CHUM apologizes for Conan's Quebec sketch

CBC ^ | 02/13/04 | CHUM

[Pikamax]

CHUM apologizes for Conan's Quebec sketch Last Updated Fri, 13 Feb 2004 17:59:13 TORONTO - A Canadian television network issued an apology Friday for broadcasting a U.S. show's comedy routine that ridiculed French Canadians.

CHUM Television said the segment will be removed when NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien is shown again Friday night on the specialty channel, Star.

"We offer our apology and assurance that it is never our intention to air programming that offends any of our viewers," CHUM said in a statement Friday afternoon.

"CHUM regrets any offence that was caused."

'Vile hate-mongering': McDonough

Earlier in the day, several members of Parliament expressed outrage over the segment, and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty distanced his government from the comedy sketch.

"I think it was vile and vicious. I think it amounts to hate-mongering," said NDP MP Alexa McDonough. She demanded the federal government get its subsidy back from the U.S. network.

Ottawa and the province gave NBC about $1 million to help pay for O'Brien's show to come to Toronto for a week to try to boost tourism after last year's SARS outbreak.

"The Conan O'Brien show does not speak for Ontarians," said Premier McGuinty. "Ontarians have a wonderful relationship with the people of Quebec."

McGuinty said he doesn't regret helping bring the program to Toronto, but emphasized that the government's role is limited. "We don't control the content of these shows."

'Completely unacceptable': Harper

The sketch, which first aired Thursday night, featured a sarcastic puppet called Triumph the Insult Dog that made fun of francophones at the Quebec winter carnival.

"So you're French and Canadian, yes? So you're obnoxious and dull," the puppet said to one passerby. "You're in North America, learn the language," he bellowed at another.

"This is the place where our country was founded nearly 400 years ago," said Alberta MP Stephen Harper during a trip to Montreal. He's campaigning for the leadership of the new Conservative party.

"We can all make jokes about each other but you don't start telling people in Quebec they have to speak another language. That's completely unacceptable."

The federal government did not defend the comedy segment. Deputy government house leader Mauril Bélanger said he did not find any of it funny.

"We want to disassociate ourselves from the comments which were broadcast last night because we do not support them in any way," Bélanger said.

Written by CBC News Online staff

[StatesEnemy]

So Canadians are dull and humorless?

[Cathryn Crawford]

Hey - you know what Canadians are, Peter?

Losers.

[gg188]

Don't the Conan people know, Christians and conservatives are the only groups about whom jokes are acceptable?

[netmilsmom]

>>"So you're French and Canadian, yes? So you're obnoxious and dull," the puppet said to one passerby. "You're in North America, learn the language," he bellowed at another<<


Obnoxious, as well.

[Drango]

Remove the French Canadians rather than the comedy.

[RJL]

Undoubtedly the liberals will take to the street and airways to protect the artistic integrity and freedom of speech that is being threatened here by removing this segment from the show.

[muawiyah]

Why would anyone apologize for the truth?

I suppose the Mounties will be called to bring in the perp, eh?!

[nightdriver]

Sheeeesh! You'd think they had been called some of the names their government officials had called Americans.

[Joe 6-pack]

"You're in North America, learn the language," he bellowed at another.

Spanish?

[bonfire]

I NEVER watch Conan but was flipping thru channels last night and caught the "dog" act. it was HILARIOUS!!!

[Schattie]

I thought Canada was like so much hipper than the US?

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Quebeceer? The truth hurts.

[nobody_knows]

I agree.....Canadians are Peters! :-)

[hershey]

No sense of humor. Why am I not surprised. Dullards.

[My Favorite Headache]

The skit was hilarious

[secret garden]

Hey look! A skit aboot Canadians. ;)

[planter]

Stephen Harper is turning out to be a real disappointment. There is a good possibility that he will not get my vote in the next Federal election. People really have to lighten up!

[Argh]

I saw, I saw, thanks.

[polemikos]

I saw it. It was hilarious.
Even the Frenchies were laughing.

I do have a soft spot for Triumph,
but it's definitely not for kids
(or mature adults for that matter).