Harry Connick, Jr. on MadTV - Preachers Skit

"...A video of US singer Harry Connick jnr impersonating a southern US preacher has resurfaced online in response to the singer's condemnation of a controversial "blackface" skit on a Hey Hey It's Saturday reunion last night.

In the 13-year-old video, filmed for MADtv in 1996, Connick jnr wears a black wig, preacher's robes and speaks with a southern accent, before promoting one of his albums.

During last night's show, five men were covered in black face paint and black wigs and re-enacted their skit Jackson Jive, which appeared years ago when Hey Hey was originally on air.

The Michael Jackson character this time had his face painted white.

Connick jnr was one of the judges of the segment and took offence at the act, giving it a zero.

Some of the online response to the MADtv segment has been to brand the singer a hypocrite, while others were angry the resurfacing of the clip was deflecting attention away from the Hey Hey performers, who have since apologised for any offence caused.

"If he can get away with that in the US why is a dated and harmless blackface skit on Aussie TV so offensive to him? The man is a hypocrite of the worst kind," Meg wrote.

Dozens of people also posted comments on YouTube, as links to the MADtv video circulated rapidly this morning.

"Harry is a hypocrite of the highest order, typical shallow celebrity with double standards, do as i say, not as i do," wrote one user, AussieOz007.

The video was also posted on Australian TV blog TV Tonight, where a debate has erupted about whether the MADtv skit was racist.

Many pointed out that Connick jnr was not wearing "blackface make-up", as last night's Hey Hey performers had.

"Harry isn't painted with a 'black face' and he is doing the skit among african americans," wrote Jenny on the blog.

"The problem with the hey hey skit is that the performers had painted black faces and black wigs on which are errily similar to the blatant racist images used in America many years ago."

Another user, Jack, said those equating the Madtv video to last night's performance did not understand what was offensive about the "blackface" skit last night.

"By people comparing this, it's apparent that many Australians don't get what blackface is. No wonder why they are left scratching their heads about the whole incident. Get yourself informed folks!"

User Ro wrote: "This is hardly 'blackface'. No exaggerated racial images black shoe polish faces and wollywigs. Obviously people still don't quite understand that it's not about impersonation..." (Fairfax Media)

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Harry Connick
• Jackson Jive
• Jackson 5Michael Jackson
• Dr Anand Deva
• guest judge
• Connick
• Harry Connick Jr
• racist
• Red
• Faces
• performance

[OsOQRT]

harry connick jr is from New Orleans,LA so for him to speak with a southern accent isn't even a stretch. He is from the SOUTH! I dont believe he was impersonating a Black reverend so much as he was taking a shot at the southern baptist churches in general ontop of promiting his latest CD at the time. the hypocrispy argument is weak to say the least

[JohnyBlaze86aimz]

He's not wearing blackface and is performing with an African-american so how is this hypocritical? It's not the same as what happened on 'hey hey'.

While I don't think the Australians were trying to offend anyone or be racist, instead of getting all angry and defensive, it wouldn't hurt to take a minute to learn about the history of 'blackface' and why it is offensive and seen as something they have tried to bury in the shameful past....like a swastika

[drumsdwaud]

I don't think Harry meant any offence just like the guys doing the MJ impersonation.

Taking ourselves too seriously is the thing that is more destructive. I love both Harry and MJ as great talents and good people.

[knottyboy20]

The difference people is that he is acting and acting very very well. This is the same as Robert Downey Jnr in tropic thunder. People like myself can tell easily when someone is being racist. Australia just doesnt have enough black people so Australians are just used to being racist with no conscience and no consequence, so much so that they even air such racist nonsense on tv, getting past producers and writers. Not only that, their talk shows will also defend the right to be racist..wtf?

[MazBringsby]

@OsOQRT THANK YOU!!!

[MazBringsby]

@egnaro24 THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

[MazBringsby]

@Mexicoandhow LMAO!!!!!

[MazBringsby]

@justabloke24 He's impersonating a Southern White Preacher from the US South. They have accent like that....

[MazBringsby]

@zaniac100 Yes.Its difficult because you're an idiot. God bless you.

[MazBringsby]

@komatsu575 Idiot. He appears as a white Southern preacher NOT IN BLACKFACE.