So I’m in Kansas City working at the Improv this weekend. And before my first show tonite I had to run to the little girls room. Well, when I went into the stall and shut the door, what do I see but my good buddy Vince Morris staring down at me!
I’ve known Vince since my first months in comedy. And he’s one of my very best friends…
Me and VinnyV
But that doesn’t mean I’m comfortable tinkling in front of him. I love that the club and adjoining restaurant do such a good job promoting the upcoming acts, but this one was a little much for me. I couldn’t concentrate. I had to change stalls. On the door of the next stall I entered was Tommy Davidson. Also a little weird — not because I know him so well, but more because of the way he was smiling…
Every stall = Different dude.
Let’s just say I will be using a different bathroom tomorrow.
Sooooo… I’m making my [not so] triumphant return to [the] LA [area]!!!
This Wednesday thru Saturday, July 14-17 I’m going to be performing with my good friend Vince Morris at The Comedy Club at Pechanga at the Pechanga Casino and Resort. I haven’t been to LA since 2008 so I’m really looking forward to it! After the shows I plan on spending a few days in LA just to catch up with friends. If you’re in the area and can make it down I GUARANTEE that you will love this show from top to bottom.
I tried to stay quiet about this ”McNugget Lovin” ish. Really I did. But I can no longer hold my tongue… I don’t know which commercial I hate more, this new McNugget commercial or the “You better don’t” McDonald’s chicken strip commercials from a few years back. But I’m seeing a pattern that when Mickey D’s is trying to sell chicken, they get extremely stereotypical with it. I don’t want to call their marketing campaigns racist, but their marketing campaigns are pretty freaking racist. Before I continue with this blog, I need each of you to watch this clip below of my good friend Vince Morris on Def Jam a couple seasons ago… And then we’ll talk on the other side.
Vince is so right about the way ad agencies market things to and within the Black community. It really is laughable that they think they have the formula figured out — that all it takes is some random brown person shuckin’ and jivin’ to get us out to the stores. Because for so many of us, these stereotypical-ass commercials have the complete opposite effect. In light of what went on during the past year in this country — the way all kinds of minorities came together and disproved the belief that we are monolithic. One dimensional. In light of the fact that the next president of the United States is a Black man… I am offended by commercials like these, and I question how the actors involved can righteously accept these roles. Sure I understand the need to make a living as a performer. But damn…
I’m not a fan of the Hilshire Farms “GO MEAT” commercials either.
But at least the ones in video form are… diverse (this is my best attempt at the ‘say something nice’ challenge). But the ads that come on Black radio… Puhleeze. No really, I’m going back to my Sarah Palin “Bitch Please” face. I mean, “Go mama. (YEAH!) Hilshire Farms, mama… (YEAH!)” Really? If I were a radio station program director with an ounce of social responsibility, I’d have a really hard time running those ads.
Exhale. I could go on about this forever. How do y’all feel? Do you think these commercials are offensive? Or just silly? Am I overreacting? Gimme a holler and let me know.
