Althouse: "My God... he’s black," said Norman Lear, introducing Andrew Gillum, and his joke "killed"...

November 4, 2018

"My God... he’s black," said Norman Lear, introducing Andrew Gillum, and his joke "killed"...

... according to the NYT, in "Jimmy Buffett and ‘MAGA’ Hats: Scenes From the U.S. Just Before a Tight Election" (an article that has a correction note about misspelling Buffett's name in the original headline.)

Andrew Gillum is the Democratic Party nominee for governor in Florida. Norman Lear is the ancient TV producer and political activist. Lear is 96 years old, so maybe he has the privilege to use the sort of humor that Americans less obviously close to the end no longer risk.

29 comments:

David Begley said...: He’s black, a socialist, inept mayor, for open borders and very corrupt. He ran for governor to avoid indictment.; 11/4/18, 6:13 AM
David Begley said...: Race is the new refuge for the scoundrel.; 11/4/18, 6:14 AM
rhhardin said...: The joke is that republicans are racist. That always works.; 11/4/18, 6:14 AM
rhhardin said...: Corruption as mayor is just ordinary street crime.; 11/4/18, 6:17 AM
Tommy Duncan said...: Norman Lear should be able to connect with the youth vote. I guess Raul Castro was not available.; 11/4/18, 6:30 AM
Diogenes of Sinope said...: Leftists are obsessed with race and gender. Democrats believe the balkanization of US politics and life will empower the left. So "he's black" is a huge big deal.; 11/4/18, 6:43 AM
iowan2 said...: How can the media hide all the garbage that surround Gillum and Sinema in Arizona. That's a mystery that could be solved. Not pining for Gary Hart.; 11/4/18, 6:50 AM
tcrosse said...: They all look alike.; 11/4/18, 6:58 AM
iowan2 said...: I forgot Mendenez.. WTF??? The media wont even ask him questions.

But make no mistake. According to the media, they are not the enemy of the people.
This is how you get more Trump. While I can't vote in Florida, Arizona, or NJ. I see what the media is doing there. That validates President Trump. Those 3 candidates prove to me, the media are the enemy of the people.; 11/4/18, 7:03 AM
Amadeus 48 said...: Norman Lear— the right-on guy that brought you Archie Bunker, Maude, the Jeffersons, Good Times, etc. That man holds the souls of the black folks in his hands. His hard-hitting explications of black life in America give “Amos ‘n’ Andy” a good name.; 11/4/18, 7:33 AM
tim in vermont said...: What I have learned here in Florida is that it's racist to expect a black man to follow laws against corruption. And that the billionaires are behind him because what they value the most is viability with buyability.; 11/4/18, 7:37 AM
narciso said...: Yes ask alcee hastings,

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2018/11/tuesday_will_tell_blue_wave_or_red_tsunami.html; 11/4/18, 7:44 AM
tim in vermont said...: Alcee Hastings is my Congressman.; 11/4/18, 7:51 AM
cacimbo said...: The "joke" shows that Democrats are trapped in the racist thinking of the last century.; 11/4/18, 7:54 AM
narciso said...: I used to be in Debbie's district I sympathize.; 11/4/18, 7:57 AM
MacMacConnell said...: Norman Lear just proved that his People For The American Way was never the slightly left of center it always pretended to be.; 11/4/18, 8:13 AM
Darrell said...: Actually Lear said, "Golem?"; 11/4/18, 8:25 AM
Anonymous said...: Lear is 96 years old, so maybe he has the privilege to use the sort of humor...

Huh? It's standard-issue, brain-dead "haw haw haw rethuglikkkans are freaked out by [insert non-white here] in [insert role here] hyuck-yuck-yuck". Perfectly acceptable.

Of course it "killed". The intended audience can be counted on to bark loud and long and slap their flippers together when they hear it, just like they did the previous 1,000 times they were told the same joke.; 11/4/18, 8:31 AM
Leland said...: I dream of a day when Democrats notice the content of one's character and not the color of their skin. Alas, Lear is an old Democrat like Byrd.; 11/4/18, 8:42 AM
Sebastian said...: "Lear is 96 years old, so maybe he has the privilege to use the sort of humor."

Umm, no. In the era of that's not funny, only deploring the deplorables is funny.

Now, if he had said, "My God . . . he's corrupt!" -- that would have been subversive, and true.; 11/4/18, 8:51 AM
William said...: He certainly looks good for ninety six. He has found the answer to all of life's problems in the Democratic Party. Hey, it works for him. Scientology has proven itself to Tom Cruise.; 11/4/18, 8:54 AM
Bay Area Guy said...: Gillum is, indeed, black. But that's not a problem. The problem is that he's a leftist shyster. That is a problem.; 11/4/18, 9:11 AM
Wince said...: Bad "optics"? Where are the crowd shots?

Evidently the NYT and the invited press followed a strict "no photos" policy at that "lawn" party event.

Too elite? Too small?

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. Days before the election, Mr. Buffett, the state’s quintessential beach strummer, had come to rally a lawn full of Democrats here with a message of peace, love and shakers of salt.

Too white?

Mr. Lear took the microphone for a moment. “My God,” he said, feigning shock as he sized up Mr. Gillum, “he’s black.” The joke killed.

Too old?

And then the crowd settled in for a proper concert. Younger guests sang along. Older ones nodded knowingly. A couple sat on the grass munching on a bruschetta plate they’d brought for the occasion. Mr. Lear stayed on stage to watch well after the candidates left.; 11/4/18, 10:34 AM
rcocean said...: What a freak Norman Lear is. 96 years old, and he CARES about electing Democrats over Republicans.

Amazing.; 11/4/18, 11:47 AM
n.n said...: Diversity politics. Color judgments are progressive, and so last millennium.; 11/4/18, 11:48 AM
John henry said...: What about that Hindu cohple in the barbecue line?; 11/4/18, 12:37 PM
Phil 314 said...: Archie Bunker would have said “He’s colored!”. That would have been funnier.

(I’m sure if asked, Mr .Lear offhandedly comment that Senator Tim Scott isn’t black.); 11/4/18, 2:31 PM
Bill Peschel said...: Jimmy Buffett is funny, in that he started his career with a couple albums that took pot shots at soulless businessmen. He abandoned that when his records didn't sell, lurched down to Key West, wrote Margaritaville, and became a soulless businessman himself, selling alcoholism and a feckless lifestyle that he himself wouldn't touch with his 600-foot yacht.

He must still feel guilty since he's backing an anti-Semitic crook for Florida governor.; 11/4/18, 3:04 PM
chuck said...: > "My God... he’s black," said Norman Lear

Fortunately, I will never be so famous that, when I grow embarrassing and old, my fossilized humor is broadcast to the world.; 11/4/18, 4:11 PM