Jazz great Harry Connick Jr. doesn't respond well to racial stereotypes.
The New Orleans-bred Grammy winner recently appeared on the Australian TV show 'Hey Hey It's Saturday' as a guest judge when a group parodying the Jackson Five performed in blackface.
Not amused, Connick declared: "I just wanted to say on behalf of my country, I know it was done humorously, but we've spent so much time trying to not make black people look like buffoons that when we see something like that we take it really to heart."
He continued: "You know how much I love this show and this country...[but] if I knew that was going to be part of the show, I probably-I definitely-wouldn't have done it."
According to the host, the same group of performers, who call themselves Jackson Jive actually won the same contest and did the same routine 20 years ago.
When the group performed the routine two decades ago, the performing depicting Michael Jackson didn't perform in blackface, but instead wore whiteface to mock the King of Pop's adult complexion.
In other Connick news, the singer recently released a new CD called 'Your Songs' that was executive produced by music mogul Clive Davis, who is also responsible for Whitney Houston's recent comeback release 'I Look To You.'
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VIDEO: Watch the video from Australian TV's 'Hey Hey It's Saturday.'
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Comments: (10)
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By: GetReal on 10/08/2009 3:43PM
Why even get upset about this when you Chris Rock just made a movie about "Good Hair". I'm just saying if we as black people constantly disrespect ourselves with these stereotypes then why get mad at others...
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By: JaNee on 10/17/2009 6:16PM
AMEN!!!!
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By: "DimePiece" on 10/08/2009 4:05PM
HELL YEAH, it was INAPPROPRIATE! The host had the nerve to say that this was a "Michael Jackson Tribute"? More like a "DISRESPECTFUL TRAGEDY" of a tribute! I was not feelin the black and white painted on faces and the AFRO WIGS! The Jacksons aren't that BLACK? Oh, this is suppose to be funny? I was very offended! They not only made fun of black people but it was DISRESPECTFUL to the whole Jackson Family and Michael. God rest his soul. I commend Mr. Connick Jr. for steppin up to the plate and acknowledging how serious racism is in America. We are tryin to get past RACISM! These performers might have done the same act 20 years ago but times should CHANGE for the BETTER! Shame on them! How insensitive this AZZ of a performance was! The group didn't care and was worried about the fame and $$$$!
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By: "DimePiece" on 10/08/2009 4:16PM
I also like to say, not only does it offends black people, the Jackson's but people of all races in AMERICA! Good lookin out Connick on behalf of ALL AMERICANS!
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By: dreameagle on 10/09/2009 11:27AM
what did they perform--"Jump, Jim Crow"?
too bad they didn't do it in whiteface;
then they could've called themselves Rush Limbaugh and the Osmonds...
then, too, they could've shaved their heads and put on monkey suits and called themselves Chairman Steele and the Connerly Ward;
think of how jubilant the Palinderers and Birthers would've been, showering the stage with coins hidden in tea bags;
they might've even made enough money on their US tour to afford health care...
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By: Shirl R on 10/14/2009 12:11AM
Why produced shows with white faces painted brown when you can hire people of color to perform the show? I find it to be offensive. The vouge magazine with a white model on cover face painted brown. It's offensive again hire a black model to celebrate black culture, it's more natural and that's who we are.
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By: Shirl R on 10/14/2009 2:34AM
Chris Rocks new movie, I disagree with him making the movie. It's Disrepectful to Black Women. He's a comedian so, his view's are different. He's out to make money by making fun of Black women. Make a movie about White Women hair they wear wigs and weaves also if you going to make fun of blacks make fun of whites.
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By: shawn powell on 10/15/2009 1:56PM
i love harry,even though i don't know nothing about him, but my older brother Shannon Powell who is a famous musician in New Orleans played for harry connick jr.i been too a few nites out with him,lol love ya harry!!!!!!
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By: JoyRptr on 10/15/2009 10:04PM
I thought CR's movie was about the insane stuff black women go through to get "good hair", be it perming with deadly chemicals, paying hundreds (in dollars and hours) on weaves, ect... He's not making fun of black women but he is saying STOP KILLING YOURSELF TRYING TO LOOK LIKE WHITE WOMEN!
Or maybe even better, find your own beauty and love it, cause white women are killing themselves trying to take on black "attributes" also (tanning=skin cancer, shooting chemicals into their lips and butts, ect.....) We all need to stop the madness.
BTW, I love Harry Connick Jr. and have a whole new respect for him now! I was so proud to actually see him stand up for what was right even if he had to stand alone. Most people would have sat there and maybe said something later when called on it.
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By: JaNee on 10/19/2009 12:37AM
I agree with this statements, however, am I the only one that caught the fact that HC Jr. said,
Quote.." but we've spent so much time trying to not make black people look like buffoons " unquote. Am I reading this correctly, or did he say "they" spend so much time....ok, in my mind, is that saying we do a good job at looking like buffoons, so we don't need their help? Just wondering? Ummm?
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