Performer apologises for black face skit

8 Oct 2009, 12:19 pm   -   Source: AAP
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The performer at the centre of a controversial TV skit has apologised for causing offence

The performer at the centre of a controversial TV skit has apologised for causing offence

The frontman of a controversial black-face skit on Hey Hey It's Saturday has apologised, saying it is ironic he has been called racist, given his Indian background.

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The frontman of a controversial black-face skit on Hey Hey It's Saturday has apologised, saying it is ironic he has been called racist, given his Indian background.

Following international outcry, Dr Anand Deva, a prominent Sydney-based plastic surgeon, went public and said the Jackson Jive act on the show's popular Red Faces segment on Wedneday was not meant to cause offence, but he admitted he would not have performed it in the US.


"Clearly, all of us want to apologise. I mean we have offended some people no doubt, particularly Harry Connick Jr.

So I want to say on behalf of all of us that this was really not intended ... (to be) anything to do with racism at all," he told Fairfax Radio Network.

 

The world reacts to the controversial skit

Dr Deva was one of five men who starred in the skit. His face was painted white, impersonating Michael Jackson, while his back-up dancers donned black face paint and black wigs.

They first appeared on Hey Hey 20 years ago and were invited back for Wednesday night's reunion show, which turned sour as US singer Harry Connick Jr, a segment judge, took offence at the act and gave it a score of zero.

He said if the skit had appeared on television in the US the show's broadcast would have been terminated, and it would have been "hey hey no show".

A backstage source told AAP that after the segment Connick Jr expressed his disgust and negotiated an on-air apology at the end of the live broadcast between him and show host Daryl Somers.

"I think we may have offended you with that act and I deeply apologise on behalf of all of us - because I know that to your countrymen, that's an insult to have a black-face routine like that on the show, so I do apologise to you," Somers said, appearing embarrassed and stammering his words.

Connick responded, saying he would not have participated if he had known beforehand about the Jackson Jive skit.

"I feel like I am at home here and if I knew that was going to be part of the show, I probably, I definitely wouldn't have done it," he said.

Dr Deva further defended the act by saying the group of doctors were from multicultural backgrounds and were huge Michael Jackson fans.

"I am an Indian, and five of the six of us are from multicultural backgrounds and to be called a racist ... I don't think I have ever been called that ever in my life before," he told Fairfax radio network.

"Anyone who knows us as a group, we are intelligent people, we are all from different racial backgrounds so I am really truly surprised."

Asked if he would have done the same skit in America, Dr Deva replied, "Absolutely not".

 

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Wow.

Liza - from Saint Paul, 3 years ago

I just think the entire thing is repulsive. Not just the skit itself, but the disrespect that many people have. And to make matters worse, didn't MJ die earlier in the summer? How is it appropriate or respectful to crack a joke at someone when their family is still mourning. Harry Connick Jr. responded a Caucasian man who clearly understands and knows American History and what happened with African American men, women, and children. How dare any of you find this humorous. You're the joke.

gah get over it

jamie - from perth, 3 years ago

it was hilarious. its just you americans that get offended at everything . ok so all you sensitive black people out there, if a black person put white paint on his face would that be racist? no! SO STOP COMPLAINING.

Mr

K - from Mackay, 3 years ago

Well, the fun police strike again Harry needs a uniform,baton and a whistle! i thought it was hilariously funny and i'm a black fella!

Where was the racism?

Scott - from Adelaide, 3 years ago

The comment prior to the Jackson Jive coming on was "a tribute to the Jackson Five". So that, for all the people claiming it was racist, should have told them otherwise prior. Get over your arrogance. They respected Michael and his family, but you don't.

Not funny

Amerie - from Indianapolis, 3 years ago

Ok maybe the skit wouldn't have been as offensive if they would have left out the "Jive Talking" in the beginning between Jermaine and Randy.
Seriously was that necesary?
Number 2 what was the point in painting their faces black they could have did the skit without the face make-up... as a black person I was offended...
And to the people saying this is ok and humorous: Why don't you look up the history of blackface?

so

G - from Sydney, 3 years ago

i was pissing myself laughing when i watched that and to call them racist, i think is a bit over the top! it's a skit so get over it people!!!!

Hey Hey it's a no show

Charles Myers - from Sydney, 3 years ago

Seriously, this was crass and purile. What part of painting your face black and appearing on a show is ok in this day and age? Just because it was acceptable 30-40 years ago. It has no place today. I think we have grown up a little and understand a little more.. Well I hoped so...

Nongs...

Kersebleptes - from Novocastria, 3 years ago

So Dr Deva is going on the assumption: "I am of Indian background. Ergo, I cannot be racist- even when I appear on national television and perpetrate an atrocity against both good taste and a harmonious society." Portions of Indian society harbour appalling attitudes to dark skin. This is visited on darker-skinned Indians as well as others, but most viciously and shamefully on those of African background.

Racism, not 'retro'

Sarah - from Sydney, 3 years ago

I am completely horrified, both by this awful skit, and by some of the comments appearing on the stories about it. How can you possibly claim this was not racist? The guys were in 'blackface' for goodness sake! What on earth were the producers of this show thinking? And as for Daryl Somers' claims that the show was meant to be 'retro', Australia is behind the times enough, without needing to hark back to the bad old days when a sketch like this would have been considered even vaguely funny.

Mr

Luke - from Melbourne, 3 years ago

Harry is not suited to Hey hey, hes too uptight, he needs a dose of reality and clearly has the typical USA mentality.

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