@Anonymous - Yes. Yes they did. Remember that was the decade in which Japanese cars became popular in America and the US Big Three started their slow, painful decline. Also many Japanese businessmen began investing in American real estate during the 80s, furthering xenophobic tensions in the US.
Oh, according to the wikipedia article: "When Morita guest-starred on The Tonight Show in 1989, with Leno serving as guest host, they recalled that the movie had run out of money on the last day of filming, with key scenes yet to be shot and no budget left for editing and post-production."
Jay Leno is lame and the movie looks terrible but you know what else is terrible? False outrage over "racism."
So they crack a few jokes about Toyota and Karate, that doesn't make it "Triumph of the Will" for God's sake. It's a comedy. A ham-handed crappy comedy but a comedy nonetheless. Oh and "Jap" is not the same as say, the N-Word. I asked a cousin of mine who is of Japanese descent if that was the case and his response was "Hell no."
For a website devoted to making fun of cheesy videos this place gets a little uptight sometimes.
You can seriously watch that and say it's not racist? Just because "Jap" isn't equivalent with the "N-word" doesn't mean that it's not racist. Let's face it, hardly any word in the English language is as charged with emotion as the "N-word" -- we can't even bring ourselves to actually write it out or say it!
I'm surprised (and if I'm being completely honest with myself, a little bit disappointed) that Gilgamesh had the self-discipline to not include Pat Morita, through the magic of greenscreen, jumping up and kicking his way through the windshield of an oncoming car, crushing the head of the driver.
Personally, I think racism makes for great comedy. But this ain't great comedy. So, I guess this isn't racism?
Now I've confused myself.
Oh, and I'm not a racist, either!! I just reserve the right to laugh at whatever I want.
And I agree with @Chris Dugan. If you like comedy/campy/so-bad-it's-good stuff (as I expect most people do who frequent EIT), you can't act like this is some shocking shit.
And furthermore! Why am I writing a multi-paragraph comment??
ummm....this was disturbing
ReplyDeleteit's shocking to see a movie so blatantly racist, did people really hate the Japanese that much in the 80's? poor Pat Morita
@Anonymous - Yes. Yes they did. Remember that was the decade in which Japanese cars became popular in America and the US Big Three started their slow, painful decline. Also many Japanese businessmen began investing in American real estate during the 80s, furthering xenophobic tensions in the US.
ReplyDeleteOh, according to the wikipedia article: "When Morita guest-starred on The Tonight Show in 1989, with Leno serving as guest host, they recalled that the movie had run out of money on the last day of filming, with key scenes yet to be shot and no budget left for editing and post-production."
Good find, Gilgamesh.
I had serious second-hand embarrassment watching that movie.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, James.
More Jay Leno falling on his fat face, please.
ReplyDeleteJay Leno is lame and the movie looks terrible but you know what else is terrible? False outrage over "racism."
ReplyDeleteSo they crack a few jokes about Toyota and Karate, that doesn't make it "Triumph of the Will" for God's sake. It's a comedy. A ham-handed crappy comedy but a comedy nonetheless. Oh and "Jap" is not the same as say, the N-Word. I asked a cousin of mine who is of Japanese descent if that was the case and his response was "Hell no."
For a website devoted to making fun of cheesy videos this place gets a little uptight sometimes.
You can seriously watch that and say it's not racist? Just because "Jap" isn't equivalent with the "N-word" doesn't mean that it's not racist. Let's face it, hardly any word in the English language is as charged with emotion as the "N-word" -- we can't even bring ourselves to actually write it out or say it!
ReplyDelete@Chris Dugan
ReplyDeleteActually, "Triumph Of The Will" Is fantastic piece of filmmaking. So yeah, I guess you're right. This movie is no "Triumph Of The Will"
Congrats on making it to Gawker again.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the "chin" tag?
ReplyDeleteSure, racism is bad. We can debate if this film was racist within its historical context.
ReplyDeleteBut this film, without question, commits the greater sin of being totally unfunny in the process.
Racism isn't funny if it isn't funny.
I saw it a long time ago and recently saw it again. I still enjoy it. It's one of those silly or stupid little movies that make you laugh.
ReplyDeleteSo solly...
ReplyDeletei saw this somewhere.....................somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteNooooooooo Mr. Miyagi what have they done to you!?
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the punctuation on the title. If you ask me it should read more like "Jay Leno is a racist sexist." Old news.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't understand is the punctuation on this post. It should read more like "Jay Leno is a racist sexist." Old news.
ReplyDeletei remember seeing this in 89. this has become my favorite EiT video.
ReplyDeletethanks...
I'm surprised (and if I'm being completely honest with myself, a little bit disappointed) that Gilgamesh had the self-discipline to not include Pat Morita, through the magic of greenscreen, jumping up and kicking his way through the windshield of an oncoming car, crushing the head of the driver.
ReplyDeleteWE MUST JOURNEY TO BLAIR NEBRASKA TO GET ALL OF THE UNWANTED NUGGETS OF GOLD!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think racism makes for great comedy. But this ain't great comedy. So, I guess this isn't racism?
ReplyDeleteNow I've confused myself.
Oh, and I'm not a racist, either!! I just reserve the right to laugh at whatever I want.
And I agree with @Chris Dugan. If you like comedy/campy/so-bad-it's-good stuff (as I expect most people do who frequent EIT), you can't act like this is some shocking shit.
And furthermore! Why am I writing a multi-paragraph comment??
um, yeah, racism IS hilarious.
ReplyDeleteniggardly ?
ReplyDelete"For a website devoted to making fun of cheesy videos this place gets a little uptight sometimes."
ReplyDeleteTell me about it! You slap a 50-something's vagina in people's faces, and they friggin' LOSE IT!
:p
yes more jay leno falling on his face
ReplyDeleteBRB, going to Blair, NE.
ReplyDelete