NBC's "Outsourced"

[Bryan]

Unfortunately, one of those gags that will be taken as entirely seriously by those of a certain bent.  (And I'm not talking about you, Samir.)

Duh, that's me, I guess. What can I say? Joel Stein's wit flew over my head.

[Sarah]

I meant your racist types, Bryan.  I can see a lot of people reading that article and nodding in agreement.

[Bryan]

Ha ha, yeah, but knee-jerk PC scolds like me are just as likely to take it at face value!

[fonpr]

Unfortunately, one of those gags that will be taken as entirely seriously by those of a certain bent.  (And I'm not talking about you, Samir.)

Just like Nicolò Machiavelli's The Prince.

And "greed is good" from Wall Street.

[Sarah]

Oh, don't get me wrong, Bryan:  I knew it was intended to be a joke, yet my hackles still rose.

[Andy]

I was being 100% serious and refuse to apologize for my hilarious/insightful line.

[Hugman 3.0]

Unfortunately, one of those gags that will be taken as entirely seriously by those of a certain bent.  (And I'm not talking about you, Samir.)

Duh, that's me, I guess. What can I say? Joel Stein's wit flew over my head.

Yea, I'm totally lost, too.

I worked with one of the two guys from those cell phone commercials the other day.  He was a nice dude. He's laughing all the way to the bank on that one.

[JonFromMaplewood]

Unfortunately, one of those gags that will be taken as entirely seriously by those of a certain bent.  (And I'm not talking about you, Samir.)

Sorry, I should have clarified...I got that the article was a gag, but a really awful, unfunny gag.

[cutout]

I think I know what you mean Jon. If I saw the trailer with no other context, it would make me pretty wary.

Here's what I'm wondering, though - did the writers/network think this show would avoid backlash because Indians are perceived as being so well-integrated into Western culture at this point? The cultural and business relationships that exist between the West and India at this point are part of our everyday lives, especially those of us who work in technology. Also, the cast is largely Indian, so it's not like a minstrel show where their identities are being projected by White actors in bad faith. Maybe the writers thought satirizing an office of Indian employees isn't too different than making fun of "our own" (think of Texans and Mexicans portrayed in King of the Hill or the cast of Trailer Park Boys). On one hand the show seems like it's skating thin ice, but it also seems like they're trying to be more topical than racist. Then again, I've only read reviews, haven't see the whole show.

[Pidgeon]

I think I know what you mean Jon. If I saw the trailer with no other context, it would make me pretty wary.

Here's what I'm wondering, though - did the writers/network think this show would avoid backlash because Indians are perceived as being so well-integrated into Western culture at this point? The cultural and business relationships that exist between the West and India at this point are part of our everyday lives, especially those of us who work in technology. Also, the cast is largely Indian, so it's not like a minstrel show where their identities are being projected by White actors in bad faith. Maybe the writers thought satirizing an office of Indian employees isn't too different than making fun of "our own" (think of Texans and Mexicans portrayed in King of the Hill or the cast of Trailer Park Boys). On one hand the show seems like it's skating thin ice, but it also seems like they're trying to be more topical than racist. Then again, I've only read reviews, haven't see the whole show.

I thought the joke in Trailer Park Boys was that nobody there is actually like that. I don't know, I've never been.

[redmedicine]

FWIW, Indian folks are falling on both sides of the fence about this show as well (http://www.sepiamutiny.com/sepia/archives/006165.html).  The movie handled the culture clash thing tolerably, but it looks like the show will be more broad with the humor.  As an Indian, I definitely have mixed emotions about this kind of show, but I don't think it's out and out racism.  The poster on the link above talks about cringing and laughing at the same time, which is pretty accurate.  I'm guessing after the first few episodes, it'll settle down into an Office style modern comedy. 

And hey, it can't be any worse than Aliens in America, right?

[Bryan]

I thought the joke in Trailer Park Boys was that nobody there is actually like that. I don't know, I've never been.

Nope. Canada's got its share of redneck goons, too.

[Sarah]

I can attest to that:  I'm friendly with a bunch of them.

[Steeley Chris]

Unfortunately, one of those gags that will be taken as entirely seriously by those of a certain bent.  (And I'm not talking about you, Samir.)

Duh, that's me, I guess. What can I say? Joel Stein's wit flew over my head.

We sincerely regret that any of our readers were upset by this humor column of Joel Stein's. It was in no way intended to cause offense.

I didn't get it either. I though I knew what humor was, too.
But seriously, passing racism off as comedy/humor is weak and lazy. And racist.

[Sarah]

That tea party letter was hilarious, though.