Jon Carroll { Wait, That Obama Is White }

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/5/8 | Jon Carroll

[SmithL]

Follow this closely now; there's actually a point to it. According to an article by Paul Farhi of the Washington Post, reprinted Saturday in your San Francisco Chronicle, there is some sort of controversy raging because comedian Fred Armisen, who is of white and Asian origin, was chosen to portray Barack Obama, who is of Caucasian and African origin, in a skit on "Saturday Night Live."

Yes, that was all the buzz at my house.

Farhi, of the Post, reprinted in The Chronicle, quoted Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune, who asked: "Call me crazy, but shouldn't 'Saturday Night Live's' fictional Sen. Barack Obama be played by an African American?" I would never call anyone crazy, but my heavens. We've had color-blind casting in the theater for just ever - I've seen white Othellos and black Hamlets and Asian Hitlers. This is not an exotic concept. "SNL" has been doing the same thing almost since its beginning in the mid-'70s.

What's the difference here? Obama is a presidential candidate, and is perforce the topic of numerous opinion pieces. Racial sensitivity is heightened because the stakes have been raised. Still, there are real issues and there are fake issues.

Also, there are column inches to be filled. Remember that.

Farhi of the Post (reprinted in The Chronicle) also quoted Hannah Pool of the Guardian newspaper, a British publication, who wrote: "Anyone who think it's either necessary or, for that matter, remotely funny to black-up needs to have the gauge on their moral compass reset." Strong words, Pool. And written under deadline, I'm wagering. Words that so miss the point of the presidential debate satire that aired on "SNL."

But, bashing Americans is a sure winner in England. Well played.

[Ditto]

And they have had a female play the Church Lady, and a Japanese guy play the Samurai guy? ;~))

[eastsider]

The first article I’ve read in this rag that I actually agree with. Thanks for posting it.

[Howdy there]

I really think Obama is white anyway. Raised by white grandparents in a white community, attended a majority white school, has a white mom, and a white sister. Acts white, looks almost white.

[waverna]

and Billy Crystal played Sammy Davis

[x]

According to an article by Paul Farhi of the Washington Post, reprinted Saturday in your San Francisco Chronicle, there is some sort of controversy raging because comedian Fred Armisen, who is of white and Asian origin, was chosen to portray Barack Obama, who is of Caucasian and African origin, in a skit on "Saturday Night Live."

Fred's multiracial (German, Japanese, Venezuelan). Barry's multiracial or biracial. What's the problem?

How come nobody complained about Darrell Hammond impersonating Jesse Jackson?

[Melinda]

Hannah Pool, of Great Britain, although able to speak and write English, obviously still can’t assimilate to “SNL” culture very well.

[Theo]

Obama is as white as he is black.

He was raised by his white mother, for goodness sake.

[Argus]

Since degrees of skin color are as important to liberals as they used to be to South African racial categorizers and Southern plantation owners, I’m glad to see them getting all worked up about whether somebody’s black enough to play Obama on a tv comedy sketch.

[Ditto]

and Billy Crystal played Sammy Davis

Well, they were both Jewish, so that don't count. ;~))

[philled]

And they have had a female play the Church Lady, and a Japanese guy play the Samurai guy? ;~))

Yes, just like they had a male portray AG Janet Reno.

[Minnesoootan]

...and later Steve Martin was raised as a poor black child.

[wideminded]

How come nobody complained about Darrell Hammond impersonating Jesse Jackson?

Because he was so good at it.

[RedWhiteBlue]

The travesty .... of a comedy actor .... being .... an actor! Fred Armison also isn’t a Senator, either. So I guess the only person that is qualified to play Barack Obama in a comedy skit is a half-white/half-black Senator.