Has anyone noticed Mad TV has gone overboard with ethnic "humor"?

[UdoKier]

I realize this show was never much good, but I sometimes watch when SNL is a re-run. I'm always appalled by Bobby Lee's portrayals of the most offensive Asian/Oriental stereotypes. SO humiliating, I don't know how he lives with himself...

And last weekend, they had this bit with an interracial couple where she constantly makes racist remarks about him. It's like they are supposed to be 'making fun of the racism', but it's more like some white guy wrote it and he was just trying to use it as an excuse to use offensive "ni**er" jokes...

Amazing how a crap show can actually get CRAPPIER.

[Occulus]

1. You ARE joking, right?

I love Mad TV... and the stereotypes are exactly that, stereotypes. I have noticed that they don't skimp, either- everyone gets a turn.

Um, satire? Hello?

And the "Asian/Oriental stereotypes"... well... I don't know if you're talking about Ms. Swan, but that character is one of my favorites. She always ends up on top in the end, and she's sweet and very very funny to boot. I'd actually like a Ms. Swan-type person as a neighbor.

Lorraine, on the other hand...... *eeeek* *runs* *hides* :silly:

edit: I've often referred to Mad TV as 'this generation's SNL', and I think that's an apt description, but there are so many other worthy comedy shows on CC it's hard to pick just one...

[UdoKier]

2. "Mrs. Swan" wasn't all that offensive...

but she was on years ago. She's rarely on now. Besides, she seems more like an alien than an ethnic stereotype. I'm talking about Bobby Lee, who does these oriental dweebs with bowl haircuts who are complete idiots that never learn any english but pretend they understand. I'm personally pretty steeped in Asian culture in every way, so maybe it bugs me more than most - It's a very inaccurate and offensive stereotype.

[shawcomm]

3. It was great, then just about everybody good left.

Bobby Lee is awful. He's got the one character, a poor Ms. Swan knockoff, but uses it in multiple skits.

[elperromagico]

4. First two seasons or so, you have a great show.

Great cast too. David Herman, Phil LaMarr, and Nicole Sullivan are particular favorites of mine.

Then MAD fell into the SNL trap of recurring characters who were never that funny to begin with. I don't know who came up with the brilliant notion that repeating an unfunny idea ad infinitum renders it funny, but I suspect it was either a lazy writer with a chemical dependency or a performer with a limited range.

[Borgnine]

6. Right.

I don't understand the love affair some people have with MAD TV over SNL. Now, the first two seasons I agree... MAD TV was AWESOME. David Herman, Phil LaMarr, Artie Lange, Orlando Jones, Nicole Sullivan, and so on were a fantastic cast. Plus, the sketches were more along the lines of parodies rather than stupid characters doing the same thing every week. It seriously lost its edge during the third season with the first cast shakeup.

[fleabert]

5. I agree, sometimes it can be funny, but it resorts to the

lowest common denominator too often. I esp. get tired of the portrayal of the two girls who are supposed to be an 'ethnic' and 'urban' Latina and African American woman. It was somewhat funny the first few times, but has gone beyond satire into offensive as of late.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

7. I think a lot of the "ethnic" sketches are great.

The translator that Bobby Lee plays is hilarious. I don't necessarily think that ethnic comedic stereotypes are based on (intentional, directed) racism.

I'm of Indian descent, and I don't find the Simpsons character of Apu offensive, even though he's voiced by a white guy (Hank Azaria). In fact, I consider Apu as one of the smarter, more sane characters on the show.

By the way, I met Bobby Lee for a half second at a Starbucks here in L.A. I was walking around to find a seat and saw a short Asian guy coming from the opposite direction. He saw me wearing my Clash t-shirt and said "Cool shirt, man," or something along those lines. I said, "Thanks," then stopped and turned around, realizing it was actually him. I was going to say hi, but he went to sit down with a girl, so I didn't want to bother him. Still, that was pretty cool. :)