Dave's Fiction Warehouse

In which I bloviate about books, TV, movies, politics and other stuff.

  • Books
  • Movies
  • TV
  • politics
  • Other Stuff
  • thatfuckingtrump

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Powered by Genesis

Not amused in Wichita

October 3, 2008 by Dave Knadler

I’m trying to remember the last time I heard of someone doing a skit in blackface where it didn’t provoke a certain amount of outrage. I think I have to go all the way back to 1993, when Ted Danson tried it. Oh, wait: People got mad about that too.

So really, Arkansas City Mayor Mell Kuhn should have seen this coming. Perhaps during early rehearsals for the skit featuring “Smellishis Poon and the Red Hot Poontangs,” he might have reflected that comedy relying on racism ceased to be funny about 50 years ago. And that’s the bigger crime here: Yeah, it’s racially offensive, but what’s worse is that there are still people out there who laugh uproariously at this kind of crap. It’s a crime against comedy. This is where I need to point out that Mayor Kuhn’s skit was named the winner at the fundraiser where it was performed.

The Wichita NAACP is predictably annoyed about this, and they’ve wrung an awkward apology out of Mayor Kuhn. The mayor, in his defense, cites movies like Norbit and The Nutty Professor as his inspiration. Fair enough. But Mr. Mayor: Eddie Murphy is black. And I shouldn’t have to mention that those films weren’t funny either.

More along these lines:

  • noomi rapace in prometheusSummer movies: One in 33 ain’t bad
  • the furious hoursFifty-two books
    and counting
  • Now that’s some writingNow that’s some writing
  • Tell me you hate thisTell me you hate this
  • It’s still crap, only widerIt’s still crap, only wider

Filed Under: Uncategorized

About Dave Knadler

Obscure writer. Lazy photographer. Bashful guitarist. Perhaps too fond of wine. Tireless nemesis of New York Times crosswords, Wordle, Semantle and all other puzzles du jour.

Recent posts

  • We don’t need no stinking followers
  • This could be
    the last time
  • Still life with dicks
  • Not throwing away
    my shot
  • February fugue

Recent comments

  • Paul Silverman on We don’t need no stinking followers
  • Dave Knadler on We don’t need no stinking followers
  • Dave Knadler on We don’t need no stinking followers
  • Dave Knadler on We don’t need no stinking followers
  • Dave Knadler on We don’t need no stinking followers

FInd something

send dave cash

The obligatory PayPal donation button. Go ahead: Make my day.