Thoughts on "Whoopi" and "Happy Family"

[Toukee]

Originally posted by *GoodMorningCalgary*
Ummm he's Persian. He didn't like it when people called him Arab. I didn't even see the show and I even knew this

Well, Persia is Iran...or rather, Iran used to be called Persia.


Refering to himself as "Persian" was an anti-Iranian statement in itself, and then getting angy because he was called "Arab" was another statement against the Middle East in general - so it was sort of strange that the character kept making "subtle" pro-terrorism references. I got the feeling that the writers were just trying to be sooooo "cutting edge" with the Middle Eastern Character that they didn't even bother worrying about his sentiments making any sense.

[*GoodMorningCalgary*]

Originally posted by Toukee
Well, Persia is Iran...or rather, Iran used to be called Persia.


Refering to himself as "Persian" was an anti-Iranian statement in itself, and then getting angy because he was called "Arab" was another statement against the Middle East in general - so it was sort of strange that the character kept making "subtle" pro-terrorism references. I got the feeling that the writers were just trying to be sooooo "cutting edge" with the Middle Eastern Character that they didn't even bother worrying about his sentiments making any sense.

I'm Persian. this is the first time I've ever heard anyone say its an Anti-Iranian statement how is it anti-iranian? I actually don't see the point your trying to make here either.

[bb25]

Blechh!! I thought both of these shows sucked! Especially Happy Family, I mean, how ridiculous...the only thing I laughed at was watching these 2 shows limp through their time slots and then watching the superior "Frasier" and "Good Morning, Miami"...

[Toukee]

Originally posted by *GoodMorningCalgary*
I'm Persian. this is the first time I've ever heard anyone say its an Anti-Iranian statement how is it anti-iranian? I actually don't see the point your trying to make here either.

it's like if I refer to myself as a "Wisconsinite" (or maybe Wisconsinarian or something) instead of calling myself an American....it's a way of identifying your heritage/ethnicity/nationality or whatever - while not associating yourself with the government of your country.

ummmm...the most common example of this in America is the way many "Native Americans" will refer to themselves by their tribal affiliation, such as Hopi, Onondaga, Mohawk, or Cherokee (but not refer to themselves as "Americans" because they don't want to be associated with the average middle class, white, boarish American stereotype) - you also see the same sentiments displayed by Asians who refer to themselves as "Hmong" because they don't want any association to Viet Nam.

I mean absolutely no disrespect, Calgary - but there really is no such thing a "Persian" because Persia no longer exists. So calling yourself "Persian" is a way of connecting yourself to the past history of your ethnicity while not acknowledging the current government and political views of your country.

Now....the whole point I was trying to make is that the producers of "WHOOPI" didn't really know what they wanted to do with the "Persian" character - his lines went back and forth between being very politically correct to being damn racist at times. I think they just wanted the character to come across as "shocking" (or whatever) instead of actaully bothering to create a real character with a single point of view and logical deminsions to his personality.

[BLT]

Whoopi--I never really cared for her, so I didn't bother watching it.

Happy Family--The writing wasn't great, but seldom is any sitcom writing these days. I've been a big John Larroquette fan since Night Court and I loved his last show, "Payne". I was pleasantly pleased with his chemistry with Christine Baranski. Although I started to have my doubts in the first minute or two, they were quickly put to rest. The debut episode was pretty good, I just hope the ratings keep up and it doesn't end up like "Payne."

[OcelotGirl]

I have not seen Whoopi yet but liking Happy Family

[barwars]

Havent seen either.
Ive heard mixed reactions.
And Ill be sure to check them both out tomorrow night.

Whoopi doesnt look all that great, but Ill give it a try.
Same goes for Happy Family.