Controversy?!? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Elaine Benes · 01-18-2004, 05:01 PM

I read today, that during Seinfeld's original run, there was somewhat of a controversy about a lack of minority characters on the show. Was this true? Personally, I think there were alot of minorities on the show. Granted they weren't the stars, but there were alot. For instance, Mr. Morgan, Carl the exterminator, Winona, Ping, Jackie Chiles etc, etc.

Maestro · 01-18-2004, 05:28 PM

I bet there were gripes & whiners ( I remember there was some kind of controversy).... Jer & crew did racism, sexism, agism, and about every 'ism' you can muster.

Like Jerry cared:
"This offends you as a Jew?" ..... "NO, as a comedian!"

Considering the show revolves around 4 white 30 somethings, the blend seemd appropriate to me... & yes... I do realize NYC is full of cultural diversity.

Seinfeld specialized in tap dancing around the politically incorrect. They did poke certain types of fun at racism (looks like Sugar Ray?.... Karl the exterminator... Indian Giver... the whole Cigar Store Indian thing.... Anti-Semitism & getting hot & heavy at Schindler's List) and I think was pretty bold about it.... sometmes one can point out absurdity by being absurd.

...but remember....

in the same fashion they also poked at the deaf, the blind, the handicaped, the homeless, the old, married life, single life & dating, the freaks (E: "Yeah, and when I see freaks in the street I never, ever stare at them. Yet, I'm careful not to look away, see, because I want to make the freaks feel comfortable"), the idiots, the gay community ("not that there's anything wrong with that), masterbation, fake orgasm, Judism, Catholisism, even Latvian Orthodox & about every other touchy subject you could think of.

The dialog & plots would artfully tap dance around such subjects with a finese that kept the censors a week behind & scratching there heads..... come on.... 051 The Contest.... the whole storyline centers on masterbation & they never uttered the word.... there's even the ripe virgin in the mix to complicate Jer's relm.

...there's working below the equator & The Tap, the continued coversations about cunnilingus and the gal putting the kilbosh on such a journey ("everything seemed to be going along fine") that were episode subjects on prime time must see TV.

...there's Shrinkage, Backed Up, Slipping One Past the Goalie, Sexual Perjury, the Sexual Camel, Public Fornicator, Home Bed Advantage, Make up Sex,Congical Visit Sex & the much sought after Fugitive Sex....

That's comedy I tell you!
Seinfeld pulled it off quite eloquently considering they were such rabid Anti-Dentites.

Dutabi84 · 01-18-2004, 06:40 PM

I wouldn't doubt that there were some pu$$ies out there that complained about it. The show was one of the most successful shows of all time, so no matter how you argue it, you can't win.

Besides, UPN more than makes up for that...so does BET

Elaine Benes · 01-18-2004, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dutabi84
Besides, UPN more than makes up for that...so does BET

I agree 100%

Brian Damage · 01-19-2004, 02:36 PM

Maestro couldn't have said it any better. I think Seinfeld had an excellent array of ethnic personalities.

Maestro · 01-19-2004, 02:44 PM

Thank you Brian,

I thought that post rocked & was hoping for some feed back

Elaine Benes · 01-19-2004, 02:45 PM

Hey Maestro I though it rocked too.

sinatrastar · 01-19-2004, 03:17 PM

There was definetly controversy that a show based in NYC focused on 4 white folks. As the show grew more successful the complaints grew. I think Jerry's best friend is George Wallace, who appeared as the unfocused doctor in the Desperado singing episode so I dont think there is anything to the complaints.

The episode with Elaine dating a black guy? also seemed to play to the critics.

Great job Maestro. While I tend to drop a one-liner on the threads you do a yeoman's job of building up a solid response to many questions relating to the show's premise, and the plot lines and cross-references.

Maestro · 01-19-2004, 03:56 PM

...forgot about Elaine dating that guy...
she took him to Mexican restaraunts just to be safe. That's pretty insane.

& thanx 'Lainie & G- it's only 'cause I've had the time to make such posts the last couple of months.

Brian Damage · 01-19-2004, 04:00 PM

You should have your own daily or weekly thread called Maestro's 2 cents. I think it would be great.

Elaine Benes · 01-19-2004, 04:33 PM

good idea

sinatrastar · 01-19-2004, 05:09 PM

... brought to you by Hennigans barrel aged Scotch. I think Maestro lays out his 2 cents whenever he feels the need.

I'm still waiting for an excerpt from his book, The SeinGeeks Guide to the Universe.

Elaine Benes · 01-19-2004, 05:16 PM

He wrote a book! Are you serious?!?

Brian Damage · 01-19-2004, 05:29 PM

I heard he compiled tons of information about the show, but I'm not 100% sure if he actually wrote a book.

01-18-2004, 05:01 PM	#1
Elaine Benes Vixxxen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 1,333	Controversy?!? I read today, that during Seinfeld's original run, there was somewhat of a controversy about a lack of minority characters on the show. Was this true? Personally, I think there were alot of minorities on the show. Granted they weren't the stars, but there were alot. For instance, Mr. Morgan, Carl the exterminator, Winona, Ping, Jackie Chiles etc, etc.

01-18-2004, 05:28 PM	#2
Maestro Hipster Dufus Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Below the equator Posts: 2,905	Maestro's 2 cents: I bet there were gripes & whiners ( I remember there was some kind of controversy).... Jer & crew did racism, sexism, agism, and about every 'ism' you can muster. Like Jerry cared: "This offends you as a Jew?" ..... "NO, as a comedian!" Considering the show revolves around 4 white 30 somethings, the blend seemd appropriate to me... & yes... I do realize NYC is full of cultural diversity. Seinfeld specialized in tap dancing around the politically incorrect. They did poke certain types of fun at racism (looks like Sugar Ray?.... Karl the exterminator... Indian Giver... the whole Cigar Store Indian thing.... Anti-Semitism & getting hot & heavy at Schindler's List) and I think was pretty bold about it.... sometmes one can point out absurdity by being absurd. ...but remember.... in the same fashion they also poked at the deaf, the blind, the handicaped, the homeless, the old, married life, single life & dating, the freaks (E: "Yeah, and when I see freaks in the street I never, ever stare at them. Yet, I'm careful not to look away, see, because I want to make the freaks feel comfortable"), the idiots, the gay community ("not that there's anything wrong with that), masterbation, fake orgasm, Judism, Catholisism, even Latvian Orthodox & about every other touchy subject you could think of. The dialog & plots would artfully tap dance around such subjects with a finese that kept the censors a week behind & scratching there heads..... come on.... 051 The Contest.... the whole storyline centers on masterbation & they never uttered the word.... there's even the ripe virgin in the mix to complicate Jer's relm. ...there's working below the equator & The Tap, the continued coversations about cunnilingus and the gal putting the kilbosh on such a journey ("everything seemed to be going along fine") that were episode subjects on prime time must see TV. ...there's Shrinkage, Backed Up, Slipping One Past the Goalie, Sexual Perjury, the Sexual Camel, Public Fornicator, Home Bed Advantage, Make up Sex,Congical Visit Sex & the much sought after Fugitive Sex.... That's comedy I tell you! Seinfeld pulled it off quite eloquently considering they were such rabid Anti-Dentites.
	Last edited by Maestro; 01-18-2004 at 06:34 PM.

01-19-2004, 05:09 PM	#12
sinatrastar Indian Summer Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 22, 2003 Location: 78 W 86th St. Apt 3E Posts: 6,027	Maestro's .91 cents ... brought to you by Hennigans barrel aged Scotch. I think Maestro lays out his 2 cents whenever he feels the need. I'm still waiting for an excerpt from his book, The SeinGeeks Guide to the Universe.

01-18-2004, 06:40 PM	#3
Dutabi84 kittens must die Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: MN/TX Posts: 11,026	I wouldn't doubt that there were some pu$$ies out there that complained about it. The show was one of the most successful shows of all time, so no matter how you argue it, you can't win. Besides, UPN more than makes up for that...so does BET

01-19-2004, 02:36 PM	#5
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	Maestro couldn't have said it any better. I think Seinfeld had an excellent array of ethnic personalities.

01-19-2004, 02:44 PM	#6
Maestro Hipster Dufus Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Below the equator Posts: 2,905	Thank you Brian, I thought that post rocked & was hoping for some feed back

01-19-2004, 02:45 PM	#7
Elaine Benes Vixxxen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 1,333	Hey Maestro I though it rocked too.

01-19-2004, 03:17 PM	#8
sinatrastar Indian Summer Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 22, 2003 Location: 78 W 86th St. Apt 3E Posts: 6,027	There was definetly controversy that a show based in NYC focused on 4 white folks. As the show grew more successful the complaints grew. I think Jerry's best friend is George Wallace, who appeared as the unfocused doctor in the Desperado singing episode so I dont think there is anything to the complaints. The episode with Elaine dating a black guy? also seemed to play to the critics. Great job Maestro. While I tend to drop a one-liner on the threads you do a yeoman's job of building up a solid response to many questions relating to the show's premise, and the plot lines and cross-references.

01-19-2004, 03:56 PM	#9
Maestro Hipster Dufus Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Below the equator Posts: 2,905	...forgot about Elaine dating that guy... she took him to Mexican restaraunts just to be safe. That's pretty insane. & thanx 'Lainie & G- it's only 'cause I've had the time to make such posts the last couple of months.

01-19-2004, 04:00 PM	#10
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	You should have your own daily or weekly thread called Maestro's 2 cents. I think it would be great.

01-19-2004, 04:33 PM	#11
Elaine Benes Vixxxen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 1,333	good idea

01-19-2004, 05:16 PM	#13
Elaine Benes Vixxxen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 1,333	He wrote a book! Are you serious?!?

01-19-2004, 05:29 PM	#14
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	I heard he compiled tons of information about the show, but I'm not 100% sure if he actually wrote a book.