black…. Does that now make it only half as bad. Damn outsiders trying to tell us aussies how to suck eggs. Piss off and take Harry with you.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
As a white Australian I'm more offended at the Jackson 5 reference than the whole black debate and racism. It was in poor taste either way JMO.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Harry Connick Jnr has been on the show so many times before that he should have recalled Red Faces acts being silly, commonly talentless and often irreverant. Perhaps such a big deal wouldn't have been made of this if he had spoken up during the judging panel with a little more conviction instead of trying to be funny 'it's be hey hey there's no more show' then insisting on an apology afterwards. If he justified his zero score at the time with an explanation of why it would have given everyone a chance to make a more dignified recovery.
He's within his rights to be offended by whatever he chooses and to speak up if he has the inclination, it's just a shame that a warped version of Australia's overall attitude to racism is being brought to the media's forefront by what is the equivalent of a primary school talent contest!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
But we HAVE apologised, and current teachings and attitudes all indicate an awareness and 'desire to move away from it' just as you say the US is. A 2 minute TV skit is hardly representative of the whole country falling into racism hell. Plus it only took us 200 years to apologise, not the 500 odd it took for awareness to grow in the US. :p We're obviously still learning from older countries mistakes.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
who cares if you are australian or chinese…Black Face is wrong and racist.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
i thought doctors were supposed to be smart
October 7th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Good on you Allison. I agree entirely. We need to grow up and stop living life in the past, and taking everything so seriously. The fact that Harry dumbed down the show and his own reputation by presuming this skit was derogitory displayed a mentality carried over from early last century. I loved the fact that 6 medical students from 20 years ago who are now successful medical professionals had such a good sense of humour to come back and repeat the skit, and even updated it a little (many have missed the fact that "Michael" was not so black!). Shame on the Americans who don't share our good natured humour. Lighten up a little guys and relax – you'll enjoy life a bit more.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Not sure where you're from Stan. But i live in the UK and there have been plenty of racist attacks here. Murders actually. And rthere have been riots in Wigan, Birmingham Oldham that make Cronulla look like a bar room brawl. I don't think Australia is claim exemption from racism. And two of the guys who took part in this skit were actually of Indian background. As for apologies, I don't believe the US government has ever apologised to the African American for taking people from their families.
But this was just a skit. And there are for more racist actions than this that happen on a daily basis. It's a non story.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Black faces offend black people? Who mention the N word? You. From a country that used to enslave people. Not Australia or Australians.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
it wasnt a minstrel show it was the jackson 5 how else does one portray them? get it into context
October 7th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Only in America because you enslaved people in your history. We didn't – this was in Australia. You know, we aren't actually American believe it or not
October 7th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I am appalled that so many of you seem to think there is nothing wrong with black-face and "golliwog" representations of black people. Personally I am highly offended by it and I admire Harry Connick Jr for speaking up. The international press is starting to pick this story up and are just as shocked and disgusted that – as they see it – Australian's are so backward that they still think this is acceptable. This is not how I want the world to view Australia but judging by the attitudes I'm reading here, this is exactly how Australia wants to see itself. It makes me ashamed to be one of you.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
"Black face is wrong and racist". I hope people who are saying this are actually black, because I have never heard a more racist thing. A black face is just a face, the same as a white one. Men dress up as women and this is not sexist in itself. It is the context that make things racist, sexist or otherwise.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
i gives up 3 times i have tried to have my say and 3 times its been deleted by administrator and i have no idea why no bad language no racist words words in it that others have used . how the heck do i have my say
October 7th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
why should we be ashamed of ourselves for sending up a singing group? after all thats what it was nothing more. ands those who are offended need to stop being so precious stop making mountains out of mole hills and toughen up princess.
I think people of colour are gorgeous love them this isnt about skin colour its about sending up a singing group . get with it people the world is becoming racist against people who arent of colour
Harry is a hypocritical he did a send up of australians and the australian accent, a while back , no different realy if people are going to view the skit in the negative way.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
why should we be ashamed of ourselves for sending up a singing group? after all thats what it was nothing more. and those who are offended need to stop being so precious stop making mountains out of mole hills and toughen up princess.
I think people of colour are gorgeous love them this isnt about skin colour its about sending up a singing group . get with it people the world is becoming racist against people who arent of colour
Harry is hypocritical he did a send up of australians and the australian accent, a while back , no different realy if people are going to view the skit in the negative way.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I think context is the key word here. Australians are not racist, we just have a different sense of humor. The show is supposed to be a laugh, that's the context of the show, nothing more. So being offended by it is fair enough, but at the end of the day it is only on air in Australia, where black, white or yellow, it doesn't offend anyone really. We just have different views on this stuff, largely because of the different history we have in Australia to America. I don't think it's fair for foreigners to say that Australians are racist, you just need to spend a couple of days here to understand. It is a very multicultural society that is highly accepting.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
amen amen amen well said
October 7th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
harry you and your american mates wanna lighten up GET A LIFE
October 7th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
perhaps some old footage of flour being poured over kemahls head would have been the iceing on the cake. grow up aussies. times change. the idea is to get smarter not to be proud of maintaining stupidity.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
You've replied directly to the threads and it appears under the recent posts if you click /'replies/ you'll see them.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
lets not mention this is great advertising for harrys new album. HMM, sounds very much like a musician milking this for all he can get. after today harry, you best stay out of australia.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Oh Harry, take a spoon full of cement and harden up !!
October 8th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Racism is town planning that allows excesive Alcohol and Gun shops in Black/Hispanic suburbs. Not a bunch of guys, in a comedy skit, pretending to be a Rich Pop Group who happen to be Black. The only comedy here is the US telling Australia that they are racist. Still waiting for the uproar at Eddie Murphy painted faces as Chinese, Whites etc etc.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I agree with the point that it was sending up a singing group – not a race. If they'd been impersonating Take That or something and prancing around in designer clothing people would have laughed and gotten on with their lives. I'm sure there wouldn't have been uproar about the vilification of the poor English who have been lumbered with bad weather for the past squillion years. I appreciate that making the blackface person out to be a 'buffoon' would have racist implications but I think this is somewhat overblown.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
You don't invite a man onto your programme, then subject him to something that is OBVIOUSLY offensive to him, given his culture and profession.
Did Harry randomly pipe up about an utterly unrelated situation? No, he didn't. But he was forced to comment on this one because HE WAS THERE. He was a guest! He's a Southerner who works in the music and entertainment industry — it's pretty much the perfect storm for "reasons why you should not do the blackface skit for this guy".
Aussies, he didn't impose his culture on you. YOU pulled up a horrific part of HIS culture and made him participate on live TV.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
good point about eddie murphy but we still need to have cultural sensitivity and awareness whether we like it or not, saying anything otherwise is just ignorance. Im ashamed to be living in this country and good on Harry Cornick Jnr,
October 7th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
black artist all over the world use the word "Nigger" in their movies & music, yet a light hearted skit like this causes so much outrage & offense,get over it,Harry Connick Jr is just after some quick publicity,this is all it is about,people need to lighten up and take a look at them selves,are we that hard up, first kyle sutherland,mel gibson on the jews, get ova it.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Blah Blah Blah, Go home Harry Nobody, bloody sook get out of our country, and dont come back until you get a backbone !!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Troy.. I am black & i was not at all offended by teh blackfaces on red faces last nite. I never understood the offence peopel took to it. same when they took out the gollywogs biscuits off the shelf! it's not a direct racsit slur.. get thicker skin.. if we all lived in a PC world.. how boring & perdictable life would be. I dont want the same views as other narrow-minded people out there! i am who i am whether peopel see me as black or not or based their judgement on me by my achievments itr's their call. but i live for myself and dont need others to defend the colour of my skin!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Josh,you idiot, it was comedy,nothing to do with black opression or making fun of black people,you are the ignorant one,they were having some fun ( at michael jacksons expense,and was he black or white,you are a moron !!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Whites were not slaves? Um you need some history lessons. About 1 million in north Africa thanks to the Moors. And hundreds of thousands were sailed to Australia as convicts to help build a new British colony. Even the Romans has millions of white slaves. It's part of every country's history I'm afraid. Many convicts in Australia were transported for the crime of being Irish or just too poor – the real criminals stayed in the UK. The irish had their language banned, their religion discriminated against and were considered the lowest of all races. Up until the 1960s in the UK they had signs on shops reading " no blacks, irish or dogs"
Perhaps those of us who have irish ancestors should be black and then we may have your sympathy right? PC has just created a generation of hypercrits who simply display their lack of education.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
You have a point, but not sure about who is imposing their culture on the other. It was in Australia so perhaps it was insensitive – but not racist. "Aussies, he didn't impose his culture on you." – um – what? Thats exactly what he did. I'll say it again – WE didn't enslave people – only you did.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
who cares about america,who makes them the all mighty voice of the people,we are aussie,so who cares what harry the half witt thinks,who gives a shit,it was a skit & funny as ,so good no you blackface,keep up the good work,and tell the do gooders & knockers to go live in america or go to hell
October 7th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
The point is: Racism is an INTENTED action. Anyone who thinks that these Doctors who just re-united to perform the same song they did as Medical Students 20 years ago, did it as a racist act is indeed IGNORANT. Did you know that the lead singer is Indian and that HC Jnr. has done skits in the past where he sends up Australian accents in a "Dingo stole my Baby!" way. We laughed then and no-one complained. This is a ridiculous waste of time, fight real Racism!….I won't spend another minute thinking about that skit.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Well said Karen what alot of rot for such a small opinion. harry implied in his own words that the skit was portraying buffoons he was the one that brought a derogatory comment to light. Obviously this is not the intention of the performers and no I am no longer a fan of HCJ
October 7th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Thank god i live in australia, this was a bit of fun, no malice or reprocussions for the black race, if a african american wanted to impersonate steve irwin they would need to paint thier skin white and get blond wigs, Australia would think its great not a racist insult, grow up and stop whinging it is your childish attitudes and not being able to laugh at things that results in so much violence and hate in your country. Australia- Love it or Leave it lol!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Harry Connick Jr. is getting exactly what he wanted,free publicity,whether it be good or bad,it is still publicity
if you realy think about it,he comes from a country which makes movies & music which refer to themselves as bitches ,niggers,dogs,and then he has the nerve to stand on is high moral horse and criticise our tv shows,come on to much has been made of this,it is all about publicity for a not so good singer/actor..
October 7th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
I didn't even consider race until his comments. I think HE made this a racist issue by so publicly stating his feelings. I don't dispute he was upset but I think he was partly covering his own behind by saying something in case the clip made it to You Tube and as a result would cop backlash from people in the States if he said nothing. All he has creating is a forum to hack on Aussie's which is a bit racist in itself as far as I'm concerned.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
I'm a historian and as it turns out the ANZACS that landed at Gallipoli were buffoons that could barely fire a gun, were undiscipled and spent the early part of their training in Egypt running a muck in brothels, consuming copious amounts of alcohol and embarrassing Imperial command. I'd like to do a skit on Hey Hey paroding the 'REAL ANZACS' and see how 'tolerant' and 'lighty hearted' you ignorant Australians are then!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Australians, so damn backward! I'm going to do a skit on Hey Hey soon. I'll be paroding the incompetent, unitelligent and non embarrassing ANZAC soldier that landed at Gallipoli in 1915. The parody will reflect reality. Australians running a muck in Eygption brothels prioir to the campaign, heavy drinking and bone headed soldiery. Let's see how tolerant and light hearted you Aussies really are!
(I'm a historian incidently – and that's the reality as opposed to the myth that's been bestowed upon generations – just like a painted black face).
October 8th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Hey Hey has shown it belongs in the past. I am a 32 year old female Australian & I was offended as soon as they walked out on stage….There is a reason hey hey was axed in 1999, their jokes are no-longer relevant.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:51 am
The Jacksons have done more damage to the “black” cause than this harmless skit. Aboriginal Australians were given the vote well before African Americans. We didn’t import the Aboriginals to enslave them. We didnt leave Darwin without help after Cyclone Tracey the same way New Orleans was left after Katrina. If Americans feel bad when they see harmless skits like this, then perhaps that is because they feel guilt. Australia does not need to feel anywhere near as guilty as the US people.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
i think you will find that we as australians are well aware of what went on in the brothels etc during the war, but that does not dampen the fact they were heroes and i realy dont think anyone would find it offensive if you did that to be honest as we are all aware this is how things went on. so go for it i think australia is a country who can laugh at itself as well as with itself and if you cant then get some aussie spirit happening.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Good on ya Matt. Give it a shot buddy lol
October 8th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Harry, you represent Australia perfectly. Ignorant, indoctrinated, stupid and devoid of any perspective. In 50 years when the Chinese invade Australia and rape, pillage and enslave you, you'll understand.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Australians portrayed as incompetent and unintelligent? Is there a single American movie that doesn't portray Australians that way? A solider going to a brothel? Oh no… not quite putting a dog collar around a prisoner, humiliating and desecrating their beliefs like you do with your prisoners or combatants or political scape-goats. We have heard "a dingo got my baby" countless times – which is a true story of a lady jailed for years after her baby was eaten by a dingo… Very funny stuff I know… I think you'll find the only people that should be ashamed of themselves is the US and people like you that continually try to concern themselves with other countries when your own country is one of the most racist, oppressive and unethical countries on earth.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Especially considering the leader is of indian background and the others had multicultural backgrounds themselves!
October 8th, 2009 at 12:31 am
My 15-year-old neice laughed when I passed wind yesterday and I slapped her in the face and told her that, surely, after so many years, f@rts weren't funny anymore. The joke isn't relevant. Oh, unless humour is in the eye of the beholder i.e. Little Britain, Dave Letterman, BORAT, Married with Children, MASH. I feel confident that some people find things funny that others find offensive. Maybe I should apologise to my neice.
Also, when visiting the USA, make sure that you speak American, think American and act American. And if you are anywhere else in the world, do the same?!? No wonder the US is fading as a super-power!
October 8th, 2009 at 12:31 am
OMG I have just read all comments on this subject and cann not beleive the comments from both sides. I am a Australian with a Italian father and what I call a Heinz variety mother (She has English Scotish German and Affrican herratige) The skit could be seen as offensive (Not racist) but we ask that it be taken in context. It was not five guys getting up and singing "Mammy" or attemting to make blacks look silly. It was to make the performers look silly. As for comments that Aussies are racist look at all the facts before making comments about things like the Cronnulla riots or Indian students or oppologies to Aboriginals.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:37 am
What is the difference in this and the movie White Chicks? It's exactly the same. The two African American cops dress up as white blonde girls and behave in an unintelligent manner, but that's ok.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:38 am
So Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder? Why was the movie not taken out of US cinemas and off shelves in shops? Americans are so inconsistent in what is racism and what isn’t they are hard to take seriously.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:38 am
This was an Australian show in Australia. Americans seem to be super sensitive and overly polically correct. They don't even use the term 'negro' now. A person with an African background is a negro. I have no problem being called a caucasian and a chinese would not care about being an asian.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:43 am
[IMG]http://i33.tinypic.com/30j18bk.jpg/IMG
October 8th, 2009 at 12:45 am
I wonder if anyone has viewed the black painted face skit that harry the hypocrite did.Check out youtube to see it.no wonder this world is so fucked up.its not about racism its about the whole american political correctness bullshit that goes on in this world.people should lighten up and enjoy life not bitch about everything someone else does when trying to have fun…piss off AMERICA you kill joys
October 8th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Matt claiming you are a historian brings no more credibility to your analysis. We all know what happened at brothels before the soldiers went to war, and that includes Americans, British and Australians. And we all know the level of training that troops got from all nations in WW1 (actually where were the Yanks?). But if we are going to critisize Australian troops for not being crack shots lets have a look at the recent records of US troops shooting their own, bombing British troops, and blowing up friendly nations assets in former Yugoslavia.
Historian – you have to be kidding!
October 8th, 2009 at 12:46 am
Half the guys in the routine aren't white, they are Indian Australians. I'm guessing that makes a difference because everything is apparently so much more offensive when a white person says or does it. Harry Connick jnr is a douche bag. I'd say he was just worried about the backlash he would cop back home if it happened to get airplay and he said nothing. In Australia we don't ban people from anything due to their race but you people in America still do. The fact that most Australians didn't see it as anything racial and Harry Connick was so quick to jump on the racist band wagon speaks volumes about how he sees people.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:52 am
OH we are 30 years behind america???strange that in such a modernised fantastic country like america you still have black people living in tents and shelters in new orleans.how long ago was huricane katrina???I doubt if that was in hollywood that there would still be people out of there homes…wake up to yourself and look after your own backyard b4 you critisice anyone else…
October 8th, 2009 at 12:53 am
go have a look on youtube at harry the hypocrite video where he is sending up a black priest noone bagged him for it
October 8th, 2009 at 1:02 am
I was such a Harry Connick fan but he ruined the reunion of my favorite childhood show. He could have made his beliefs known without putting a dampener on the whole show. Now, instead of talking about what a great show it was, people are taking about this BS. What were these characters supposed to do? Come out in full Jackson 5 costume and white faces? It’s a fact that African people have dark skin, why is that offensive? Why aren’t all you 60 year old white women jumping up and down about that other act, the woman with the terrible voice? Obviously if these guys are portraying all black people as being buffoons then surely she is portraying all white women as having terrible voices? Double standards. This whole situation is a complete joke.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:07 am
Sorry to all you Americans for being so hung up on your own internal issues. The skit was meant to be fun ! not a racial statement.__Most of the participants were dark skinned and they seemed to be having fun.__We are a country of people that like to have fun, this skit was meant for Aussie audiences only.__You lot just stick to your 'Sex in the City' and that highly offensive Rap Crap. __Just worry about your own backyards. At least we don't have any white no-go areas here as I have been told not to go to by Hotel staff in LA, Chicago and New Orleans. We are not your 51st State.
and to Matt the historian – at least our Diggers have a good time before battle not getting high during battle.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:11 am
BAM!
October 8th, 2009 at 1:11 am
OH AND PS HARRY, DID YOU FORGET YOUR OWN BLACKFACE EFFORT ON MAD TV IN 1996?
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2009/10/1996-harry-co…
October 8th, 2009 at 1:15 am
My I ask was it offensive when a comedian dressed in a fat suit & did the overly exaggerated southern black woman routine?
Oh yeah I forgot that was 'Big Momma's House' and Martin Lawrence was the comedian and as he is black that is ok..!
October 8th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Pretty rich of Harry considering he did a ‘blackface’ skit http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2009/10/1996-harry-co…
October 8th, 2009 at 11:44 am
These are the same Americans who vilified the Dixie Chicks for having a political view in the land of free speech.
Who cares what Americans think – most don’t even know where Australia is anyway they are so uneducated.
Hey any Americans want to buy a bridge? LOL
October 8th, 2009 at 1:45 am
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.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:48 am
HYPOCRITE HARRY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooKaCbMvaZ0
October 8th, 2009 at 2:27 am
omg get a life it's not like a white guy trying to be bing crosby or kanye west saying i eat chicken cause i'm black it was just a skit being played by white guys and they did'nt change the lyrics to the song so how can it be racist? and what do dumb people like you listen to rap for when is made for blacks you stupid wiggers
October 8th, 2009 at 2:36 am
To the idiots saying "lighten up," when have you every seen a "black" person that is ACTUALLY black???? Brown-skinned people in America and Africa alike range in all shades of chocolate, so of course it's offensive to see a group of knuckle-heads roll around in paint the color of tar/asphalt and claim to be paying "tribute." Are you out of your mind? Even when Michael was 5, he was never the color of a tire, he was a chocolate brown. Or are Australians blind? Correct me if I'm wrong. It was a stupid skit and they were trying to be controversial and Harry put them in their place. So all those offended that those idiots got schooled on their own home turf should be the ones to "suck it up."
October 8th, 2009 at 2:54 am
WHO CARES!!! THE REUNION WAS CELEBRATING THE 38 years of HEY HEY!!! In 1996 Harry Connick Jr appeared on MAD TV Impersonating a black preacher! Which is more offensive, the jackson jive act or the hypocritical comments of Harry Connick Jr.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:15 am
Harry Connick Jr is the racist – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooKaCbMvaZ0
A white, or actually a non-black, person impersonating a black person is classed as racism. Harry = racist
Get 5-6 black guys dressed up with white face paint impersonating Boyzone of Backstreet Boys and this wouldn't even be news.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Err Choco, ever been to Nigeria or to Bouganville for that matter. Of course some people are really dark black (if that is a term). But I don’t think the shade is the issue in any case. The fact is they were not making fun of black people they were doing a skit, not unlike one Harry did himself but seems to forget.
Is a skit like this more harmful or instutionalised racism where police forces beat people of colour up, or judges who systematically give harsher penalties to non whites. perhaps Harry should look at the good ol’ New Orleans legal system – I believe he is pretty close to it given who his father is.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:38 am
Melissa you're a pan head! Explain how it was a mockery of slavery or how it mocked the entire African American population? It was a tribute to a band and their music which was light hearted fun, you along with Connick Jnr who bagged the skit have no sense of humour or sense of being Australian, pack your bags and take off to the States with the rest of those lifeless Yanks and good riddance to you bores.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Weird Al Jankovic anyone?
October 8th, 2009 at 3:53 am
it is interpreted as a blackface routine – so look up the definition of blackface, you idiot. Humour is subjective – someone's light-hearted fun is a whole population's mockery. Your 'sense of being Australian' is to make assumptions and criticisms of other cultures, that you know nothing about? Doesn't sound very 'Australian' – more like you are just a dickhead.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:09 am
[IMG]http://i38.tinypic.com/34orajl.jpg/IMG
October 8th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Yeah don't forget to catch Harry's blackface effort on MAD TV you pack of hypocritical yank wankers
October 8th, 2009 at 4:15 am
Just read the wikipedia link. The link actually says that Americans are hypersensitive and the black face is not as offensive in Europe as it is in the US. It is just a storm in a tea cup. Connick Jr is entitled to express his views but the skit was not intended to be racist and should be understood in the context it was portrayed and judged by Australian cultural standards and values and not American.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Calm down. It was only light hearted family entertainment.
Not only was hcj hypocritical performing as a black preacher on mad tv. The Fact i dont get is…… Harry Connick Jnr also got to see the FULL DRESS REHEARSAL of all ACTS before it went out on live tv………WHY, WHY, WHY, in the hell did he not complain about the SKIT before it went out live to air……I will tell you why….To create controversy and publicity. He knew this thing would go world wide. Make him look like a good guy to all his fellow Americans…..Good PR for him…..That is the reason he didnt speak up during rehearsals. If he really felt offended about racism he would have spoken up. but he didnt, so who is the real racist…..this show was innocent in it’s actions,no malice in it’s intentions, there is no way they would jeopardize a reunion special. So by feeding on the innocence of the show HCJ is quite hypocritical and cunning in his actions. Creating a storm in a tea cup. This story would never have existed otherwise.
October 8th, 2009 at 5:22 am
Good on you Allison. The pigment of a person's skin is irrelevant. It's their behaviours and attitudes that matter. I'm a Christian and love everyone, but I don't like their wrong/bad behaviour. Have you seen Harry HYPOCRITE Connick Jr. in video dressed up as a dark skinned preacher? You can google it. I was upset with his riduculous behaviour on Hey,Hey, but I'm REALLY upset now!!!
October 8th, 2009 at 5:43 am
The hypocrisy of American is amusing. Harry can p*** off back home if he can't handle a bit of humour. Are we expected to screen our shows to ensure they don't rub Americans the wrong way based on THEIR history. It's not AUSTRALIA's history guys. Perhaps you Americans can get over yourself trying to control the world, we don't exist solely to please you.
October 8th, 2009 at 5:58 am
You do realize its called a skit, and is not supposed to be taken seriously?
Total domination of your reply.
October 8th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Firstly, what was the necessity in pointing out the you're a historian… any person that went through schooling in Australia knows the history of the Anzacs. Secondly, of course our Anzacs weren't highly skilled in firing guns… they weren't born with the knowledge to fight a war. Alot of those men were young boys who faked their birthdate in order to rush of to war and fight alongside other countries. Atributing brothel visits and binge drinking to the Anzacs alone is sheer ignorance as I am sure many men of many nationalities were in the same boat. Those men fought for what we have today and to compare them to a silly comedy act on TV is disgraceful. You should be ashamed yourself and how can you describe yourself as a historian when you hold such biased and narrow minded views…
October 8th, 2009 at 6:01 am
telepathic powers!
October 8th, 2009 at 6:09 am
A man dressing as a woman to impersonate her……….. a white man dressing as a jackson five member to impersonate him… "Sooo completely different"? Sure, during times of tension a "blackface" routine may have been "completely racist", but when a group of (multicultural) men dress up in costume for the sake of performing a song how can you seriously say the were committing a racist act?
October 8th, 2009 at 6:30 am
Wow. So if it was brown paint it'd be ok? You've never seen a Nigerian or Sudaneese person? Trying to be controversial? You are a twit. If you knew anything about anything you'd know it was the same people that did the same skit 20 years ago – but don't let reality get in the way of your illogical rant. Good on ya Choco… what a lovely name by the way.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Fuck off back to the US Harry. What a wanker. And what a way to put a downer on a top show.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:51 am
When does Harry Connick apologize to all African Americans for his balckface skit on MAD TV?
October 8th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Harry Connick jr should never have been asked to be on the reunion it was him and his silly comments that have caused the problem. If he had said nothing it would not be in todays news. Would have much prefured to have had John Farnham on instead, Harry has no talent and no sence of humour, he should go back to the states and stay there! l would never buy any of his stuff.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:59 am
As an African American man I am glad Harry Connick voiced his unhappy thoughts and discomfort in a dignified way. I wonder how some Australians would feel if Americans made crude comical references, in a dance performance, characterizing and stereotyping Australia as nothing more than a criminal colony of the British. But then again, some with a "stiff upper lip" might find that entertaining and amusing. Go figure!
October 8th, 2009 at 7:18 am
As an African American man I am glad Harry Connick voiced his discomfort and objection in a dignified manner. I'm wondering how some Australians would have felt if Americans promoted Australia, in an a tacky dance performance, as nothing more than an over done criminal colony of the British. But then again some with a "stiff upper lip" might find that amusing and entertaining. Go figure.
October 8th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Harry you've never painted your face black have you, sure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPAsLMqRcqs
October 8th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Ha ha.. the preacher video is racing around the world on Youtube showing what a hypocrite Harry is.. I bet he wishes he had just had a bit of fun with it like everyone else on the planet that has ever done a skit of the Jacksons
October 8th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I can't believe he took offence. There are so many really serious things going on in the world get a life Harry!!!!
October 8th, 2009 at 8:18 am
who cares they are just being typical australians, if they want to remain backwards its their choice.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:19 am
The only offensive thing about it was the quality of the act. It was crap 20 years ago and hasn't improved.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:29 am
You know what? We would laugh. I can understand why African Americans would be offended though. But really guys, get over it. The race card is being seriously overplayed here.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Hahahaha! That is gold!
October 8th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Your referring to people as "shades of chocolate"…. I'm pretty sure many people would take offence to that more so than a group of guys dressed in "costume", impersonating the jackson 5. I have many close friends who would much rather refer to themselves as black over people calling them "chocolate"
October 8th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I doubt Harry is after publicity. Blackface is racist. Always has been. Research minstrel acts.
Does the fact black people use the N word in their songs mean others don't have the right to be offended by it?
Go plead your case to Jesse Jackson.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:02 am
As for being controversial… u think this group of guys who performed the exact same act on the show 20 YEARS AGO have been sitting around for the past 2 decades in the hope they'd get asked back for a special anniversary screening so that they could be controversial! Come on…
October 8th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Especially from Australia, with its fantastic history of racism – it's so refreshing to find out you don't even know about blackface.
This smacks of the Symonds 'monkey' incident. From a country that is smothered in American media, how can you be so ignorant that when this stuff comes up you go 'monkey is racist WTF', 'blackface is racist WTF'? Get into the real world.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Mate he could have voiced his opinion earlier…….He had a chance……There was a full DRESS REHEARSAL before the skit went live to air and hcj was there…….So why did he not object during rehearsal????? What was his OBJECTIVE????????????
October 8th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Seems Harry had an impure thought himself & blamed it on the show. Then, the real kicker, thought about his business stock after he went offstage & negotiated the right to have a second bite, which was given to him quite civilly, then went ahead & made a real buffoon of himself.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Come on. The Americans are too politically correct for their own good. I am Australian of Asian descend and Aussie skits portraying Asians don't offend me – grow up and enjoy good clean fun. This is Australia mate – we don't take things seriously and that is why this is a great country to live in.
We are not in the USA.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:02 am
It is all just pathetic crap. How dare the little wanker tell us how to think. Piss off Harry
October 8th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Get real Amber, have a look at the real statistics, The U.S is currently way ahead of us in race related gang warfare, hard core porn, serious drug problems and segregated communitiesy. Just watch the reality crime U.S tv shows. if we are backwards then GOOD
October 8th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Your so right Karen, i will never listen to or have anything to do with Connick again what a load of rubbish he speaks Darrell or channel nine owe nobody an apology it was light hearted humour in the Aussie way, and lets never let those yanks tell us how to laugh because of thier guilt ridden cotton pickin past.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Mental.. the white face painted guy(OMG how offensive!) had better pitch than Harry .. wow his performance was 4th rate.. I think he was trying o cover up.. is he coming off the pipe.. he looks haggered?
October 8th, 2009 at 11:04 am
you have the right to be ignorant and i have the right not to be offendend. keep on degrading yourselves we dont expect anything less from backwards and typical australians.
October 8th, 2009 at 11:33 am
fuck you karen racist bitch
why can i tell that youre white?
October 8th, 2009 at 11:57 am
So has anyone seen the AMERICAN movie "White Chicks?"
Every Australian who sees that act sees a group of men pretending to be the Jackson Five. Only Americans pay attention to the colour of ones skin.
If Harry had seen the actual Jackson Five he probably would have seen them as black performers as opposed to just performers.
Comedians have every right to dress up as the people they parody. If one was to parody Daniel Craig they would put on a blond wig. How is this any different? Skin colour is nothing more than another aspect of a person's physical appearance and it shouldn't matter at all.
Also, the guy in the white face paint was Indian.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
I can see why African Americans would be upset by the performance – I cringed a bit myself (as it was not really a nice thing to do given the culture sensitivity around 'blackface') to me it's kinda like picking something you know will upset somebody and throwing it in their face – regardless if it's racist or not, it's insensitive.
For myself, as an Australian I would piss myself laughing at somebody putting on an act stereotyping me as a criminal colonist etc. We still hold a grudge against the bloody Poms (British) though, so each year we take our revenge by kicking their arse at sport. I guess you guys took that to the 'next level' though – I reckon a lot of people around the world, including Australia were pretty happy when you guys voted in Barack Obama ;)
October 8th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
At least we are not the ones with a 10" fence stretching across our southern border. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
How appropriate that a blackface preacher skit exposes Harry's hypocrisy after the sanctimonious sermon we had to suffer from him the other night
October 8th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I was offended. A skit that relies on racial stereotypes to get its point across is by definition racist. Australia is a racist country has been since the invasion by the British, anyone who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves. Our history is documented with racist policies and procedures. All that aside Hey Hey It's Saturday was a silly show twenty years ago, which relied on silly gags and comments for a cheap laugh. Nothings changed. Bravo to Harry Connick Jr for expressing how he felt.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Harry needs to harden up.
It was a parody. Nothing more.
I had no idea what a blackface sketch was until the other night and now I feel polluted for knowing about it.
We had a racist past but we are doing much better these days Judy.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
From your comment I get a sense that your heart and head is at a good place. I acknowledge many improvements have been made, at least at face value. There is a long way to go though. :)
October 8th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Wrong. The American public does not decide who gets nominated for Oscars. The Motion Picture Academy does — which consists of only a few hundred elite members of the Hollywood film industry (not a very accurate representation of the US general population). By the way, that Downey role caused quite a bit of controversy in the U.S. — including protests and boycotts.
October 8th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I honestly don't think that the show intended any offense. I truly understand the point of view of Australians who adore "Hey Hey" – it is an iconic show – and know that it was meant in fun.
It wasn't the parody that was offensive to HCJ. It was the connotation that comes with blackface (portraying black people as ignorant, lazy, toothy morons). I agree that Americans need to try to understand that this form of theatrics was also well known in other parts of the world and did not carry the same type of negativity that it does in the USA. However, any show, regardless of where it is coming from, should try to be respectful of its guests.
In response to the comments about RD Jr's role in blackface – If you google it you can see that many people on forums such as these responded to it in a negative way. White Chicks, well, it's not "politically correct" to consider it offensive… lol
(Yes, I know that that further fuels your argument Karen L becayse I admit there is some truth in it .- however – let's not be so nasty. After all, Oz isn't perfect either)
October 8th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
If that's the case, then DON'T INVITE AMERICANS TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR MINSTREL SHOWS!! Especially an American Jazz musician from New Orleans!! Can you not see how your totally "not racist" comedy skit might be misinterpreted by someone who isn't a native to your Australian post-racial utopia? Just use some common sense, ok?
October 8th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Yeah I wish we could be as advanced as all the Americans Amber, I mean your record on race relations is exemplary, and only 50% of your country is illiterate and you are always fighting a war somewhere to pander to the weapons manufacturers.. you guys are just the height of civilization.. apart from the fact that you are all dumb as a sack of door knobs.. George W Bush.. Dan Quayle.. even your leaders have been outright morons and the rest of you come off as redneck trailer trash to the rest of the world
October 9th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Harry Connigger can pack up and go home and never come back.
We here have nothing to learn from the most pervert people and nation on the planet.
Now the stinky pot calling the kettle BLACK.
Try to walk downtown in any city in America and you will realise that his fuss was a small feed act.
Get lost.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:25 am
Too right mate
Struth
White niggers are fussier than black niggers, usually. Sense of guilt ? Don't buy that.
Don't be surprised if you hear that the same guy Connikker Jr 's secret fantasy is to paint his arse black and admire himself in the mirror. of course only at his mum's appartment.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:49 am
Your a simply a bottom feeding racist! Harry Connick Jr. has always been a person that does what is right! He was raised right by good people. I wouldn't expect a bottom feeder to understand that. Those images are racist and only the brain dead would be ignorant to that. I hope that Australians as a whole aren't racist. It's been my understanding that they weren't and that they are very progressive and forward thinking people. It would be tragic to their image as good people to find out they are racist.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:57 am
Yeah I wish we could be as advanced as all the Americans Amber, I mean your record on race relations is exemplary.. and only 50% of your country is illiterate and you are always fighting a war somewhere to pander to the weapons manufacturers.. you guys are just the height of civilization.. apart from the fact that you are all dumb as a sack of door knobs.. George W Bush.. Dan Quayle.. even your leaders have been outright morons and the rest of you come off as redneck trailer trash to the rest of the world
October 9th, 2009 at 5:47 am
Wow. The staggering ignorance of the Australians posting here is appalling. They know nothing of the history of blackface and minstral shows. They know nothing of Step n Fetchit and Al Jolson. They are also too stupid to understand the difference between someone white painting their face black and the reverse. They don't undertand the two are VERY very different. They lack the sophistication to grasp it. And, they're sadly incapable of admitting how their own very racist attitudes prevent them from doing so.
But, I have to say that' it's not too surprising. Australia is at least 50 years behind the US in terms of race, just as a US newsanchor said tonight. At least 50 years. There's a reason a young Aussie tennis player recently got booted from the tour for calling his black opponent a racist name during their match. There's a reason why, yet another Aussie tennis player, Lleyton Hewitt, made racist comments when playing black player James Blake a few years ago at the US Open. They feel COMFORTABLE making such comments to black people because it's what they're used to. It's what's in their hearts and heads everytime they see a black person.
So, they see nothing wrong with portraying black people in exaggeratedly dark skin color and behaving as baffoons. They whole stupid skit was one big riff on what idiots black people are. The Jackson 5 didn't act like buffoons. Not remotely. So, what, exactly, is the joke here? The exaggerated skin paint says it all. It's literally screaming, 'LOOK! THE JOKE HERE IS THAT THEY ARE SO VERY VERY BLAAAACCCKKK'. He He He. The Jackson's blackness IS the joke. See, for Aussies, Black=Baffoon. Period.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:56 am
Wow the staggering hypocrisy from Americans is laughable.. Americans would be the last to lecture anyone on blackface.. from Al Jolson to Robert Downey they are the masters at it
It's so appropriate that Harry Connick has been exposed as a hypocrite for his portrayal of a black preacher considering his self serving and sanctimonious sermon the other night
October 9th, 2009 at 5:59 am
You get used to hypocrisy from Americans, they just aren't very bright, their society has become a toilet of a crime and trailer parks.
October 9th, 2009 at 7:45 am
you yanks should look in your own backyards before critising others. USA greatest country in the world, you wish……………
October 9th, 2009 at 7:55 am
you want to wake up to yourself you ill informed american idiot, we Australians laugh at you and your country because you have got nothing on us and our way of life ……………………… get a sense of humor you dip shit……
October 9th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Wow, 5 pages of the most amazing back and forth weird responses I have ever seen.
It was was just a harmless little skit that the participants are now thinking, what the F@#%.
Everyone, just get real as most people really know deep down that no offence was intended.
Especially you dumb ass Yanks, how come all of a sudden you'oll are the world leaders racial morality.
p.s Thank God you now have a decent President
October 9th, 2009 at 11:37 am
American ignorance is the cause of the deaths of 1,500,000 in the middle east.. but hey let's divert attention from that and focus on this piece of fluff so the world doesn't wake up to what a pack of deadly morons we really are
October 9th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I had no idea that Australia was filled with such an angry bunch of tacky, ignorant, rude people.
Remind me never to visit. You're in the stone ages. Do you have cars or do you use dinosaurs for transportation? Crawl back under your rocks, people (and I use the term people loosely)
October 9th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
When i read the comments that aussies aren't 'uptight' about race, i shudder with chagrin. because the fact is, aussies do. do remember your history? what happened to the native people of australia? have they been integrated into your society?
As to those who tries to make an analogy between blacks using the "N"-word and this skit, let me see if i can explain it to you. the skit was done by caucasian, and historically, whenever this was done, it was done to belittle, likewise with the N-word. The N-word on the other hand, as used today by young blacks is not used to demean, belittle or exclude but to include. it's not ok for caucasian to use it because one is never sure of the intent. when young blacks use it amongst themselves, the intent is clear.
October 9th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
As to the argument that Tropics of Thunder did the same as this skit, I beg to differ. Tropics of Thunder was not offensive because the character as played by robert downy jr did not “paint his face black” and I believe that the producer/director/casts were very much aware of the historical significance of making a caucasian appear black and very carefully did not cross the line by using the “black paint face.” In fact, the character darkened his entire body to give the appearance of a black person. can’t you see the difference? do you think if it were otherwise, that the black community in the U.S. would have been quiet about it? there is a synergy between the black painted face and the intent that cannot be erased whether you want to acknowledge it or not.
October 9th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Just disgusting, ignorant hypocrites the Americans.. now they are arguing Connick and Downey only did brown face.. their country has become one giant trailer park and no wonder illiteracy has topped 50% with red neck losers that don't even comprehend how their own government sucks them into war after war to line the pockets of the gun manufacturers.. you silly clueless people
October 9th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
When Americans start lecturing rest assured it is psychological projection and they are trying to foist their own unconscious guilt onto someone else, of all the nations that have led the world theirs surely must be the most corrupt, stupid and inane to have ruled
October 9th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Good, stay the fuck away from our shores,
October 10th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Waht is the difference between the Hey Hey skit and the"amount of Black Artists impersoning White artists. Are we all not going a little too far…after all the intentions were for any money won to go to Charity….you maybe on the receiving end of that….
October 10th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Nice excuse for Americans to project their own racism onto others, their own track record is deplorable.. but of course they are always the first to lecture everyone else
October 11th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Oh and for all those people commenting on indigenous people, you guys know nothing. They are not repressed, they have more rights than most of us. I'm not a white Australian and I don't care what anyone says, there are racists in every country in the world. There are racists here in Australia and we are not all politically correct but the rest of us would welcome any race, breed or color. I have friends of all races including black, white and yellow skined people.
All I can say about most of the comments here including those of most of the Aussies too is people can be offended by anything and I can see why people would get offended by this skit. For those who were offended, don't take it to heart. It was not to be a racist gesture, it was supposed to be a funny skit.
October 11th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Just another American exhibiting their boorish hypocrisy
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,…
October 11th, 2009 at 5:12 am
HERE HERE STEVE!!!!! Well said mate. I wish the world would get over all the political correctness, It's gotten WAY out of control! Where/when will it stop? What about the good ol' aussie mailman? Will we have to change their title too? God forbid we should have 2 male connotations in one title (male-man)! Wait for the womens libbers to jump all over it! Will we also have to rename 'Blaxland', 'Coonabarabran' , 'Blackwater', 'Black Mountain', 'Coonamble', 'Coonawarra' etc…??
You got it right in your last line mate…. To ALL those wowsers…. HARDEN THE F**K UP! or keep your mind numbing, self centred, egotistical, one eyed opinions to yourselves, the rest of the world doesn't want to hear them!
Here's some political correctness for you all…. Get a life you 'owner operators'…..
October 11th, 2009 at 9:04 am
America recently created and exported "Achmed the Dead Terrorist' to the world. I wonder if Harry Connick was concerned if that would create offence. The USA is 4% of the worlds population – and they expect the other 96% to join them and suffer for their past of degredation and humiliation of the African American. Seeing that racism is still very much alive and well in America, especially in the South, it may be better for Harry to try and clean up his own back yard before attempting to clean up those of other countries. His comments are those of a naive and unthinking hypocrite.
October 11th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Half your countrymen are illiterate and live in trailer parks, you are the poster boys for crime, corruption and war mongering, you are internationally reknowned for stupidity, ignorance and arrogance.. in short you are a pack of redneck losers
October 11th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
You said blackface is incredibly offensive to black people. Is that the reason MJ changed his face to white because he didn't want to offend black people.Harry best move for you to do is go back to your black and white people and preach and leave the shores of Australia because the guy is dull and lacks a sense of humour although he's a great singer just too touchy.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Your ignorance is astounding- and my god if thats what you Aussie's call entertainment you guys are realllllllllllllllllllllly deprived!!!! Sicko!!!!
October 12th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
First and foremost tropic thunder was a social satire mocking the mass media's depiction of black people within popular culture! Secondly what i just saw on this provinicial and pathetic Aussie TV show was not smart nor clever it was totally ignorant!!!!!!!!!
October 12th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Bill- interesting comment. But this 2 minute skit is really symptomatic of what a nation deems socially acceptable. Could you ever imagine in a million years this show being broadcast on British TV in this day and age?
October 12th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
wtf you are an idiot….please read over you last comment and see how stupid it sounds………….There is no difference between the doctors skit and Robert Downey in Tropic Thunder and Harry Connick Jnr skit……Just because and Americans did it, its "alright". HYPOCRIT
October 12th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
To Butterfiled8 – people are ignorant and intelligent in every race on earth. The skit was taken all out of proportion to what it was and people have the right to dress and put make up on that makes them look black or white if they so desire. Harry should know this through show business and he must have been having a bad hair day and he was the sicko – entered into hospital for lacking sense of humour and his treatment was to go home.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
You ridiculous, ignorant slobs. Like anyone from the US would waste their money or time visiting the land that time forgot. Go ride a kangaroo, put some shrimp on the barbie and get back to your racist games. Whoo hooo!
October 13th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Stay "Down Under" where your antiquated views and fashion can stay unnoticed by the rest of the world, you jealous imbecile.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
And the movie was actually called Tropic Thunder, you ignorant Aussie.
October 13th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
The host of the show shouldn't have attempted to apologise to Lord Harry and just let him sulk in a corner and vent his spleen somewhere else. MJ was a freak show in himself and he wouldn't have got the joke as his black skin turned white naturally through a skin disorder!!!!!!!! Harry wants to be in politics cause he's half black and half white like the Pres. Doubt whether he'll ever sell another song in this country if he ever did.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
The Anzacs Matt have already been made a mockery of by the Muslims when they invaded Cronulla you know the Cronulla riots where they pulled the Australian flag down and then ran riot throughout the streets of 'Cronulla. Your right no one was tolerant only this wasn't a skit it was real racial violence. Bet your one of them.
October 15th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
HARRY GET A LIFE CAMEL SNOT SUCKER, WHY DONT YOU STRAP ON A STRAP ON AND POUND A DEAD NIGGER.
October 15th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Go GURU……THERES A BIT OF guru IN US ALL…The sad thing of it all , The rest of this fuked up world follows the YANKYS sins EXAMPLE ram raids // car jacks // drive bys // etc etc what will yous event next to reach other cuntrys doors steps.GO fuk A BLUE CATTLE DOG
October 16th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Wow…very insightful. You must be Australian!
You're a joke to the rest of the world, you backward half-breeds. Eww.
October 18th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Were not the UK and havent heard of black face. Oh..but you are beside the US though arent you so had similiar segregation. WE DON'T Black here is Tongan,Samoan,Arobinge, Moari,Torres Straight Islandar..Fijian etc..racist to think that US africans above all africans or any other black people are the group by which all blacks must be 'classified' as. Oh yeah Papua New Guineans equally dont give a Fuk…
WE DIDNT BAN BLACK FACE AS WE DIDNT USE IT! US AND UK DID TO MAKE UP FOR DOING IT!
October 19th, 2009 at 6:20 am
Go fly a hot air balloon you dumb yanky red neck, oh yeah say hello to jerry for me……….. JERRY, JERRY, JERRY………….and you reckon where half breeds . you people gotta stop marrying your cousins.. ha ha ha USA , USA, USA ha, ha, ha……
October 19th, 2009 at 6:45 am
What a country indeed…..Go fly a hot air balloon you dumb yanky red neck, oh yeah say hello to jerry for me……….. JERRY, JERRY, JERRY………….and you reckon where half breeds . you people gotta stop marrying your cousins.. ha ha ha USA , USA, USA ha, ha, ha……
October 25th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
the skit was neither associated with slavery or mockery of African Americans. are we supposed to ignore something as obvious as a difference in skin colour? get real! white people wouldn’t give a shit if black people painted their face white to do a skit. how would the audience know that they were impersonating the jackson five if they had white face.
Harry Connick jr get the fuck out of Australia and stay out you two faced, hypocritical piece of shit. you make fun of gays in your comedy rutines and somehow you think that is better than what red faces did.
October 31st, 2009 at 11:08 am
what a country, why are you so angry ????????????
November 6th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
WOW, you guys really are dim. I'm not the angry one here…..
January 11th, 2010 at 7:52 am
Yes, Steve– you're right. Eating beef and recreating a spectacle that traditionally aimed to show Blacks as comedic, inferior and subhuman persons are CLEARLY the same things. Of course, you've done extensive research on race and racial performances in the United States, which is why you feel you can declare so absolutely that "there was nothing racist about this skit at all". So how does this incident bear upon your reading of Daphne Brooks' Bodies in Dissent? Do you always define racism based on whether or not White people are offended?
Lastly, I'm sure 500 years of brutal slavery, forced removal from one's children, mates, homeland, the torture of the middle passage, share cropping, the convict lessee system, and lynchings didn't "harden" Blacks up enough — if only we were like the obviously tougher Aussies, who've gone through so much worse. (I hope you understand the word sarcasm much better than you do the word "racism". )
January 25th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
I hope it's not too late to let all of the nice folks down in Australia with the truth that:
1.) Connick Jr. is not from New Orleans. He's from Weston, Connecticut, where he attended public school from 1970-1982. He was the only member of the class of '82 not to graduate. He did instead from BRiggs Vocational in Norwalk, CT.
2. His father, who's been reported to have died on a few of the other websites, was never the D.A. of New Orleans. He's one of the presidents of Sony Music and a major stockholder in Sony Pictures, hence his son's questionable rise to show business success.
3.) His wife really met him at Sarah Lawrence College in the 1980s, where Connick Jr. was asked to leave due to picking on a neurological student, who turned around andf knocked Connick Jr. on his ass. The wife may have been asked to leave at that time as well.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
harden up on my dick you aussie racist asshole
February 17th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Hey Hey Hey Australia,
Connick Jr. is not from New Orleans and his real father was never the district attorney there. He's a rich phony from Weston, CT., where he attended public school from 1970-1982. His father is or was one of the presidents of Sony Music and a stockholder in Sony Pictures. The father himself had a career in show business, cut a few records and even appeared in the film "Let's Make Love' with M. Monroe and Y. Montand. Do your homework Australia!
September 26th, 2010 at 3:36 am
I agree with what you say, we are loosing our culture fast enough to the bloody americans, what is wrong with Australians this is AUSTRALIA not AMERICA stop acting like them, talking like them and trying to look like them, be proud of where you are and what you are Australian's.
I'm sick to death of hearing about AMERICA.
As for Harry he needs to grow up, you say we are not like Americans! oh yes we are that is the trouble we will soon be another state of AMERICA..
February 15th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Harry Connick Jr is a total fraud. He's not from New Orleans. He's from We3ston, CT, where he attended public school from 1970-1982. Moreover, his real father was never the DA of New Orleans. Connick Sr is or was one of the presidents of Sony Music and a stockholder in Sony Pictures. The father himself had a career in show business and even appeared in the film "Let's Maker Love' with Y. Montand and M. Monroe. He's the guy who loses his part in the show to Montand.