Thursday, January 24, 2008

One More Video

This is funny. I laughed so hard I cried. Some one came over and asked if I was ok, and I needed a few moments to answer them.

Before the show was picked up by Nickelodeon, they had made one of the characters mentally challenged. They changed the voice after just one episode.

PLEASE SEE COMMENTS FOR MORE DISCUSSION ON THIS ENTRY.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

not only is this clip stupid and NOT funny, but it is offensive. I don't think either of you would think was funny if Lilah, Lacey, or Francesca were mentally disabled. (orginally posted on my stupid husband's blog as well)

TheMediaDude said...

That's hard to contradict, but it also makes a safe assumption that the only reason the video is funny is because it makes fun of metally-challenged people.

I don't find many things this funny. So I would have to counter your comment by saying there are deeper readings that make this so funny to me:

A) To see the original bastardized in any way is humorous, just because it's different and I've seen this so many times.
B) Yes, it's offensive. But it doesn't take aim at a specific person or affliction. It works off a stereotype, which helps to separate this from reality.
C) I don't want to entertain the possibily of my nieces or daughter being mentally disabled. BUt if they were, I cannot guarantee that I would not think this is funny. I'm Jewish, but I still think Jew-jokes are funny.

Reactions? Anyone else have a thought on this?

corey said...

Hey, dude. I think I can relate to reasons A and C, though I don't think that mitigates the hurtfulness of mocking retarded people. Reason B strikes me as hogwash. I can accept that you have a more intellectualized take on the nature of the clips humorousness, but I think you have to also acknowledge that 99% of the people laughing at this most certainly don't and that when you laugh at this, you're laughing with them.

Anonymous said...

As someone who watches the show at least twice a day, I think its f-ing hilarious! Rock on, lovey!
xoxo

TheMediaDude said...

Um, thank you honey. And thank you Corey and Nilda for your comments.

This clip is offensive. I'm sorry if it hurt anyone. That wasn't my intention (and I'm sure you know that).

But I still think it's funny! Does that make me a terrible person? Corey though point B was 'hogwash' [I didn't think people still use that term :)], but it's not for me. I don't have much contact with the mentally disabled, so I only have a stereotype to work from. That creates a mental distance for me. That's the context I have to work with. No matter what 99% of people do, this is MY take.

The question now is how to move forward. Do I remove the posting and pretend like it never happened? Do I begin to self-sensor myself to to make the content more acceptible to my (6) readers? No, I don't want to do that. I'd rather have discussion and learn then present whitewashed content.

corey said...

Hey again. I am all about the discussion! And I appreciate the fact that you specifically solicited feedback from your readership, which I'm sure is into the double digits at this point :)

TheMediaDude said...

Double digits? Whoa, let's not get crazy.

Anonymous said...

i already know i'm going to hell for laughing at retarded people. so i felt free to laugh at this too.

Anonymous said...

"I'm Jewish, but I still think Jew-jokes are funny." And I'm Latina (could you forget?) and I laugh at some Latino jokes too, but I do not confuse my ability to laugh at myself with laughing at the frailties of the human condition.
Social consciousness begins with the individual...

Boywonderesq said...

This just proves your complete lack of responsibility about everything.

Anonymous said...

Honey, how fabulously controversial are you??? 10 comments!!! (11 now)