Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Australia Michael Jackson skit sparks racism calls
| Entertainment
|
My Profile
Top News
Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Subscribe
You are here:
Home
>
News
>
Entertainment
>
Article
Home
Business & Finance
News
U.S.
Politics
International
Technology
Entertainment
Film
Music
People
Television
Arts
Industry
Sports
Lifestyle
Oddly Enough
Health
Science
Special Coverage
Video
Pictures
Your View
The Great Debate
Blogs
Weather
Reader Feedback
Do More With Reuters
RSS
Widgets
Mobile
Podcasts
Newsletters
Your View
Make Reuters My Homepage
Partner Services
CareerBuilder
Affiliate Network
Professional Products
Support (Customer Zone)
Reuters Media
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Australia Michael Jackson skit sparks racism calls
Wed Oct 7, 2009 11:05pm EDT
Email | Print |
Share
| Reprints | Single Page
[-]
Text
[+]
CANBERRA (Reuters) - An Australian talent show skit based around late pop star Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 has backfired after U.S. guest star Harry Connick Jr called for an apology and viewers accused the program of racism.
The comedy troupe, who called themselves "Jackson Jive," painted their faces black and donned black afro wigs in the skit broadcast on Wednesday evening, prompting talent judge Connick to protest and "speak up as an American."
Five members of the group wore white suits and purple shirts, as well as a single jeweled glove favored for a time by Michael Jackson, who died suddenly in June.
Another dressed as Jackson himself, with white face paint.
"If I knew that was going to be part of the show I definitely wouldn't have done it," Connick said after calling a halt to the skit and awarding the six performing members with a zero rating.
The show's host apologized to Connick on air for the so-called "blackface" routine during a special reunion program watched by 2.3 million people, acknowledging producers had been briefed on the skit, based on a similar one performed 20 years previously.
Viewers criticized the skit on Twitter, with one calling the show "embarrassing and distasteful" and questioning whether "Is it racist for white folks to paint their faces black?"
While the live crowd was largely supportive of the skit, 62 percent of respondents to an online poll by The Courier-Mail newspaper called the segment "tasteless and racist."
(Reporting by Sarah Norgrove; Editing by Rob Taylor and Ron Popeski)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Share:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Mixx
Yahoo!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Next Article:
Barbra Streisand tops U.S. pop chart for ninth time
Also On Reuters
Blog: Amazon's Kindle going places, but rivals fast behind
Online ads: Big Brother or customer service?
Blog: Content, convergence and creativity
More Entertainment News
Fashion photographer Irving Penn dead at 92
Aerosmith guitarist goes solo as band flounders
Guy Ritchie says he still loves "retarded" Madonna
Beastie Boys' Yauch "hopeful" he has beaten cancer
Barbra Streisand tops U.S. pop chart for ninth time
| Video
More Entertainment News...
Editor's Choice
Slideshow
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow
Most Popular on Reuters
Articles
Video
8.1 magnitude earthquake strikes northwest of Vanuatu
Barbra Streisand tops U.S. pop chart for ninth time
Pakistan wants US 'trust,' drones, market access
Pakistan wants U.S. "'trust", drones, market access | Video
Amazon up on Kindle price cut, overseas launch
Afghan Taliban say they pose no threat to the West
Italian scientist reproduces Shroud of Turin
Guy Ritchie says he still loves "retarded" Madonna
Alcoa sees aluminum demand picking up in second half
Senate health bill costs pegged at $829 billion
Most Popular Articles RSS Feed
Video
Ribosome riddle delivers Nobel prize
Japan's next-gen green cars
Qureshi: Pakistan wants drones
Olympics give Rio shot at rebirth
Sister says remember Politkovskaya
Farmers plow coal to stop warming
CCTV captures Indonesia quake terror
Turkish protesters rock IMF meeting
Talk of the Town
Human lung stolen in Peru
Most Popular Videos RSS Feed
Reuters.com:
Help and Contact Us |
Advertise With Us |
Mobile |
Newsletters |
RSS |
Labs |
Journalism Handbook |
Archive |
Site Index |
Video Index
Thomson Reuters Corporate:
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Professional Products |
Professional Products Support |
About Thomson Reuters |
Careers
International Editions:
Africa |
Arabic |
Argentina |
Brazil |
Canada |
China |
France |
Germany |
India |
Italy |
Japan |
Latin America |
Mexico |
Russia |
Spain |
United Kingdom |
United States
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Thursday, 8 October 2009 Welcome to Hawaii Pacific Teleport
Welcome to Hawaii Pacific Teleport
Russian journalist's unsolved killing remembered
Egypt breaks ties with France's Louvre Museum
Japan's tech titans ready for 3D tussle
Turkey expects to seal deal with Armenia, doubts emerge
Turkey's Gul lobbies hostile France on EU bid
Nobel Peace prize seeks return to activist roots
| International
|
Iran says some countries offer it nuclear fuel
EU moves towards Microsoft truce
Hamas asks to delay reconciliation deal: Hamas source
Russia, Turkmenistan end gas dispute: Kremlin
Egyptian imam seeks $10 million in CIA renditions trial
| International
|
Saudi faces prison over TV sex revelations
Afghan vote subject to complex fraud audit
Ahmadinejad calls Geneva talks a 'step forward'
Somali pirates attack French military flagship
EU warns Czechs about costs of treaty delays
Annan says some Kenyan big men to face ICC
| International
|
French minister under fire for gay sex tourism
| International
|
Obama turning to Hollywood for health reform help
Dell plans first U.S. smartphone with AT&T: report
| Technology
|
Nearly 100 charged in US, Egypt in ID theft scheme
FCC chief lauds opening of wireless networks
| Technology
|
Statue of Helen Keller to be installed in Capitol
Djokovic cruises, Sharapova out at China Open
Orange County water main break creates sinkhole
Online ads: Big Brother or customer service?
| Technology
|
Ex-prep school dean charged with 4th sex assault
China: North Korea nuclear talks could resume
Google, authors asked to submit deal changes by November 9
| Technology
|
Duncan: Chicago education plan not causing deaths
Labor nominee clears divided Senate panel
Khmer Rouge tribunal summons gov't party officials
Vietnam typhoon damage estimate hits $785 mln: UN
Man sentenced to 7 years in frozen chicken scam
Typhoon threatens Japan; troops aid Philippines
Slain Florida couple's daughter appears on `Oprah'
Tajikistan downgrades Russian language
Maldives to hold cabinet meeting underwater
Pakistan expects 'tough resistance' in Waziristan
Biden stumps for NJ's Corzine at union convention
Myanmar's Suu Kyi meets junta minister: official
Foreign rescue teams leave quake-hit Indonesia city
HSBC in advanced talks on buying RBS Asia assets: report
Jaguar reports loan from Indian bank
Honda switches Japan work to British plant
IMF faces headwinds in expanded role
Panasonic, rivals fined for price-fixing
ADB lends $500 mln to revive Indonesian economy
Pakistani stocks rise to year high; rupee firms
Two new movies lift lid on Brazil's dark side
South Korean plane delayed by bird on board
Naomi Watts tops list of actresses to invest in
The Manhattan Transfer -- 40 years and still singing
Artist wraps women's eyes around old heart of Paris
With Obamas, art changes on White House walls
Indonesia mulls declaring villages mass graves
Last-minute Prince decision to stage two Paris concerts Sunday
Aid reaches villagers deep in Indonesia quake zone
Jung's Red Book on display for first time
A list of nominees at Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards
Aid helps quake victims and Indonesia's sick
Kandahar NATO base: hockey, discos and funerals
Post-Saddam film headlines Abu Dhabi festival
Naomi Watts tops list of actresses to invest in
| Entertainment
|
The Manhattan Transfer -- 40 years and still singing
| Entertainment
|
Two new movies lift lid on Brazil's dark side
| Entertainment
|
Obama mulls troop boost request for Afghanistan
British bank mulls huge rights issue: report
US-TECH Summary
Blast outside Indian embassy in Kabul kills 12
| International
|
UN attempts to defend neutrality in Afghanistan
Tiny device could speed breast cancer detection: study
Security Council to raise UN Gaza report next week
Mobile device makers want common earphone plugs
Pacific quakes stir panic but tsunamis tiny
| International
|
Typhoon Melor buffets Japan, disrupts industry
| International
|
U.N. council compromises over Gaza report debate
Pakistan wants U.S. 'trust, drones, market access
| International
|
FCC chief lauds wireless companies
Disappearance of Iranian scientist creates mystery
North Korea not near restoring nuclear plant: South
| International
|
Abbas faces more anger over UN war crimes report
Rights activists see double standard in Twitter arrest
Aer Lingus to slash hundreds of jobs, cut pay
US, Afghan troops seize tonnes of opium, kill 17 Taliban
Time 4 u 2 quit. Text messaging found to help smokers
Honduras talks start, police disperse protesters
| International
|
Dell closing US plant, cutting 900 jobs
Reformist website: Iran protester gets death sentence
| International
|
Google, authors to submit revised book deal Nov 9
Iraqi security forces strain budget, PM says
Taliban say control area after battle with U.S.
| International
|
Iran sees U.S. role in researcher's disappearance
| International
|
Saudi king in Damascus to mend fences with Assad
"Google phones" gaining market momentum
Hamas asks to delay reconciliation deal: Hamas source
YouTube pacts heighten copyright vigilance
Bing search gets vocal on new Samsung mobile phone
Bing search gets vocal on new Samsung mobile phone
Honduran leader offers to leave if Zelaya steps aside
'American Qur'an' blends US life, Quranic verses
Report: Global Muslim population hits 1.57 billion
Court papers: DNA at store matches elusive teen
Pakistan wants U.S. "trust", drones, market access
Pacific islanders flee as quakes prompt tsunami alert
Dell plans first U.S. smartphone with AT&T: source
| Technology
|
One dead as strong typhoon batters Japan
Time 4 u 2 quit. Text messaging found to help smokers
| Technology
|
China's Hu calls on police to protect Tiananmen
U.S. cool to Mugabe's overture for better ties
Rights activists see double standard in Twitter arrest
| Technology
|
Obama to make Asian debut tour next month
FCC chief lauds wireless companies
| Technology
|
U.S. Senate health bill costs pegged at $829 billion
Pakistan says US investment can fight extremism
Boxer plans hearing on toxic school drinking water
Pot legalization gains momentum in California
Small tsunami forms in Pacific, warnings canceled
Powerful 7.8 quake off Vanuatu, tsunami alert
Strong quakes near Vanuatu spark tsunami alert
Army unit's morale improving after 8 deaths
7.3 earthquake hits South Pacific, minutes after 7.8: USGS
Amid the global economic crisis, China rises
Korea Hot Stocks
Japan's current account surplus up 10.4 pct
Seoul shares up 0.4 pct; Tong Yang below IPO price
Fashion photographer Irving Penn dead at 92
| Entertainment
|
Aerosmith guitarist goes solo as band flounders
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea exports recovery seen accelerating -survey
Guy Ritchie says he still loves retarded Madonna
| Entertainment
|
Data adds to S.Korea econ hopes as rate rise looms
Beastie Boys' Yauch hopeful he has beaten cancer
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea T-bonds edge up on U.S. lead; rate vote eyed
Australia Michael Jackson skit sparks racism calls
| Entertainment
|
Barbra Streisand tops U.S. pop chart for ninth time
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares rise; Tong Yang Life below IPO price
British actress gets An Education in Oscar buzz
| Entertainment
|
Leonard Nimoy gets new sci-fi life on Fringe
| Entertainment
|
CBS orders full seasons of NCIS: LA, Good Wife
| Entertainment
|
Ellen Page to write comedy series for HBO
| Entertainment
|
A well-spoken Jude Law charges through 'Hamlet'
TV news channels explode in Europe but future unsure
Australia Michael Jackson skit sparks racism calls
No charges over Mel Gibson DUI report leaks
Guy Ritchie says he still loves "retarded" Madonna
Leonard Nimoy gets new sci-fi life on "Fringe"
Soprano Sills' estate sells for more than $500K
Fashion photographer Irving Penn dead at 92
British actress gets "An Education" in Oscar buzz
Celebrities to judge videos backing US health care reforms
Poland to sign EU's Lisbon treaty Sunday: ministry
Breakthrough hope for breast cancer treatment
Grim omens as U.S. envoy pursues Mideast relaunch
| International
|
Bank of England keeps interest rate at 0.5%
Car bomb kills 17 near Indian embassy in Kabul
At least 3 dead in Kabul blast: AFP photographer
US Solar Decathlon seeks best sun-powered homes
Italy's Berlusconi vows to stay, tension worrying
| International
|
Saudi Arabia, Syria urge unity government in Lebanon
| International
|
Nobel literature winner Mueller lost for words
| International
|
Turkey eyes talks by Azeri, Armenian leaders
| International
|
Japan new PM seeks to build trust with Beijing, Seoul
| International
|
Ex-cop pleads not guilty to posing as twin for sex
Landslide kills 6 Philippine health workers
Pakistani government defends US aid bill
Highest military court to hear Abu Ghraib appeal
Nadal edges Blake to reach China Open quarters
Red Cross aid appeal for Indonesia quake victims
Scientists race to prevent ash tree's extinction
New quakes, small tsunami panic Pacific islanders
Woman found in Fla. home under 8 feet of trash
Japan court acquits file-sharing software creator
Radio host seeks pardon for executed SC ancestors
Taiwan court orders hearing on Chen detention
'Nazi guard' trial to begin November 30: court
Roadside bomb wounds 10 soldiers in Thai south
AP NewsAlert
US encounters stumbling blocks in training Afghans
Sex crime charges shock Oregon wine country town
Obama to hold private meetings
WRAPUP 2-S.Korea ups lending controls, rate rise bets still on
Pakistani stocks, rupee end weaker on U.S. aid row
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $14.75 bln
Oil prices rebound as stock markets surge
Taiwan dollar hits 1-yr high on funds, exporters
SKorea, EU to set final text of trade deal
S.Korea, EU to sign free trade deal next week
Australia bank loses tax avoidance case in NZ
Indian firms' earnings weak, better times ahead
Widow asks Toyota to act quickly on floor mats
Nobel literature winner Mueller lost for words
| Entertainment
|
Indonesia police say Sulawesi "blast" not bomb
Indonesia's Golkar party elects new head
Indonesian graft fighter charged with murder
Herta Mueller wins Nobel Literature Prize
Pusan festival opens with Korean political comedy
Aussie TV channel apologises for Jackson sketch
Thai villager beats back waves, but faces new threat
Van Gogh was also a wordsmith, his letters reveal
Nick Nolte's son, Brawley Nolte, arrested
Herta Mueller wins Nobel Literature Prize
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Beastie Boys' Yauch "hopeful" he has beaten cancer
CBS orders full seasons of "NCIS: LA", "Good Wife"
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights