Blackface Jackson Skit Stuns Connick Jr.; Others Call Him a Hypocrite

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 8th 2009 06:46AM

An Australian variety show featuring performers parodying the Jackson Five while in blackface so outraged its American judge, that the program's host immediately apologized.

New Orleans native Harry Connick Jr. was serving as a guest judge on Wednesday night's 'Hey Hey It's Saturday' when he became visibly shocked by the skit, in which four men with afro wigs and dark make-up calling themselves the "Jackson Jive" sang and danced behind a Michael Jackson impersonator wearing white makeup. Watch it after the jump.

Connick gave the skit a zero and later confronted the show's host, Daryl Somers, about the taboo subject.

"I just want to say, on behalf of my country, I know it was done humorously, but we've spent so much time trying to not make black people look like buffoons, that when we see something like that we take it really to heart," he told Somers.

Somers seemed to realize the mistake and immediately apologized to Connick personally.

"I know that to your countrymen, that's an insult to have a blackface routine like that on the show, so I do apologize to you," Somers said.

According to reports, the singer walked off the show after the skit and later said he'd wished he never agreed to participate on the show. "If I knew that was going to be part of the show I definitely wouldn't have done it."

'Harry the Hypocrite'

But just as he is being lauded for calling out the Australian group's insensitive skit, Connick Jr. is also being labeled a hypocrite by many. In 1996, the singer-actor played a preacher in a 'Mad TV' sketch where his skin appears to be darker than usual. While he clearly isn't in actual blackface, viewers of the clip are wasting no time calling him out on a double standard.

"Harry is a hypocrite of the highest order, typical shallow celebrity with double standards, do as i say, not as i do ..." posted AussieOz07 in the comments section of the clip, found on YouTube.

According to the AP, Anand Deva, the frontman of the "Jackson Jive" act, said it was not meant to cause offense but added he would not have performed it in the United States.

Public reaction to the performance in online forums was mixed. Some Australians said they were embarrassed such a racist sketch had been broadcast, while others said detractors were too politically correct and that the skit was funny.

Michael Jackson died June 25 at age 50.

Tags: blackface, harry connick jr., HarryConnickJr., Jackson 5, Jackson5, michael jackson, MichaelJackson

Comments

(268)

Thursday 08 October

By Cindy V

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Oh brother... with all the truly IMPORTANT things going on in this world the readers here find a stupid skit offensive and yet the 2nd skit not offensive. What a waste of time and energy, lets not forget to mention a bit prejudice. These Hollywood nobodys crack me up. They really think their opinions are important. Well, they're NOT! They are just people with a doing a job and their opinions and/or thoughts don't matter any more then yours or mine do. I do like Harry Connick jr as an actor/entertainer, but that's it.

By Shi

There's a difference between tastefully done and absolute ignorance.

By cc

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OK - has anyone every read any history about the Irish? White, straight males and females and children kicked of their land and sold into slavery. They were even made to work the land that was stolen from them! So, as wrong as this skit may have been, it's not just a black issue.

By landers

People are in black face every year at the Zulu Parade in New Orleans. What does Harry Connick, Mr. Mardi Gras, think of that? It's all in good fun when it's done at Mardi Gras and that's it?

By Bill Twilbeck

As a fellow New Orleanian who is familiar with Mr. Connick and his family I can truly understand his disgust. AS D.A. his father was truly concerned with racism at a time in La. when that was not popular. It was through leaders like his father, and the continuance of their legacy that hopefully we can eradicate racism everywhere.
Way to go Harry! Harry Sr. would have done the same!

By Don Shook

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Whatever happened to fun and satire? What a pc mess this world has become. Oh, I'm sorry...I'm sure I just offended literary people and metaphorites...Oh, my let's just remain quiet and never say anything. Fools!

By wstarhopper

If you wont do a skit in the US then why did you do it in Austrailia? That explaination does not make sense. Harry Connick did nothing wrong and and I am glad that he did the right thing. I have a feeling that he did not know before hand what this act was about. Hooray for Harry!

By INDIVIDUALTERRY

HARRY DOESNT REPRESENT THIS COUNTRY SO HE CAN KEEP HIS APOLOGY TO HIMSELF..HE NEEDS TO LIGHTEN UP..SO TO SPEAK.

By joanne

Thanks Harry, and regarding the skit in 1996, He didn't have blackface on, and If you even learn to be sensitive about race relations 2 years later it is better than continueing to be ignorant all your life. Thanks Harry for speaking up.

By sarah

Walmart's prices are better b-tch!! $3.00 per piece!! Get the f-ck off the comments sections of all theSE articles!!@ZZ You're ignorant if you think anyone is going to buy anything from YOU HERE!! Go the F-CK AWAY!!

By mallisa

im so sick pullin up whhat happpened in past made our country!!!! black,white and other races............ yes its wrong of what happened back then........ i dun think that skit was offensive 2 the point that its racism....... they were doin a skit of 1 of best groups that ever been. sure that was a mmistake but you all wouldnt complain if they were other way around playin the beatles n w/ white paint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Jeanana

I agree with Harry Connick Jr as a human being I was offended by the black face,As a Black Women I was more offended by the name "The Jackson Jive " and the disrespect to Michael Jackson and his family. They are icons for American Music it just shows how the black culture is perceived around the world.

By Ron

i will be glad when black or white dont matter, But some people need their crutch. So when they fail, they have someone to blame it on.

By Scott

This really wasn't a true blackface performance, just a very misguided and tasteless attempt at a comical tribute. They aren't trying to be racist, just trying to be funny in the wrong way. There is a huge difference in what Harry did in the skit, and what these guys did. The key difference is that Harry's skit doesn't have the malicious sentiment associated with a blackface routine. Like Harry said in the interview, this is seen in America as a degrading sterotype, making blacks look like bufoons. Also remember that Americans may be the only ones that find this offensive.

By boyadj45

what is wrong with that? what an insecure colr black must be to jump at every joke, and how phoney and gay can those whites get?

By Francine

Harry did the right thing, there is a big time difference between 1996 and 2004. Also he has children now and would like to set a good example. Australians are just as racist as America. We know how they tear the Aborigine's, and that is why they ha no problems with the skit in the first place

By Sean

Have you ever seen the movie "White Chicks" starring the Wayans Brothers? Amazing...everyone thought it was funny because they were making fun of white people. But the second someone puts on black makeup to make fun of black people O BOY watch out!

This is so ridiculous. They were IMPERSONATING the jackson five. SO WHAT?! It would've looked even more weird and would've been even more uncomfortable if they DIDN'T put on the make up!

Lighten up!

By doug

@Sean

I understand what you are saying,and YES ..."White Chicks" was FUNNY, but the dudes in the video just
looked too "Al Jolson-ish". It just goes a lot deeper
with US when we see that because that time period was VERY bad for Blacks. I know it seems unfair, but remember... the sensitivity comes from seeing the "BlackFace" and associating it with my whole race being insulted... (in the past). Correct me if I am wrong, but Whites have not had to deal with a situation like this.

By Doug

As a Black Man, I was indeed offended. At the same time I realize that it was another Country, and if I had to guess, I dont think they did it with the intent to insult. The shows host was cool to notice and let Harry Speak, and it was cool of Harry to speak on it. Also, I don't think that Harry's MadTV skit is even in the same category, just my opinion.

By Lisa

He's not even attempting to act black in that skit! His hair is not kinked and listen to his accent!! Gimme a break! Not only were those Australian guys offensive THEY SUCKED!

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