What’s up with that – Universal

There are some things that I
see, hear or sometimes just notice in general that can ‘irk me’,
really ‘p*ss me off’, even ‘amuse me’, and then there are those
things that I just sit back and say to myself ‘What’s up with that?

This week I saw this article
about the movie ‘Couples
Retreat’
, the movie itself looks as though it maybe fairly
humorous, (although the critics rated it below par), but that wasn’t what the article was about. It seems in
someone’s infinite wisdom they removed two of the characters from the
poster promoting the movie in the U.K. (United Kingdom).

 

The two actors
removed were Faizon Love and Kali Hawk, both happen to be black actors.
In response to outrage over the move, a Universal spokesman said
the altered poster aimed "to simplify the poster to actors who are
most [recognizable] in international markets." –

If you continue to read the
article they quote a NY
Times article from 2007
, like a child caught
with their hand in the cookie jar, they attempt to pass the
blame for this onto the international viewing audiences, and since this
was about the poster for the U.K. (United Kingdom) I can only assume
that for the most part it is directed at the viewing public in the U.K.
(United Kingdom). The New York Times article that is quoted references a
James Ulmer statement "The international marketplace is still
fairly racist."

It seems they came to this
conclusion because certain movies with black actors didn’t generate
enough revenue from the international market, however having read the
article, the movies that are actually used as examples that didn’t meet
expectations, some of them I hadn’t heard of and others just simply
sucked in my opinion. But the NY Times article is not what this is
about, it’s about Universal’s need to pass the buck for there misgivings.

The article
in question is nothing more than a media outlet to pass blame from
Universal and attach a racist label on the international viewing
audience, in this case the U.K. (United Kingdom). I’m guessing the
arrogance of another large American organization, Universal, would not
even consider the fact that some of their movies just suck and aren’t
appealing to the majority of international viewers, regardless of the
color of the actors skin.

Should we not classify the
American public as racists towards the British, since the infinite
wisdom of TV and Film producers in America are constantly remaking
British sitcoms etc. with American actors, since they feel the British
dialogue is not fully understood in America or should we just sit back
and classify the TV and Film industry as total idiots that have no idea
about the viewing public anywhere in the world. They would rather blame
the viewers for the mistakes they make instead of accepting
responsibility for their own actions.

Baseball’s – ‘What’s
up with that’

Well done baseball’s
ingenious methodology in giving out awards, lets reward a dope smoker
with a Cy Young, obviously Cardinals fans are going to be really p*ssed
off, and you can’t blame them. Next you’ll be giving the MVP award to
Manny Ramirez.

images are courtesy of
Universal (I think)

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8 Comments on “What’s up with that – Universal”

  1. redstatebluestate says:

    Dude, take that statement about Manny back. Haha. “The international marketplace is still fairly racist.” Really. That’s pretty appalling but I can’t say I’m surprised. We’ve come a long way… but a long way to go.
    –Jeff
    http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
    http://mtrredstatebluestate.com

  2. Jane Heller says:

    I’m with Jeff: “appalling” is the right word for that ad and the resulting comments. People are so messed up!

    http://janeheller.mlblogs.com

  3. xcicix says:

    Racism really sucks…and it’s really out there.
    Hey, even ballplayers are racist.
    And even in the “progressive” US, the black couple is in the back…it’s a bit like they’re the “token non-white couple” that so greatly annoys me but is in quite a lot of fiction.
    Sure, that Marlins guy was good but the sportswriters like snubbing people. They think “zOMG media hype=good. ‘strange’ approach=cool let’s vote.” etc.

  4. devilabrit says:

    Jeff – sorry the Manny comment remains firm, until AP gets the award…
    Jane – appalling is a good word, if only they’d take responsibility things wouldn’t be so bad
    CiCi – Yep, even in the US picture they tried to hide the black actors… helps prove the point it’s the media fueling things or in this case Universal

    ~peter

  5. redstatebluestate says:

    He’ll get it, Peter. Don’t you worry about that. If he doesn’t, then you’ll know who car bombed all the BBWAA members.
    –Jeff
    http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
    http://mtrredstatebluestate.com

  6. phillies_phollowers says:

    That poster thing is horrible…a close 2nd is the Manny MVP award. Maybe they should give out a “Steroid User” MVP every year now? LOL

    Jenn
    http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/

  7. mattpeas says:

    thats just rude and goofy. while ive only seen the commercials for this movie it does look fairly funny and the ensemble cast looks to strengthen it all. just a shame

    http://pittpeas.mlblogs.com

  8. raysrenegade says:

    For some reason, is the word “racist” even politically correct anymore?
    Seriously, I can see Universal saying they decreased the poster size due to money or maybe some other economicalor ecological response, but to take out Turk from “Scrubs” like that is down right odd in general.
    He is an established actor that is known for his roles. It is not like he is a new actor to the movie scene, or has never received a credit in a movie. He has a recognizable face around cinema.
    But the pure fact is a mistake was made more obvious by his deletion from the poster.
    But in today’s society of instant news, responses and TMZ, the UK poster should be destroyed and Universal should send a letter of apology to both actors featured on the orignal movie poster.

    Rays Renegade

    http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com


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