Polish group complains to Fox about 'Back to You' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-20-2007, 10:26 PM

A national Polish-American organization is fired up with the folks at Fox over what the president of the group says is an offensive comment made by a character on "Back to You."

Officials of the Polish American Congress are demanding a sit-down with Fox owner Rupert Murdoch and to have the show stop referring to the character as Polish.

At issue is a recent episode of "Back to You" in which one character said to another: "Bowling is in your Polish blood, like kielbasa and collaborating with the Nazis."

"What we found so troubling is the attribution of a Polish identity to a character portrayed as someone less than competent," wrote group chairman Frank Milewski in a letter to Murdoch. "We believe any ethnic group would be offended by having Fox portray it in such a derogatory manner."

In the episode, staffers at the fictional station at the center of the show were planning to go bowling. Gary Crezyzewski (Ty Burrell) can't go, so Marsh McGinley (Fred Willard) utters the line in question. McGinley in the past has made fun of African-American, Hispanics, gays, Jews and others.

"While the comments in question were outlandish, they were entirely in keeping with this character's ignorance and cluelessness," a Fox spokesman said in a statement. "He's an 'equal opportunity offender' who speaks before he thinks. However, we apologize to any viewers who may have been offended."

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...bout_back.html

catlover79 · 11-21-2007, 12:52 AM

Oh, for pete's sake - did these same people complain about Wojo when Barney Miller was on the air??

Brian Damage · 11-21-2007, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Oh, for pete's sake - did these same people complain about Wojo when Barney Miller was on the air??

Ridiculous huh? lol

Brian Damage · 11-21-2007, 02:29 AM

copy of letter by Lucja Sliwa sent to Chicago Tribune:

On November 14, 2007 Fox Television (Channel 32 in Chicago) broadcast an outrageously offensive historical lie veiled as comedic banter, which only makes it all the more insidious (“….it’s in your Polish blood, like kielbasa and collaborating with the Nazis”).

Steven Levitan and his team of writers and producers either possess the historical knowledge of the average Jay Leno “Jay-walker”, or had made a deliberate, malicious attempt to smear Americans of Polish descent and the Polish Nation as a whole.

Poland suffered unimaginable losses at the hands of Nazi Germany and no other nation fought the Nazis as long and as valiantly as did the Poles while many countries continued to do business with Hitler and chose not to honor treaties to come to Poland’s aid.

Poland lost millions of its citizens in the murderous war and occupation. Her capital, Warsaw, was ruthlessly shelled, burned and bombed by the Germans until only rubble remained of historic homes, government buildings, hospitals and churches.

Poland was the only country in occupied Europe where the death penalty was imposed for harboring Jews. Often entire Polish families, including babies, were murdered by barbaric Germans when a Jew was discovered hiding in their home. And yet, contrary to anti-Polish propaganda spewed by the likes of J.T. Gross, Alan Dershovitz and their ilk (and now Fox TV?), more Poles than people of any other nation came to the aid of Jews seeking shelter. Just count the number of “Polish” trees in the Righteous Among Nations Garden in the Yad Vashem.

The Fox Television Network, as well as the producers and writers of “Back to You” need to apologize not only to the millions of Polish Americans, but to all viewers who were subjected to this revisionism of world history - canned laughter is not a mitigating factor.

We all know that, unfortunately, many children and young people “learn” history not by reading books but by watching television shows and inferior quality movies – a handy tool for revisionists, indeed.

Until this assault on decency and historical truth is rectified I urge all readers, regardless of nationality, race or religion to call, email, fax or write the Fox Television Network and demand an apology to your fellow citizens and Poles throughout the world.

catlover79 · 11-21-2007, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Ridiculous huh? lol

Reason #68,245,798,471 WHY POLITICAL CORRECTNESS SUCKS!!!!!!

Brian Damage · 11-21-2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Reason #68,245,798,471 WHY POLITICAL CORRECTNESS SUCKS!!!!!!

Brian Damage · 11-21-2007, 09:40 AM

Facing pressure from Polish officials and Polish-American groups, Fox last night apologized for airing an "insensitive line of dialogue" in an episode of "Back to You" and vowed never to air the clip again.

The move to cut the line from the sitcom came after the Polish consul general in New York, Krzysztof Kasprzyk, sent a note to Polish-American groups asking them to write to Fox boss Rupert Murdoch.

At issue was a line from actor Fred Willard, who plays an ignorant sportscaster. "Bowling is in your Polish blood, like kielbasa and collaborating with the Nazis," said Willard's character.

What especially troubled the Polish-American groups is that Poland was the only Nazi-occupied country that did not collaborate with the Nazis.

"In no way was this dialogue meant to insinuate any connection between the Polish people and the Nazi movement," Fox said in a statement. "The line was delivered by a character known for being ignorant, clueless and for saying outlandish things. Allowing the line to remain in the show, however, demonstrated poor judgment, and we apologize to anyone who was offended."

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...h_slur_on.html

JulieSomoski · 11-21-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Facing pressure from Polish officials and Polish-American groups, Fox last night apologized for airing an "insensitive line of dialogue" in an episode of "Back to You" and vowed never to air the clip again.

The move to cut the line from the sitcom came after the Polish consul general in New York, Krzysztof Kasprzyk, sent a note to Polish-American groups asking them to write to Fox boss Rupert Murdoch.

At issue was a line from actor Fred Willard, who plays an ignorant sportscaster. "Bowling is in your Polish blood, like kielbasa and collaborating with the Nazis," said Willard's character.

What especially troubled the Polish-American groups is that Poland was the only Nazi-occupied country that did not collaborate with the Nazis.

"In no way was this dialogue meant to insinuate any connection between the Polish people and the Nazi movement," Fox said in a statement. "The line was delivered by a character known for being ignorant, clueless and for saying outlandish things. Allowing the line to remain in the show, however, demonstrated poor judgment, and we apologize to anyone who was offended."

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...h_slur_on.html

Oh you've got to be kidding me. That was one of the funnier lines in the episode . . . now they're not gonna air it again just because some crazy group trying to look for something to complain about says so? I'm polish, and I didn't find that disturbing or offensive at all.

TV_Fan · 11-21-2007, 09:36 PM

I'm really sick of political correctness. That's why there's no more Chistmas trees where I live. They're now all "holiday trees". God forbid we offend someone when Chistmas comes around.

Someone will always find something to complain about. They really better not edit out the line in future airing of the episode or on the DVD when it gets released. Maybe I'll have something to complain about then!

TURBOCSX · 11-22-2007, 05:29 PM

it's gotten so bad that i have noticed people dont even say "happy thanksgiving". This year, it's been replaced by "have a happy holiday" who are we going to offend with thanksgiving?

TV_Fan · 11-22-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TURBOCSX

it's gotten so bad that i have noticed people dont even say "happy thanksgiving". This year, it's been replaced by "have a happy holiday" who are we going to offend with thanksgiving?

Dang! I guess one could make a point that Native Americans might get offended because they got the short end of the stick.

Soon we won't even be able to say "good morning" to anyone for fear they might be a pessimist and take offense!

Janice · 11-22-2007, 11:16 PM

I swear that some people get out of bed in the morning, just looking for something to get offended over.

catlover79 · 11-23-2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I swear that some people get out of bed in the morning, just looking for something to get offended over.

Nicely put.

Ireneparalegal · 11-23-2007, 01:11 AM

Are these the same fools who complained abt HO HO HO at Christmas time?

catlover79 · 11-23-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Are these the same fools who complained abt HO HO HO at Christmas time?

Probably.

11-20-2007, 10:26 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Polish group complains to Fox about 'Back to You' A national Polish-American organization is fired up with the folks at Fox over what the president of the group says is an offensive comment made by a character on "Back to You." Officials of the Polish American Congress are demanding a sit-down with Fox owner Rupert Murdoch and to have the show stop referring to the character as Polish. At issue is a recent episode of "Back to You" in which one character said to another: "Bowling is in your Polish blood, like kielbasa and collaborating with the Nazis." "What we found so troubling is the attribution of a Polish identity to a character portrayed as someone less than competent," wrote group chairman Frank Milewski in a letter to Murdoch. "We believe any ethnic group would be offended by having Fox portray it in such a derogatory manner." In the episode, staffers at the fictional station at the center of the show were planning to go bowling. Gary Crezyzewski (Ty Burrell) can't go, so Marsh McGinley (Fred Willard) utters the line in question. McGinley in the past has made fun of African-American, Hispanics, gays, Jews and others. "While the comments in question were outlandish, they were entirely in keeping with this character's ignorance and cluelessness," a Fox spokesman said in a statement. "He's an 'equal opportunity offender' who speaks before he thinks. However, we apologize to any viewers who may have been offended." http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...bout_back.html
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11-21-2007, 12:52 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Oh, for pete's sake - did these same people complain about Wojo when Barney Miller was on the air??
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11-21-2007, 09:40 AM	#7
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Shamed Fox apologizes for Polish slur on 'Back to You' Facing pressure from Polish officials and Polish-American groups, Fox last night apologized for airing an "insensitive line of dialogue" in an episode of "Back to You" and vowed never to air the clip again. The move to cut the line from the sitcom came after the Polish consul general in New York, Krzysztof Kasprzyk, sent a note to Polish-American groups asking them to write to Fox boss Rupert Murdoch. At issue was a line from actor Fred Willard, who plays an ignorant sportscaster. "Bowling is in your Polish blood, like kielbasa and collaborating with the Nazis," said Willard's character. What especially troubled the Polish-American groups is that Poland was the only Nazi-occupied country that did not collaborate with the Nazis. "In no way was this dialogue meant to insinuate any connection between the Polish people and the Nazi movement," Fox said in a statement. "The line was delivered by a character known for being ignorant, clueless and for saying outlandish things. Allowing the line to remain in the show, however, demonstrated poor judgment, and we apologize to anyone who was offended." http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...h_slur_on.html

11-23-2007, 01:11 AM	#14
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Are these the same fools who complained abt HO HO HO at Christmas time?
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11-21-2007, 02:29 AM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	copy of letter by Lucja Sliwa sent to Chicago Tribune: On November 14, 2007 Fox Television (Channel 32 in Chicago) broadcast an outrageously offensive historical lie veiled as comedic banter, which only makes it all the more insidious (“….it’s in your Polish blood, like kielbasa and collaborating with the Nazis”). Steven Levitan and his team of writers and producers either possess the historical knowledge of the average Jay Leno “Jay-walker”, or had made a deliberate, malicious attempt to smear Americans of Polish descent and the Polish Nation as a whole. Poland suffered unimaginable losses at the hands of Nazi Germany and no other nation fought the Nazis as long and as valiantly as did the Poles while many countries continued to do business with Hitler and chose not to honor treaties to come to Poland’s aid. Poland lost millions of its citizens in the murderous war and occupation. Her capital, Warsaw, was ruthlessly shelled, burned and bombed by the Germans until only rubble remained of historic homes, government buildings, hospitals and churches. Poland was the only country in occupied Europe where the death penalty was imposed for harboring Jews. Often entire Polish families, including babies, were murdered by barbaric Germans when a Jew was discovered hiding in their home. And yet, contrary to anti-Polish propaganda spewed by the likes of J.T. Gross, Alan Dershovitz and their ilk (and now Fox TV?), more Poles than people of any other nation came to the aid of Jews seeking shelter. Just count the number of “Polish” trees in the Righteous Among Nations Garden in the Yad Vashem. The Fox Television Network, as well as the producers and writers of “Back to You” need to apologize not only to the millions of Polish Americans, but to all viewers who were subjected to this revisionism of world history - canned laughter is not a mitigating factor. We all know that, unfortunately, many children and young people “learn” history not by reading books but by watching television shows and inferior quality movies – a handy tool for revisionists, indeed. Until this assault on decency and historical truth is rectified I urge all readers, regardless of nationality, race or religion to call, email, fax or write the Fox Television Network and demand an apology to your fellow citizens and Poles throughout the world.

11-21-2007, 09:36 PM	#9
TV_Fan Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 15, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 876	I'm really sick of political correctness. That's why there's no more Chistmas trees where I live. They're now all "holiday trees". God forbid we offend someone when Chistmas comes around. Someone will always find something to complain about. They really better not edit out the line in future airing of the episode or on the DVD when it gets released. Maybe I'll have something to complain about then!

11-22-2007, 05:29 PM	#10
TURBOCSX Arnold Ziffel Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 06, 2007 Location: NY Posts: 109	it's gotten so bad that i have noticed people dont even say "happy thanksgiving". This year, it's been replaced by "have a happy holiday" who are we going to offend with thanksgiving?

11-22-2007, 11:16 PM	#12
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I swear that some people get out of bed in the morning, just looking for something to get offended over.