Oscar Host Seth MacFarlane Angers ADL with 'Ted' Segment

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Oscar Host Seth MacFarlane Angers Anti-Defamation League With 'Ted' Segment

9:01 AM PST 2/25/2013 by Jordan Zakarin

The media-monitoring Jewish group speaks out against a part of Sunday's telecast, in which a MacFarlane-voiced digital teddy bear joked that Jews control Hollywood.

And the next group to fire outrage at Seth MacFarlane's Oscars performance is... the Anti-Defamation League.

The Jewish group, led by long-time chief Abraham Foxman, issued a statement on Monday morning slamming MacFarlane and the Academy for a segment of the show that it said perpetuated anti-Semitic stereotypes. The moment featured Mark Wahlberg and Ted -- the foul mouthed, digital stuffed bear that was the center of last summer's mega-hit comedy, Ted -- present the awards for best sound mixing and best sound editing.

During the segment, Ted -- voiced by MacFarlane -- joked that Jews controlled Hollywood, and that fealty to the religion was required to work in the industry. "I was born Theodore Shapiro and I would like to donate to Israel and continue to work in Hollywood forever," he said, to audience laughter -- and Wahlberg's feigned displeasure.

"While we have come to expect inappropriate 'Jews control Hollywood' jokes from Seth MacFarlane, what he did at the Oscars was offensive and not remotely funny. It only reinforces stereotypes which legitimize anti-Semitism," the ADL wrote in its statement. "It is sad and disheartening that the Oscars awards show sought to use anti-Jewish stereotypes for laughs."

The missive continued, noting that the international audience for the show may not have known it was a joke.

"For the insiders at the Oscars this kind of joke is obviously not taken seriously. But when one considers the global audience of the Oscars of upwards of two billion people, including many who know little or nothing about Hollywood or the falsity of such Jewish stereotypes, there’s a much higher potential for the ‘Jews control Hollywood’ myth to be accepted as fact. We wish that Mr. MacFarlane and the Academy Awards producers had shown greater sensitivity and decided against airing a sketch that so reinforces the age-old canard about Jewish control of the film industry."

This is not the first time the ADL has complained about a MacFarlane production; in 2009, it fumed over an episode of Family Guy titled "Family Goy," which the group said was guilty of "employing excessive negative stereotypes about Jews and money."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/seth-macfarlane-angers-anti-defamation-424232

[Novembro 1,763]

It's true though.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

It's true though.

Well. Certainly there are a lot of Jewish people working in the film industry, including at the highest levels. But that is not the same thing as "The Jews" "controlling" Hollywood.

I thought most of MacFarlane's stuff was pretty edgy, as his humor always is, and I don't think anyone was spared. It was probably too much for the Oscars crowd though... but the reacts during the "Saw Your Boobs" number were priceless !

[JohnR! 5,495]

Well. Certainly there are a lot of Jewish people working in the film industry, including at the highest levels. But that is not the same thing as "The Jews" "controlling" Hollywood.

I thought most of MacFarlane's stuff was pretty edgy, as his humor always is, and I don't think anyone was spared. It was probably too much for the Oscars crowd though... but the reacts during the "Saw Your Boobs" number were priceless !

In the industry they are known as the 'Jewish Mafia', because at one point vistually all Studio CEOS, directors and agents were jewish. Seth was playing on that, which is something they do at every Oscar... There is always a quip about the connection between jews and Hollywood.

Historically it is only natural that such a connection exist, because chances are Hollywood might have not been were it not for jews who fled Nazi Germany in search of a place where they could produce movies.

The ADL may have taken exception to it but I believe most who work in the industry brushed it off as just another joke...

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

In the industry they are known as the 'Jewish Mafia', because at one point vistually all Studio CEOS, directors and agents were jewish. Seth was playing on that, which is something they do at every Oscar... There is always a quip about the connection between jews and Hollywood.

Historically it is only natural that such a connection exist, because chances are Hollywood might have not been were it not for jews who fled Nazi Germany in search of a place where they could produce movies.

The ADL may have taken exception to it but I believe most who work in the industry brushed it off as just another joke...

Most industry people have.

[Novembro 1,763]

Well. Certainly there are a lot of Jewish people working in the film industry, including at the highest levels. But that is not the same thing as "The Jews" "controlling" Hollywood.

I thought most of MacFarlane's stuff was pretty edgy, as his humor always is, and I don't think anyone was spared. It was probably too much for the Oscars crowd though... but the reacts during the "Saw Your Boobs" number were priceless !

I just don't see why they've gotten their panties in a twist. If they can't take a joke when the entire rest of the audience can, then they need to sort out their priorities.

That said, I was not impressed with MacFarlane's hosting, but then again, I'm not sure what I expected from someone with that type of notorious humor.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Most industry people have.

I doubt it. References to jews controlling Hollywood is the subject of at least one joke in every broadcast. The crying voices are really not representative in this case.

Edited February 25, 2013 by Gegel

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I doubt it. References to jews controlling Hollywood is the subject of at least one joke in every broadcast. The crying voices are really not representative in this case.

You misunderstood me. I am agreeing with you that most of the people in the industry have - as in "have brushed it off as the joke it was."

I just don't see why they've gotten their panties in a twist. If they can't take a joke when the entire rest of the audience can, then they need to sort out their priorities.

That said, I was not impressed with MacFarlane's hosting, but then again, I'm not sure what I expected from someone with that type of notorious humor.

The ADL always has its panties in a twist about something, usually something ridiculous.

I didn't like his performance, either. The whole show felt unnatural, forced and uncomfortable.

[JohnR! 5,495]

You misunderstood me. I am agreeing with you that most of the people in the industry have - as in "have brushed it off as the joke it was."

My bad! Sorry!!!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The bear thing was cute. Most of the rest was boring. I felt sorry for half dozen or so officers in mess dress that had to wait for hours just to stand behind Michelle for the live shot. What was that supposed to say?

[JohnR! 5,495]

The ADL always has its panties in a twist about something, usually something ridiculous.

I didn't like his performance, either. The whole show felt unnatural, forced and uncomfortable.

From what I saw it did look somewhat contrived and much too behaved... I would like to see Ricky Gervais host it again... Put it out there and let everyone have it...

After all, the whole evening is supposed to be a gala gathering and fun for everyone...

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

From what I saw it did look somewhat contrived and much too behaved... I would like to see Ricky Gervais host it again... Put it out there and let everyone have it...

After all, the whole evening is supposed to be a gala gathering and fun for everyone...

I'd bet money Ricky won't be hosting for a while. He roasted everyone, I think honestly Tim Allen got hit the hardest

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

I'd bet money Ricky won't be hosting for a while. He roasted everyone, I think honestly Tim Allen got hit the hardest

Ricky Gervais is funny. Seth McFarlane is just....smarmy. I'm not a fan of his humour.

[decocker 7,198]

i think seth mcfarlane is comic gold. so is gervais. imo, of course.

the oscars are funny only in that people actually watch them.

[GandD 5,966]

i think seth mcfarlane is comic gold. so is gervais. imo, of course.

the oscars are funny only in that people actually watch them.

I'm with you on that one.

Edited February 25, 2013 by GandD