The Eternal Lost Lurker wrote:
> OK, for those who missed it (I didn't know myself until Saturday),
Shin-chan
> has returned to weeknights with new episodes. Timeslot is 12:30/4am.
>
> Also, this week, Adult Swim finally aired the Boondocks episode
"Invasion of
> the Katrinians", originally scheduled to air almost a month and a half
ago.
>
> Presumably, the delay was over fear the episode would be in poor taste
and
> cause a negative backlash.
>
> Honestly? It wasn't done in poor taste at all. Well, no more than
Boondocks
> usually is.
>
> Though it does officially make a certain Boondocks episode plot an
official
> cliche: unwanted houseguest invades the Freeman home, and numerous plots
are
> concocted to "get (x) nigga(s) the hell up OUTTA here!".
I agree that "Invasion of the Katrinians" was not in poor taste, but
Adult Swim's fear of how pressure groups might react to the episode is
understandable. Many media critics make the mistake of assuming that all
fictional characters are intended to represent entire segments of
society. Adult Swim was probably worried that some of these critics
would blast the Jericho Freeman family as a cruel knock on *all*
hurricane Katrina victims.
The fear of these media critics is understandable, but the powers that
be at Adult Swim would have served their audience better if they showed
a bit more bravery. They should have confronted the issue up front and
defended the episode. Jericho is /not/ presented as a symbol of all, or
even a majority, of Katrina refugees. Moreover, there were those who
exploited the Hurricane relief effort, a fact that one can recognize
while still providing aid to the honest victims.
Adult Swim should stick up for one of their bigger hits. Doing so would
would have earned them respect both in the industry and especially among
their viewers.
--
"All things extant in this world,
Gods of Heaven, gods of Earth,
Let everything be as it should be;
Thus shall it be!"
- Magical chant from "Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi"
"Drizzle, Drazzle, Drozzle, Drome,
Time for this one to come home!"
- Mr. Wizard from "Tooter Turtle"
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