Ashton Kutcher attacked for 'brownface' ad
 

Source: http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=725473

By Tim Kenneally
TheWrap

Ashton Kutcher's new ad for a potato chip company could find him eating crow soon.

The "Two and a Half Men" star's ad for Popchips has raised the hackles of some in the Twitterverse, who are criticizing the ad as racist because Kutcher wears "brownface" in it.

Bing: Kutcher makes $700,000 per 'Men' episode

The commercial parodies dating-service ads, with Kutcher playing Raj, a 39-year-old "Bollywood producer" who's looking for love. But the ad itself isn't getting much love from Internet detractors, who are criticizing the brown makeup and stereotypical behavior he displays in the spot.

New York writer and entrepreneur Anil Dash called for an apology from Popchips, Kutcher and others associated with the ad.

"I think the people behind this Popchips ad are not racist. I think they just made a racist ad, because they're so steeped in our culture's racism that they didn't even realize they were doing it," Dash wrote.

Video: Watch the 'brownface' ad here

Brooklyn-based hip-hop group Das Racist was similarly unimpressed, and urged people to contact the company in protest.

"[T]hey got to pull this s--- and apologize, that's it," the group tweeted. "[I]t's 2012, come on."

A YouTube user offered another bashing in the comments section, writing, "LOL @ Ashton thinking he could become relevant again by putting on racist brownface, acting like Indian men are all creepers (who [have] moustaches), and attempting caricatures of popular filmy? dances. How mid-twentieth century! How cute! Very impressed."

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The ad is one in a series of Kutcher portraying a number of caricatures, including a bearded redneck, a dreadlocked British hippie and a pony-tailed German fashionista.

Popchips claims that the ad campaign wasn't intended to offend.

"The new Popchips worldwide dating video and ad campaign featuring four characters was created to provoke a few laughs and was never intended to stereotype or offend anyone," the company said in a statement provided to TheWrap. "At Popchips we embrace all types of shapes, flavors and colors, and appreciate all snackers, no matter their race or ethnicity. We hope people can enjoy this in the spirit it was intended."

Tell us on Facebook: Does Ashton owe everyone an apology for this?

A spokeswomen for Kutcher has not yet responded to TheWrap's request for comment, though it's a safe bet that the actor is probably blushing right now, under all that brownface makeup.

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=725473

Edit: I messed up. Could a moderator add a poll asking whether you think it's okay or not?

Anyways, what do you guys think of this issue? Black-face situations are far more common in regards to imitating West Africans but it's a similar situation. I'm not too bothered but find it as poor taste.

Did anyone get mad when Dave Chappell did his 'white face' stuff?

I think it is all in good fun. I don't see the big deal really.

Didn't know he did. Can you post an article or perhaps youtube video? Anyways, I'm not sure if it's a similar situation. Ashton Kutcher is a Hollywood actor and David Chappelle is a comedian who specializes in race/ethnicity.

I think it's rather poor taste though. I'd argue differently if it was a skit on Comedy Central.

I'll see what I can find. I was actually looking for it a couple weeks ago because I was going to make a post about black face but I couldn't find it. I didn't look very hard though. I remember seeing it on TV though.

---------- Post added 2012-05-02 at 23:10 ----------

Well it didn't take long. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/laugh.gif I must not have spent much effort at all before.


http://www.comedycentral.com/video-c...2003-follow-up


This is actually bloopers from it.

Yeah, it's sort of funny I guess but he's a comedian so I see it a bit differently. Not that I care too much.

I think he looks like an idiot just like Chappelle.

What I was wondering before is if people find this as solely offensive or if they find any artistic merit in it.



But that is OT. Sorry dude. Maybe I'll make that thread sometime.

As much as it pains me to take his side, I have to in this case. Oversensitive shmucks with a voice is an unfortunate thing. The portrayal is no where near as offensive as they are making it out to be.

I agree. I still find it rather poor taste. Ashton Kutcher is an idiot and a bad actor. They should have chosen someone else. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/tongue.gif

dunno if you dudes seen them sprint pcs commercials with two indian dudes in them. funny as shit.

I laugh at racial and ethnic humor of all types. Dave Chapelle is one of my favorite comedians. I agree some things are more appropriate for stand-up or skit comedy, not an ad campaign.

Here's some vintage SNL ethnic humor:

So I guess the Wayans Bros. have poor taste for their involvement with 'White Chicks'..how racist of them really.

Generally speaking the add was in bad taste, it's a cheesy concept that's been done before. But enough to warrant racial controversy, I'd say not. They definitely should have chosen someone else http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...milies/yes.gif