I think this is an absolutely ridiculous controversy.
NBC has become the centre of a race storm after airing an ad featuring a monkey performing gymnastics, right after showing the performance of Gabby Douglas, the first African-American to win Olympic gold.
The network has since apologised for the advert's poor timing, explaining: 'No offense was intended.'
The controversy ignited as sportscaster Bob Costas wrapped his analysis of her incredible routine during the all-around competition last night.
Costas said: 'There are some African American girls out there who tonight are saying to themselves: "Hey, I’d like to try that too." More from London in a moment.'
The broadcast then went to a commercial break, showing an advertisement featuring a monkey wearing a gymnastics uniform and performing a rings gymnastics event.
The unintentional, but poorly-timed ad was for Animal Practice, an upcoming NBC sitcom.
...In a statement to MailOnline, NBC Sports said: 'Gabby Douglas' gold medal performance last night was an historic and inspiring achievement.
'This spot promoting ’Animal Practice,’ which has run three times previously, is one in a series with an Olympic theme which have been scheduled for maximum exposure. Certainly no offense was intended.'
I'm no fan of NBC, but the criticism the network has received over this is completely unwarranted.
The commerical had already aired repeatedly without complaints. There was no reason whatsoever to connect the monkey with Gabby Douglas. None.
Other commercials promoting Animal Practice use a dog and a penguin as Olympic athletes.
So what?
Some of the most popular commercials during the Super Bowl use monkeys. I've never heard any complaints about those ads and their juxtaposition with the football players.
The monkey in the NBC promo was in no way meant to be an insult to Gabby or any other gymnast.
Good grief.
People get bent of out of shape over such silly things.
Remember, Gabby's nickname is the "Flying Squirrel." She seems to enjoy it. She doesn't consider it degrading. It's cute.
She's a champion, earning two Olympic gold medals so far, representing the United States.
Why would anyone think NBC's commercial was some sort of racial insult?
Is NBC getting complaints about the swimming dog and the diving penguin?
There are plenty of things to complain about when it comes to NBC.
This isn't one of them.
Here's the video:
3 comments:
As long as it wasn't walk-on music for a late-night talk show, I guess we're good.
Are you kidding???
A premeditated, intentional act by The Roots to disgrace Michele Bachmann cannot be compared with an NBC promo that utilizes animals imagining they're Olympians.
Those spots have been running since the Olympics began. If athletes or anyone else found them offensive, I didn't hear the complaints.
Someone with a warped mind decided to connect the monkey spot with Gabby's achievement.
Why?
THE RACIST MONKEY COMMERCIAL IS PAST RIDICULOUS...IT'S IGNORANT.
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