(GEICO)'Cavemen' series gets a new criticism: It's racist

The Miami Herald ^ | July 26, 2007 | GLENN GARVIN

[Ready4Freddy]

Send your complaints to Warren Buffett.

[wolfinator]

I won’t bother reading the article, but when I first heard about this proposed show (a few months ago), it struck me as a great example of liberal network hypocrisy. They want to do racial jokes, but since they can’t do them about any group other than white people, they create this imaginary ethnic group.

Problem solved!

[Manic_Episode]

I always thought the geico cavemen were parodies of thin skinned blacks who walk around with chips on their shoulders just waiting to be offended by something.

[N. Theknow]

More importantly, can they type?

If they type with both hands is that stereotype?

[csvset]

Fwiw, I found this on the BBC.

The Voice Recordings

Listen in to the diverse voices of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man – from Shetland to Penzance. Eavesdrop on Rotarians in Pitlochry and Travellers in Belfast. Drop in on skateboarders in Milton Keynes. Overhear pigeon fanciers in Durham.

The clips are drawn from the Voices recordings – which capture 1,200 people in conversation. Some of the clips are people talking about language – slang, dialect, taboo words, accents. Other clips cover all sorts of subjects and simply offer a flavour of how we talk today.

I haven't had a chance to listen yet. It could be interesting.

[Let's Roll]

“Cro-Magnons were the prototypical modern EUROPEANS. I.e. the first white men”

These cavemen look like Neanderthals to me.

Thank you - I thought I was the only one who noticed that. The artist's depictions of Cro-Magnon man I remember from anthropology show people that would pass un-noticed today if they were dressed in modern clothing.

The geico people look like or close to Neanderthals.

[bannie]

Is this obnoxious little boy speaking of the desire for "a chocolate New Orleans"?

Can you imagine how the world would halt if someone wished for a "vanilla city"???

[Old Professer]

Maybe we should all go around in black face for a day of atonement.

[Pistolshot]

good dancers, great athletes and grand sexual partners

Can't dance or play sports well, but the 3rd one is where I excel.
Hey, I was a poet and didn't know it.

[pepsionice]

Racial stereotypes? In our society? Oh my. What law can we make to outlaw this episode?

I’ve had alot of patience...but frankly across the whole board, I’m seeing racism out of Korans, Blacks, Latinos, Mexicans, El Salvadorans, Panamanians, Germans, Canadians, Bama-ites, Texans, British, French, Russian, and even the American Indians. So I really don’t buy any argument on stereotypes. I can showly episodes on CNN where racism occurs. I can show racism on the PTL club. I can show racism with advertisements. It doesn’t stop. So whats the use of fighting it?

[Sloth]

I thought the cavemen were meant to be urbane metrosexuals.

[TChris]

The Offense Police have found a new target!

[longtermmemmory]

a cross dating plot line could easily be about two different religions.

This is just a shakedown B$

follow the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Sadly I think this is going to be a hit and they want one of their own paid to be a consultant of doing nothing.

[longtermmemmory]

It seems to track madison avenue’s bash men mentality.

Notice it is “stupid males” who don’t get “geico is easy”.

There are no female cave”persons”.

I sadly expect the series to be a left wing caveman propagandafest. Implying civilized cavemen tilt to the (savage) left.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

“The cavemen are ‘’known for their athletic prowess, their sexual prowess, their dancing,’’ “

Yeah, but do they have rhythm?

[NeoCaveman]

Sounds like somebody got up on the wrong side of the rock this morning.

[wardaddy]

I look forward to their show too....

[Mr. Jeeves]

Oh my GOD! Mentally ill is the ONLY way to describe Libs, seriously.

I think it's more because now that we've established a clear precedent that claims of racism - no matter how specious - can lead directly to payments of large sums of money, everybody wants to get in on the act. ;)

[Pharmboy]

We’ve obviously never met...

[AU72]

To satisfy everybody casting calls are out for African-American Cro-Magnons, Gay Cro-Magnons, Hispanic Cro-Magnons, a friendly Muslim Cro-Magnons, and not to be spiciest, a Neanderthal.