I do think Tracy Morgan is pretty funny and I am a big 30 Rock - fan. But sometimes when I see him, or Martin Lawrence, and sometimes Chris Rock, I wonder to myself...(and I apologize if this is offensive in any way) - do African-Americans enjoy constantly being depicted this way?
One of the favourite speed skaters in the 1000 m and 1500 m is black (from the States). There are quite a few black athletes, so I don't agree with him at all.
Where are random photos and blind items? Is everything OK enty? I hope nothing serious happened. Maybe enty finally put on enough-weight to be basement-bound.
chris rock and tracy morgon have vastly different styles of comedy. i feel like you could argue the same point about the red neck comedy troupes, i.e. jeff foxworthy, larry the cable guy etc. Do white men from the south all act like that? I get what your point is however i feel like this applies to many generes of comedy and to narrow it to just those black comedians is misleading of how all comedians heighten their act to exagerate sterotypes within that particular group.
I am not able to view the video clip but I can say that Tracy Morgan and the rest of the A.A. comedians that you named are depicting THEMSELVES in a certain way. They are not representative of ALL African Americans nor do they have the education or skills sets to speak for a whole race/ethnic group of people.
Where is the Blind?? Is everything okay? Ahhh. I'm going crazy. The best part of coming into work in the morning is to come to this site and read the Blind Item :(
not on my dollar - I get that comedians play roles and that they are out there as comedian versions of themselves. It just appears to me that many ethnicities are always represented in a certain way - which, I suppose, is not really news. I guess when it comes to roles, choices are limited, just as it is for female actors of a certain age to find good parts.
Jasmine - I thought about that too, and I guess what makes it comedy is the exaggeration of certain stereotypes. I was just wondering if it ever becomes irritating since it's so hard for any minority to find visibility and role models in the media.
The A.A. comedians roles are not necessarily limited to a certain "stereotype". This is a choice and is used as an excuse for their lack of talent, education and class.
Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Tyler Perry, have control over their roles but feel that they will lose their fan bass (primarily A.A.) if they don't play into a stereotype.
Will Smith (box office gold) on the other hand started his acting career as a comedian but he chose to play the role of a typical kid. Now he's moved on to become a serious actor who plays parts that were not necessarily written for African Americans. He, plays the role of a human being which is the only way African Americans should be viewed.
I do think Tracy Morgan is pretty funny and I am a big 30 Rock - fan. But sometimes when I see him, or Martin Lawrence, and sometimes Chris Rock, I wonder to myself...(and I apologize if this is offensive in any way) - do African-Americans enjoy constantly being depicted this way?
ReplyDeleteTracy Morgan's/30 Rock Werewolf Bar Mitzvah is the best ever to me.
ReplyDeleteIf Tracy Morgan's crazy act is really just an act, he deserves a lifetime Academy Award. But he is really funny.
ReplyDelete@ Harriet, I agree with the depiction issues. The Winter Olympics aren't watched by blacks? What does that mean?
ReplyDeleteThat was funny, but he sure seemed to be on something
ReplyDeletehe's a trip...love him.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't see similarities between the three comedians.
ReplyDeleteHow many black athletes are competing in the winter games?
It's an act. He's funny and talented, and maybe a little crazy.
ReplyDeleteOne of the favourite speed skaters in the 1000 m and 1500 m is black (from the States). There are quite a few black athletes, so I don't agree with him at all.
ReplyDeletebtw...Canada just won another GOLD!!!
Enty, where is our blind item?
ReplyDeleteWhere are random photos and blind items? Is everything OK enty? I hope nothing serious happened. Maybe enty finally put on enough-weight to be basement-bound.
ReplyDeletechris rock and tracy morgon have vastly different styles of comedy.
ReplyDeletei feel like you could argue the same point about the red neck comedy troupes, i.e. jeff foxworthy, larry the cable guy etc.
Do white men from the south all act like that?
I get what your point is however i feel like this applies to many generes of comedy and to narrow it to just those black comedians is misleading of how all comedians heighten their act to exagerate sterotypes within that particular group.
@harriet- i wasnt offended though, just wanted to give another example of how a group of comedians can all act or be depicted a certain way :)
ReplyDelete@harriet,
ReplyDeleteI am not able to view the video clip but I can say that Tracy Morgan and the rest of the A.A. comedians that you named are depicting THEMSELVES in a certain way. They are not representative of ALL African Americans nor do they have the education or skills sets to speak for a whole race/ethnic group of people.
I love him. He cracks me up.
ReplyDeleteHey, Enty, I just got home and I miss you. Hope everything is ok. Maybe you're transfixed by the Olympics--or practicing your curling skills.
ReplyDeleteI had managed to forget how obsessed people become about these games! I really dont get it, but sports is not my thing
ReplyDeleteWhere is the Blind?? Is everything okay? Ahhh. I'm going crazy. The best part of coming into work in the morning is to come to this site and read the Blind Item :(
ReplyDeleteCrap! Now I have to do some *real* work..
seriously where the EFF is Enty?!? This has been happening a lot lately so i hope all is ok.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThat was funny?
ReplyDeletenot on my dollar - I get that comedians play roles and that they are out there as comedian versions of themselves. It just appears to me that many ethnicities are always represented in a certain way - which, I suppose, is not really news. I guess when it comes to roles, choices are limited, just as it is for female actors of a certain age to find good parts.
ReplyDeleteJasmine - I thought about that too, and I guess what makes it comedy is the exaggeration of certain stereotypes. I was just wondering if it ever becomes irritating since it's so hard for any minority to find visibility and role models in the media.
Hi Harriet,
ReplyDeleteThe A.A. comedians roles are not necessarily limited to a certain "stereotype". This is a choice and is used as an excuse for their lack of talent, education and class.
Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Tyler Perry, have control over their roles but feel that they will lose their fan bass (primarily A.A.) if they don't play into a stereotype.
Will Smith (box office gold) on the other hand started his acting career as a comedian but he chose to play the role of a typical kid. Now he's moved on to become a serious actor who plays parts that were not necessarily written for African Americans. He, plays the role of a human being which is the only way African Americans should be viewed.
Harriet- THat actually a really good point.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to find this guy funny. He always seems like someone with an IQ of 40 spewing stuff from his mouth.
ReplyDeleteWhat is he ON?
ReplyDelete