Yes, a reference to Louis Armstrong is completely racist. And Mae West is sexist. And Jimmy Durante is ageism at its worst. And the Marx brothers are obviously both racist and exclusionary to immigrants.
At least commercials back in those days had balls and aren't "politically correct" as dipshits have them now. It wasn't even really racist when you think of it.
How is that racist? You bleeding hearts would spin that into being a negative. They were all musical, cinematic and theatre legends. Al Jolson in black face was his trade mark, Louise Armstrong sweating was Satchmo's thing, he always had a handkerchief with him to pat away his sweat. Would you say it's discrimination to alcoholics for W.C. Fields for having a drink and red nose? White Chicks the movie was racist towards white people but we laughed it off. If you win lotto buy a sense of humour.
@justingallego not only that - the story that this person quotes is bullshit. Try and find Jo Jo DeChinto anywhere. Jo Jo Chinto is the CityTV employee. The racist action taken by this not at all generic "Michael", never happened. Whole story is bullshit.
Honestly, I don't see it. If we take the broad strokes that each of the characters had, we had the characteristics that they were known for. Jimmy Durante's nose and distinctive voice, WC Field's misanthropic attire, Groucho's greasepaint mustache and distinctive walk and yes even Louis Armstrong's sweating as he played and Al Jolson's greasepaint black and white minstel show.
But I think I may be preaching to the choir here.
Anyone who thinks this video is racist or sexist is an absolute clueless moron. Perform your due diligence! Research the history of the classic performers featured in the video. Jeez Louise!
...amused that the Louis Armstrong caricature is being considered racist to blacks here (who was really black and really like that when he sang) and yet the wannabe PC Police in this thread completely missed the real "actual" black racism with the caricature of Al Joslson (jewish white guy who was famous in the 20'-40's for his "blackface" mammy singing style). Educate yourselves, young people, before you scream "racist" about items that were shown more than likely years before you were born.
I wasn't born when this advert was aired (I was born in 1986), but by comparing the two ads, the first one was deemed offensive. Back in the days, you often have a difficult time on trying to find out who to complain to about finding an advertisement that is deemed offensive.
Today, many new standards are in place to make sure that the ads get the proper message and such. You can complain to the ASC to find out what happened in an ad you saw.
There was no racism in the '80's! You're all nuts! Seriously though, I'm surprised no one's noticed that they exaggerate EVERYONE'S features in old cartoons. I'm more offended when they try to pass off monkey-like features as something related to black people than the big lips thing, though you'll all be happy to know that the tradition lives on in Japanese comics to this day! Hopefully by "happy" you read that as "horrified".
I seem to remember seeing this discussed on an old CityTv news broadcast of the time that I saw replayed on Rewind on CP24. Apparently it was a big deal this commercial
Every character in this commercial is a historical entertainment figure. They all existed, and were represented true to how they appeared in their moment in time.
When you have a black person, with huge lips, that even seem to glow in the dark, that is called racism. It was done in old cartoons produced in the 40`s, and those cartoons are now banned, why is this any different?
It's not racism. It's a reference to Al Jolson's "Mammy" routine from The Jazz Singer, the first "talkie" in the 1920s. While that performance itself might be considered racist, this is simply a reference to a well-known cultural phenomenon. Arguably, it lampoons the attitude.
It's like the scene that appeared on an episode of "Mad Men" this year. Hard to watch, but you can't deny that it still happened, and people were still amused by it, at that time in history.
Well, the Louis Armstrong bit I don't really find offensive. That's a pretty good interpretation of his voice, and you'd be sweaty too if you could play the trumpet brilliantly for hours on end.
The Al Jolson on the other hand, I don't think he HIMSELF in blackface is racist (that was his schtick that we all remember him by), but I think the image of blackface has enough stigma in and of itself to seem insensitive to more modern ideas of propriety.
@Sage80 No, Michael is probably a homo in jail and getting it up the ass by a bunch of black guys as a thank you for his carear activism in promoting political correctness. Needless to say I won't be up for the same reward and thank you, which is perfectly fine by me.
...In other news, this is the "Family Guy" theme song. NOW YOU CAN'T UNTHINK IT
CutTheCarpVlog 1 month ago
Yes, a reference to Louis Armstrong is completely racist. And Mae West is sexist. And Jimmy Durante is ageism at its worst. And the Marx brothers are obviously both racist and exclusionary to immigrants.
bobbbxxx 4 months ago
At least commercials back in those days had balls and aren't "politically correct" as dipshits have them now. It wasn't even really racist when you think of it.
nljuggalo 6 months ago
They still left the lips on the other black guy at the end of the second commerical
ech064 7 months ago
How is that racist? You bleeding hearts would spin that into being a negative. They were all musical, cinematic and theatre legends. Al Jolson in black face was his trade mark, Louise Armstrong sweating was Satchmo's thing, he always had a handkerchief with him to pat away his sweat. Would you say it's discrimination to alcoholics for W.C. Fields for having a drink and red nose? White Chicks the movie was racist towards white people but we laughed it off. If you win lotto buy a sense of humour.
justingallego 1 year ago 5
@justingallego not only that - the story that this person quotes is bullshit. Try and find Jo Jo DeChinto anywhere. Jo Jo Chinto is the CityTV employee. The racist action taken by this not at all generic "Michael", never happened. Whole story is bullshit.
AffableClam 1 year ago
Sexist? What the fuck?
Uncutcartoons247 1 year ago
The "Mammy" bit in the first commercial could be considered to be racist by today's standards. Other than that there's not very much wrong with it.
CelesteK 1 year ago
Seriously, that was'nt so bad. In fact, I kind of like this commercial!
saugagirl83 1 year ago
Comment removed
nostalgiajunkie70 1 year ago
Comment removed
nostalgiajunkie70 1 year ago
Racist? Nah.
Awesome? Very.
FSinWCR 1 year ago 3
LOL if i had a dollar for every time someone cries racism i wouldn't need the frek'n lottery
AthensWarier21 1 year ago 3
BULL SHIT!!! not racist. people these days xD
joehancock01 1 year ago
I know how it's racist. Some guy who looks black but has makeup on his face. :(
CelesteK 1 year ago
I see the racism big time.
MattJFisher 1 year ago
Honestly, I don't see it. If we take the broad strokes that each of the characters had, we had the characteristics that they were known for. Jimmy Durante's nose and distinctive voice, WC Field's misanthropic attire, Groucho's greasepaint mustache and distinctive walk and yes even Louis Armstrong's sweating as he played and Al Jolson's greasepaint black and white minstel show.
But I think I may be preaching to the choir here.
docmagnus88 1 year ago 4
Anyone who thinks this video is racist or sexist is an absolute clueless moron. Perform your due diligence! Research the history of the classic performers featured in the video. Jeez Louise!
varietyguy 1 year ago 4
Hw is this racist?
cne08 1 year ago
I moe, I moe
Skaliwag66 1 year ago
Is the first guy on the piano Jimmy Durante?
snowstormcan 1 year ago
This song is too catchy, I've been back here more than 10 times just to listen to it lol
CodyTAGGIN 1 year ago
Truth be told - it was a terrible advertising campaign. "Racism" outside of it, it was just a crappy commercial altogether.
thedab101 1 year ago
lol, racist overtones
EricRSmyth 1 year ago
...amused that the Louis Armstrong caricature is being considered racist to blacks here (who was really black and really like that when he sang) and yet the wannabe PC Police in this thread completely missed the real "actual" black racism with the caricature of Al Joslson (jewish white guy who was famous in the 20'-40's for his "blackface" mammy singing style). Educate yourselves, young people, before you scream "racist" about items that were shown more than likely years before you were born.
Barndancer61 1 year ago
I wasn't born when this advert was aired (I was born in 1986), but by comparing the two ads, the first one was deemed offensive. Back in the days, you often have a difficult time on trying to find out who to complain to about finding an advertisement that is deemed offensive.
Today, many new standards are in place to make sure that the ads get the proper message and such. You can complain to the ASC to find out what happened in an ad you saw.
simon726 1 year ago
There was no racism in the '80's! You're all nuts! Seriously though, I'm surprised no one's noticed that they exaggerate EVERYONE'S features in old cartoons. I'm more offended when they try to pass off monkey-like features as something related to black people than the big lips thing, though you'll all be happy to know that the tradition lives on in Japanese comics to this day! Hopefully by "happy" you read that as "horrified".
SpookyHelder 1 year ago
@SpookyHelder you should research the 1983 Chicago mayoral elections when Harold Washington won if you don't think there was any racism in the 80's!
Skaliwag66 1 year ago
@Skaliwag66 Uhh... I was being totally sarcastic though.
SpookyHelder 1 year ago
I seem to remember seeing this discussed on an old CityTv news broadcast of the time that I saw replayed on Rewind on CP24. Apparently it was a big deal this commercial
Skaliwag66 1 year ago
Every character in this commercial is a historical entertainment figure. They all existed, and were represented true to how they appeared in their moment in time.
It's history. Not racism.
pilgrimomega 1 year ago 2
When you have a black person, with huge lips, that even seem to glow in the dark, that is called racism. It was done in old cartoons produced in the 40`s, and those cartoons are now banned, why is this any different?
CodyTAGGIN 1 year ago
It's not racism. It's a reference to Al Jolson's "Mammy" routine from The Jazz Singer, the first "talkie" in the 1920s. While that performance itself might be considered racist, this is simply a reference to a well-known cultural phenomenon. Arguably, it lampoons the attitude.
PatchesRips 1 year ago 28
@PatchesRips Dude, everythings racist.
Routanne 1 year ago
It's like the scene that appeared on an episode of "Mad Men" this year. Hard to watch, but you can't deny that it still happened, and people were still amused by it, at that time in history.
golddustwoman83 1 year ago
Well, the Louis Armstrong bit I don't really find offensive. That's a pretty good interpretation of his voice, and you'd be sweaty too if you could play the trumpet brilliantly for hours on end.
The Al Jolson on the other hand, I don't think he HIMSELF in blackface is racist (that was his schtick that we all remember him by), but I think the image of blackface has enough stigma in and of itself to seem insensitive to more modern ideas of propriety.
golddustwoman83 1 year ago 13
I fail to see any form of racism in these ads. I swear, some people just look TOO hard.
tmlfan1977 1 year ago 2
Mammy!
profjohnfrink 1 year ago
good for him on speaking out
fallbread 1 year ago 3
I'll tell you where Michael is today. He's changed his name. He goes by Al Sharpton now. Race-baiting morons.
Sage80 1 year ago
@Sage80 No, Michael is probably a homo in jail and getting it up the ass by a bunch of black guys as a thank you for his carear activism in promoting political correctness. Needless to say I won't be up for the same reward and thank you, which is perfectly fine by me.
vidlivs 1 year ago
Are you kidding me? They are portraying the individuals AS THEY WERE. Only a moron could watch something like this and cry racism. Get over yourself.
Sage80 1 year ago 2