Hypersensitive Audience Offended by ‘Kids’ Table’
ELTON HO
Staff Writer
On Oct. 16, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” aired their recurring “Kids’ Table” sketch, centering on the United States’ $1.3 trillion debt to China.
At one point in the unscripted segment, an energetic child eagerly remarked that the issue could be resolved by “kill[ing] everyone in China.” At that moment, thousands of viewers were outraged at Kimmel and the ABC Network for allowing such hateful crude comments to be broadcasted, some later demanding that the show be cut or that the host be fired.
When I saw all those agitated protests and petitions defaming Kimmel in the name of Asian-American equality, my heart dropped in dismay.
Was it really necessary to get so riled up over what was clearly meant to be a facetious sketch? Sure, the comment was somewhat tasteless, but we should remember that it came from the mouth of a tiny hyperactive boy who probably did not realize what he was saying. He obviously does not represent the beliefs of anyone else involved in the show. Some criticized Kimmel for not shooting down the idea immediately, but a scolding would have been out of place in a light-hearted comedy show.
In addition, Kimmel later apologized personally to offended viewers, explaining that he thought everyone would take it as a joke but did not realize the challenges that Asian-Americans must go through. He seemed sincerely sorry, yet many protesters still refused to forgive him.
As a Chinese-American myself, I was worried that unwavering protests would be counter-productive, misrepresenting the demographic as overly-defensive. They had the right to express their opinion, but in this occasion, it should not have been such a big deal.
However, not all potentially objectionable material in comedy should be dismissed under the pretense that it is “just a joke.” When there is malice behind an author’s intent, a line is crossed. While our own interpretations also matter, we need to have valid reasons when we accuse someone of being offensive.
Whenever we feel remotely slighted by another’s attempt to be funny, we have to understand that not everybody is trying to hurt us or poke fun of us. Besides, maybe it’s important to lighten up and laugh at ourselves every once in a while.