Some found it offensive that “Saturday Night Live†would put dark makeup on an actor of white and Asian descent, Fred Armisen, to portray Barack Obama. Granted, the minstrel-show echoes are uncomfortable, but it should be noted that the show has long crossed racial lines at will (Armisen as Prince, Darrell Hammond as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Billy Crystal as Sammy Davis Jr.). “It’s not about race,†producer Lorne Michaels told the Washington Post. “It’s about getting a take on Obama, where it serves the comedy and the writing.†He also promised more Obama on tonight’s show.
As University of Southern California professor Todd Boyd observed: “If we had as many examples of black actors playing white figures, no one would need to discuss it. But when you have a figure as historically important as Barack Obama . . . people can get mighty protective of his image.â€
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15 Comments
Get over it, it’s the Hollyfornia mindset. Do as I say, not as I do mindset. They won’t change, because it’s “literary license” (cough)
First of all he is HALF black. Why do people keep forgetting that his KANSAS mothers was WHITE as a sheet? Secondly if anybody is offended, they need to get a life.
You can lampoon presidents, ex-presidents, and nearly everyone ELSE in society but………..
this is truly one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard. In acting, you dress up to play a role..the one best for the part should get it no matter what color they are. Jolie did a fantastic job.
pmom
We are in agreement on something.
This is stupid!
I have a question: Would anyone be upset if a Black actor played a White guy?
Another question: What if a Black actor played Obama, but played the role poorly?
Hand gestures, facial expressions, voice, speech patterns, — how many other factors go into playing a role well?
If a Black actor played Obama, and did the job poorly, that would say, rather clearly:
“SNL thinks that the only thing that is important about Obama is Obama’s color”
White and Asian? Is that a Caucasianasian? The only Black guy on SNL has darker skin and is fat. That wouldn’t exactly be a good fit for Obama, but some racists will complain about anything these days.
Gimme a break, no wait…that movie “White Chicks” really offended me. I’m gonna sue the Wayans brother’s. How dare they make fun of dumb, white blondes!
The Humanity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SNL is funny as hell tonight!
Especially with the “Law and Order” twist!
Bless her valiant heart! Seantor Clinton is hitting BACK!
For God’s sake! Here’s the solution to this stupid problem: SNL should get a slender black guy to play Obama and everyone else should shut the hell up and move on.
Funny is funny.
The cartoon was pretty good too.
Wow, did the Obama character REALLY ask the Jackson character to bring back a miniture ZEBRA from Africa?
That comment was a bit more than I would risk, but — satire is satire.
By the way, JR, in reading and listening to several different debate and political authorities, I have to admit that Hillary was NOT treated fairly at the last debate, and that the press is, pretty much “in the tank” for Hillary.
Of course, I do not want either one of them to be President, but I do want Hillary to win Texas and Ohio.
Lets keep this fight going!
Sorry, I meant, of course, that the press began, “in the tank” for Hillary.
Now, the press has ditched Hillary.
The media is now “in the tank” for Obama.
Obama will put REPUBLICANS in his cabinet:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3466823.ece
The only place I want Republicans is in the trunk of a car.
I will continue to enjoy life, no matter who wins any election.
BTW, If Hillary wins, I could see a McCain Secretary of Defense.
That would be funny!
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[...] WE Blog » The Wichita Eagle Editorial Department Blog wrote an interesting post today on Obama imitation offends someHere’s a quick excerptObama imitation offends some Posted6:00 a.m. Some found it offensive that “Saturday Night Live” would put dark makeup on an actor of white and Asian descent, Fred Armisen, to portray Barack Obama. Granted, the minstrel-show echoes are uncomfortable, but it should be noted that the show has long crossed racial lines at will (Armisen as Prince, Darrell Hammond as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Billy Crystal as Sammy Davis Jr.). “It’s not about race,” producer Lorne Michaels told the Washington Post. “I [...]
[...] WE Blog » The Wichita Eagle Editorial Department Blog wrote an interesting post today on Obama imitation offends someHere’s a quick excerptObama imitation offends some Posted6:00 a.m. Some found it offensive that “Saturday Night Live” would put dark makeup on an actor of white and Asian descent, Fred Armisen, to portray Barack Obama. Granted, the minstrel-show echoes are uncomfortable, but it should be noted that the show has long crossed racial lines at will (Armisen as Prince, Darrell Hammond as the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Billy Crystal as Sammy Davis Jr.). “It’s not about race,” producer Lorne Michaels told the Washington Post. “I [...]