Quote: Aaron @ August 6 2008, 12:33 AM BSTAnd every other member on this site.
That half? I should think so too.
Summer Heights High Page 5
There are problems with racial minorities fitting into schools and the sitcom reflects that without shying away.
I think that's fine, if was meant to be an examle of how life SHOULD be then there'd be a problem.
As you said, Jonah is a proper human character, not just a dumb stereotype. So I don't think the show's racist.
Also, his cohorts are played by real polynesian kids, is there any other show that would have cast them in such important roles?
Quote: zooo @ August 6 2008, 12:44 AM BSTThat half? I should think so too.
Darn. FOILED.
Quote: zooo @ August 6 2008, 12:43 AM BSTBut are you uneasy becasue it brings up uncomfortable truths about society etc, or are you uneasy because you actually think Chris Lilley might hold some of those views himself?
Cos I think it's pretty clear he doesn't, myself.
I don't know what he thinks.
Blacking up was one of the most insidious techniques in comedy, I think you bring it back at one's peril.
It also says that he doesn't think that Polynesian comedians can represent them selves.
There's more than one way to reveal a truth.
You buggers write too fast.
Personally I feel it would have been more honest to maybe play the teacher in Gumnut himself.
Quote: sootyj @ August 6 2008, 12:47 AM BSTIt also says that he doesn't think that Polynesian comedians can represent them selves.
No it doesn't. It says that it's his show, and he wants to play the main parts to how he's written them in his mind. If a "Polynesian comedian" did it, he would clearly just end up instructing them through every last shot. That's not because he doubts capabilites, but because he wants it just so.
Quote: sootyj @ August 6 2008, 12:47 AM BSTI don't know what he thinks.
Blacking up was one of the most insidious techniques in comedy, I think you bring it back at one's peril.
It also says that he doesn't think that Polynesian comedians can represent them selves.
There's more than one way to reveal a truth.
As a rule I hate actors blacking up too, I think it's usually the laziest thing you can do. Thought it was shit when Little Britain did it.
But as I say, I've never even noticed he was doing it!
I think this is where I think Chris and Mr. G probably have a lot in common.
Of course he's going to want to play the polynesian teenager. What obsessive white, adult actor wouldn't?
I think actors are a little more independent than that.
Atleast until they come out with robot actors.
Unless they already have.
I mean Steptoe and Son would have been utterly different if played by Cannon and Ball.
I mean I know I hate American actors doing rubbish English accents.
Quote: sootyj @ August 6 2008, 12:52 AM BSTI think actors are a little more independent than that.
Yes. EXACTLY. He doesn't want them to be independent. He wants it played one specific way, not interpreted by someone else. To hire someone of that background, only to step them through every scene, angle and movement in order to get what he wants would be blatant tokenism.
That said, we do need more Polynesian comedians.
Someone should really step up to the plate.
EDIT: Ooh! And on the subject of American actors doing terrible english accents, I saw this amazing film on Zone Horror yesterday, by amazing I mean 'awful in every way possible' EXCEPT the AWESOME interpretations of accents by the american cast. There was terrible posh english, terrible African, even a terrible cockney (my favourite 'Why joo lock tha blahdy door?'). It was glorious.
And zooo, it took me a while to work out it was him playing all of the parts. Although I didn't watch more than the first episode, so perhaps not quite as long as you. Errm. Anyway.
Quote: Eggie @ August 6 2008, 12:55 AM BSTThat said, we do need more Polynesian comedians.
Is there a government target?
Quote: Aaron @ August 6 2008, 12:56 AM BSTAnd zooo, it took me a while to work out it was him playing all of the parts. Although I didn't watch more than the first episode, so perhaps not quite as long as you. Errm. Anyway.
I'm not saying I didn't know it was him!
I just didn't notice a skin colour change.
He as a girl reeeeally scares me.
The creative process doesn't work that way.
Look at how superior Mind your Language is to Curry and Chips.
And if he wanted it played that specific way, one has to look at how pathetic, and negative a character Jonah is.
Jonah is sympathetic, only in as much as he is pitiful.
If you think that was Chris Lilley's defined concept, then it's pretty horrible.