Foul from the mouth of Naomi Judd (Calls Black Dancer a "Monkey" on Live National Television)

MSNBC ^ | March 12, 2003 | Jeanette Walls with Ashley Pearson

[Timesink]

Foul from the mouth of Naomi Judd
Plus: Pam Anderson — banned at ball? Crowe goes basilica

With Ashley Pearson
MSNBC

March 12 —  CBS was bombarded with complaints last week after “Star Search” judge Naomi Judd referred to a black dancer as a monkey. “I was stunned,” a source tells The Scoop. “She said it in a way that was meant to be funny and playful, but it was astonishingly racist and insensitive.”

       “I HEARD THAT the [CBS] switchboard really lit up,” the source said.
       Only moments later, after a trio of tap dancers, the un-PC singer announced that she loves it when white people tap dance.        “Totally bizarre comment, but yet another reason to make fun of Naomi,” one poster on Television Without Pity.com commented. “You’ve got to admit, she unintentionally provides comic relief to the show. Every time it’s her turn to vote, I think, ‘What stupid thing is she going to say now?’ ”
       “It’s a real problem,” said another “Star Search” fan who says that the country and western crooner once referred to a dance by three black women as “tribal.”
       Spokesmen for Judd and CBS didn’t return calls for comment.

[L,TOWM]

Sistrunk loved that comment coming from another (although former) DT.

[WoodlandsTXFreeper]

Did I say you had to?

[ServesURight]

People like Naomi are incapable of comprehending the real talent that black entertainers have displayed throughout history.

They instead resort to knee-jerk, animal comparisons that reveal their caveman-like complex.

Ever see the movie "Drumline?" Just look at the way the black marching band performs. Look at how the black cheerleaders execute. Much, much more energy and livelier than what you'll see from a white marching band and cheerleaders.

[Timesink]

Print the quote. Let me be the judge.

I would if I could, but you couldn't pay me enough to watch that treacle. Arsenio Hall, Kathie Lee Gifford, Magic Johnson AND a never-ending barrage of tap-dancing JonBenet clones and Pop Warner-league standup comics? Just put the "human shield yield" t-shirt on me right now and dump me in front of an Iraqi radar installation.

BTW, for a tiny bit of amusement, go to the Star Search judges bio page and compare the lengths of the various bios to the judges' actual life achievements.

[Timesink]

Yet, it was okay, even encouraged, when Harry Belafonte said worse things about Condi and Powell. I guess some people truly are more equal than others.

Not from me it wasn't. I'd love to see Harry Belafonte get a particularly painful form of terminal cancer. He is about as close to evil as one can get on this planet without actually killing people.

[robertpaulsen]

"It also chronicles Cosell's most infamous remark, when, during a Monday Night Football broadcast in October 1983, he exclaimed, "Look at that little monkey run!" about African-American Washington Redskins receiver Alvin Garrett. The comment, which Cosell also used to describe his playful grandson, led to immediate outcries of racism, and despite a Cosell denial and a supportive statement by Jesse Jackson, Cosell pals Cosby, Ali and even Garrett himself, the fallout contributed to Cosell's decision to leave Monday Night Football two months later."
--eonline.com

[dead]

I've heard that some people have actually died from hearing him sing.

[Paul Atreides]

I didn't mean you in particular. I was speaking of the media.

[joesnuffy]

Much, much more energy and livelier than what you'll see from a white marching band and cheerleaders. yeah but isnt an all homogenous marching band or cheerleader squad racist?

[jwalsh07]

More PC run amuck, I refer to my granddaughter Meggy as a monkey all the time. She is a born climber.

[js1138]

So you have NEVER seen any of the current crop of "hip-hop" dance acts, and NOT thought "hm, tribal"?

Is there anyone in Hollywood further left than Robin williams?" I nearly fell over while watching Dead Poets Society when they recited a bit of Vachel Lindsay's "The Congo". I'm not going to post it here, but do a google search.

[Timesink]

Howard Cosell's "little monkey" was one Alvin Garrett of the Washington Redskins, a wide receiver. His comment was particularly ironic given that Garrett was the absolute definition of mediocrity on the field. In fact, the Cosell controversy was about the only thing Garrett is remembered for.

[ServesURight]

[Timesink]

NEWS - Naomi Judd Defends Racial Comments

03/4/2003

(3/14/03, 1 p.m. ET) -- Naomi Judd is taking heat for a racially insensitive comment she made last week on Star Search. While judging contestants, Judd referred to a black dancer as a "monkey," then commented favorably on "white people" tap dancing after a trio of Caucasian dancers finished their performance.

CBS's switchboard was reportedly flooded with calls and complaints following her remarks. "I was stunned," a source tells MSNBC. "She said it in a way that was meant to be funny and playful, but it was astonishingly racist and insensitive."

Judd defended her comments to the Tennessean, saying that she thought contestant Steven Bass used some elements of the "Funky Monkey" dance in his routine. "In my opinion, the talented Steven Bass appeared to be doing a hip-hop version of that dance," said Judd. "It never crossed my mind that it could be taken racially."

Judd apologized for any misunderstanding. "I am extremely distraught that comments I made on the show have somehow been construed as to be hurtful," Judd said. "My whole life's message has always been to unite people. I created the song 'Love Can Build A Bridge' for just that reason. I offer my sincere apologies to anyone who doesn't know me and misunderstood my comments as offensive or hurtful. I have the utmost respect for all of the performers on Star Search, and take my role as a judge seriously."

Along with Judd, celebrity hosts on the show include Ben Stein, Kathy Lee Gifford, Usher, and Earvin "Magic" Johnson. The next episode of Star Search, hosted by Arsenio Hall, airs Friday (March 14th) at 8 p.m. ET.

-- Margy Holland, Nashville

[GraniteStateConservative]

Naomi is our goofball. Natalie Maines is Ann Richards' goofball and Ann can keep her.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

The next episode of Star Search, hosted by Arsenio Hall, airs Friday (March 14th) at 8 p.m. ET.

When asked to comment on the upcoming episode, Judd said "I can't wait to see what kind of monkey business Arsenio has in store for us...D'OH!"

[HEY4QDEMS]

“She said it in a way that was meant to be funny and playful, but it was astonishingly racist and insensitive.”

IOW 'we know she didn't mean anything by it but we don't care"

[t4texas]

I thought she had some sort of terminal illness several years ago?

This brings to mind the time in 1984 Joe Bob Briggs (Monstervision, Iron Joe Bob, &c.) slammed Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, et al in his drive-in movie review Joe Bob Goes to the Movies) titled' "We Are The Weird!" and got fired from the Dallas Morning News.

Hindsight? 20/20!

[savedbygrace]

It's so obvious. She thought the guy was French.

No harm, no foul.

[Paul Atreides]

If the exact same thing had been said by Arsenio Hall, about the exact same contestant, there would not be a second thought given to the comment.