HEY, all you Chinese-speakers out there in TV land - Rosie O'Donnell thinks you should get a sense of humor! The Asian-American Journalists Association was fuming after O'Donnell went on "The View" Thursday and said that Danny DeVito's drunk turn on the show days earlier was "international news! In China it was like, 'Ching chong, ching-ching-chong, Danny DeVito!' " In a statement yesterday, the AAJA said, "We consider this a mockery of the Chinese language and, in effect, a perpetration of stereotypes of Asian-Americans as foreigners or second-class citizens. The use of the distorted phrases is insulting to the Chinese and Chinese-Americans, and gives the impression that they are a group that is substandard to English-speaking people." But a rep for O'Donnell said, "She's a comedian in addition to being a talk show co-host. I certainly hope that one day they will be able to grasp her humor."
(i like how her rep spins it that the blame is on us for it not being funny.)
i'm not offended as an asian american.
i'm offended as a follower of the comedy arts. i'd expect ching chong ching chong from the trash that rides septa and inhabitants of philadelphia public schools. i wouldn't expect it from a "comedian" or at least somebody who derives their livelihood from trying to be funny.
one, as a joke, it's not funny at all. there's no substance or zing to it.
two, i mean come on, it's even clever or original. as a comedian, you want to be clever and original; that's how you separate yourself from the wannabes. in fact, i'm ching chonging right now.
here's how i would tell that same joke:
"international news! In China it was like the sounds of silverware falling down the stairs and you'd hear Danny DeVito's name every few seconds!"
