Posted on 12/30/2004 11:00:21 AM PST by Ellesu
The cast member on the Dukes of Hazard movie that had the filmmakers scratching their heads has not been publicity-drenched Jessica Simpson or her rabble-rousing smart-ass co-star, Johnny Knoxville.
It's the General Lee, the bright orange 1969 Dodge Charger central to all Duke boys escapades. More specifically, it's the Confederate Flag emblazoned on the General's roof, a symbol that has become quite the object of controversy since the original TV series' seven-season run starting in 1979.
The filmmakers didn't want to alienate modern audiences, the Wall Street Journal reported recently in a story headlined "Flag wavering." Nor did the moviemakers want to anger long-time fans by tinkering with the Warner Bros show. "So they struck a compromise with the studio."
Quoting a source involved with making the film, the Journal says the film includes scenes where the flag is "derided as an inappropriate symbol of the dark past."
For example, Bo and Luke ask a group of African-American college students for directions. "Is this a joke? Some kind of reality show?" one of them asks. Bo, the dimmer of the Dukes, explains the flag is cool and that their friend Cooter, a Civil War buff, painted it when he fixed the car. But Luke understands, and explains to Bo that some people find the flag offensive and a "symbol of slavery." That Luke, he always was perty' smart.
You're kidding, right? This movie is going to put Red State America in a positive light?
Glad someone said it!
I got a Dukes first season DVD for Christmas. We were watching the first episode last night. In an early scene, the boys hook up with 3 other guys, one of them black, to pull a scam on the Sheriff. The black guy doesn't seem to offended by the flag, as he is leaning up against the car it is on.
Watch it. Robert Gould Shaw was a fellow Ram (alumnus of Fordham University for those of you in Rio Linda).
I know you meant that to be funny, but many won't see it that way.
And with that sop to the South-bashers and PC crowd, not even Jessica Simpson in a pair of Daisy Dukes and a bikini top could get me to see this movie. I hope it makes "Alexander" look like a blockbuster.
}:-)4
Amen brother! Amen! I used to think Catherine Bach was hot as Daisy, but damn, Jessica looks good in "Daisy Dukes!"
Oh, no. The PC Visigoths have ruined one of the stupidest TV shows ever. Noooooooooo!
Oh, yeah. The original show was so un-PC (note sarcasm): The only recurring black character was the Sheriff (Sheriff Little) of the neighboring county. He was the only competent representative of the law on the show, and everyone respected him. The boys always high-tailed it back to Hazard as soon as they realized they had wandered into Chickasaw, ol' Roscoe and Boss Hogg stayed away from him so as to avoid getting nailed for their various dastardly deeds, and even Uncle Jesse took different routes out of the county so as not to tangle with him.
Of course, now that I think of it, the libs will still hate the show, because Sheriff Little was, as a lawman, most likely conservative, and we all know libs don't consider conservative blacks to be legitimate.
Based on the photo posted in #22, I would say that she is an excellent actress.
OMFG! Is John Edwards playing sheriff Coltrane?
I'm so glad I found FR! Ya'll keep me ROFLOL!
Not just Georgians. Mississippians and Alabamans, too.
Don't leave out Louisiana.
I am violently opposed to Jessica Simpson playing Daisy Duke. The more I read about this movie the less I want to see it.
PC ruins the Dukes ping.
Agree 100%
Am I to be ashamed that some might take offense?
All Southerners are bumpkin country redneck hicks who've fallen of the back of a turnip truck. Its a stupid stereotype but in this day and age its sad some people refuse to acknowledge the South has come a long way since the 50s.
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