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Back to You Acknowledges Polish Joke Not Funny
Fred Willard in Back to You by Isabella Vosmikova/Fox
Outraged over a crack made by Fred Willard's oafish Back to You newscaster, that "Bowling is in your Polish blood, like kielbasa and collaborating with the Nazis," Polish-American groups have gotten Fox to vow never to air the clip again. "In no way was this dialogue meant to insinuate any connection between the Polish people and the Nazi movement," the network further said in a statement. "The line was delivered by a character known for being ignorant, clueless and for saying outlandish things. Allowing the line to remain in the show, however, demonstrated poor judgment, and we apologize to anyone who was offended." — Ben Katner
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Nov 21, 2007 9:06 AM
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Everybody needs to lighten up. In the last week I've read stories about how Australia has banned its Santas from saying "Ho ho ho"; that there are "for adults" warnings on the Sesame Street: The Early Years DVDs; and now this flap over a joke about something that happened over 70 years ago. Not that I think that everybody should be able to be as offensive as they want to be, but going overboard on PC stuff is just as irritating.
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Nov 21, 2007 9:19 AM
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I agree. We have become a culture that can not laugh at itself. Comedy is an opportunity to laugh at our diversity. We all need to lighten up!!!
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Nov 21, 2007 9:57 AM
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I'm 1/4 Polish and thought the line was hysterically funny.
These groups need to quit being huge crybabies and devote their attention to things that are actually important to promoting the culture.
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Nov 21, 2007 10:06 AM
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I hate excessive political correctness as well, but I don't think most Americans are aware of how much the Nazi era is still affecting parts of Europe. I know I never thought about it until I talked with someone from Germany who was very sensitive about the issue. I think it would be the equivalent of a character dressing as a member of the KKK. It certainly shouldn't be off-limits for comedy, but it should be treated very carefully.
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Nov 21, 2007 10:08 AM
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except that the KKK is still active and WWII was many, many years ago.
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Nov 21, 2007 10:22 AM
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I also heard the line and thought it was funny. The keilbasa reference didn't bother me, but the Nazi reference did kind of get me. I wouldn't have ever thought to make a big deal of it, though, and as several of you have said, we all need to lighten up a bit. I get tired of Southern jokes, too, but I laugh at them, anyway!
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Nov 21, 2007 11:27 AM
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That's a crazy over-reaction.
From both sides.
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Nov 21, 2007 11:41 AM
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I can't BELIEVE anyone thought this was the only thing unfunny about that pathetic show!! It is so bad, it's embarrassing! Kelsey Grammar as a CHUCK??? OH, PLEASE!!! Yank it already and put the airwaves out of their misery! YECH!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Nov 21, 2007 11:49 AM
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Are you kidding me? I'm polish and that was funny and it made sense to that character. That character would say it. Another reason why it's funny.
When Jerry Gold's answer to, "What is cat in the hat?" was , "A Korean dish?" it was in character.
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Nov 21, 2007 11:51 AM
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When Jerry Gold's answer to, "What is cat in the hat?" was , "A Korean dish?" it was in character.
They'll probably cut that line next.
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Nov 21, 2007 11:58 AM
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Being a 1st generation American born to Polish immigrants, I think any joke making light about Nazis is way off limits. My parents came to America through Germany because they were sent to labor camps during the war. Whether something happened last year or 68 years ago it should be remembered with respect. These type of jokes are not in the same league as SOUTHERN jokes... people died during WW 2
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Nov 21, 2007 11:58 AM
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mooshki, I can understand why the Nazi era is still a touchy subject in Europe, but this is an American-made show, set in America. If a show sets out to ensure that it's completely inoffensive to anybody on the planet, I imagine it would be pretty dull. Or non-existent. I'd like to know if European shows shy away from making jokes about dark events that happened on this side of the pond; somehow, I doubt it.
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Nov 21, 2007 12:02 PM
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Someone just needs to form a group that takes offense with people taking offense with other stuff, so we can move on with out lives.
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Nov 21, 2007 12:15 PM
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What a crock! it's a SITCOM! Get a sense of humor. We make fun of Mothers in laws, blondes, women, men. Soon we won't be able to do anything or say anything for fear it'll offend. PLEEEEEEZE
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Nov 21, 2007 12:19 PM
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