May 3rd, 2012
12:23 PM ET
Amidst complaints, Popchips CEO apologizes for Ashton Kutcher adAshton Kutcher's participation in a Popchips video campaign has gone viral, alright, but because of complaints of racism. The minute-and-a-half long video debuted Wednesday, and presents a string of "bachelors" who are part of a "world wide" dating service, with 34-year-old Kutcher portraying all of the eligible men, including Bollywood producer Raj. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLdobzj_9_I&w=560&h=315] Kutcher, wearing a wig, brown makeup and a mustache, tells viewers in what's likely intended to be an Indian accent that he's looking for "the most delicious thing on the planet."
That characterization has been criticized as racist, and tech entrepreneur Anil Dash has written a thorough account of where he thinks the ad got it wrong. Dash calls the spot a "hackneyed, unfunny advertisement featuring Kutcher in brownface talking about his romantic options, with the entire punchline being he's doing it in a fake-Indian outfit and voice...I can't imagine I have to explain this to anyone in 2012, but if you find yourself putting on brown makeup on a white person in 2012 so they can do a bad 'funny' accent to sell potato chips, you are on the wrong course." Popchips says in a statement that the "dating parody featuring four characters was created to provoke a few laughs and was never intended to stereotype or offend anyone." The statement adds that the company embraces "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." In an apology on the company's website, the founder and CEO of Popchips, Keith Belling, says he takes responsibility for the campaign. "We received a lot feedback about the dating campaign parody ... and appreciate everyone who took the time to share their point of view," Belling writes. "Our team worked hard to create a light-hearted parody featuring a variety of characters that was meant to provide a few laughs. We did not intend to offend anyone. I take full responsibility and apologize to anyone we offended." Update, 3:00 p.m.: Popchips tells CNN that the Bollywood character Raj has been removed from planned billboards that will launch on May 7, and has also been removed from its video commercial on the company's Facebook page and YouTube channel. The three other characters will be part of the campaign as planned.
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One of the fundamental problems is lack of diversity in the decision-making roles at both advertising agencies and corporations. Really makes me wonder if there was one person of color not to mention one Indian-American anywhere near that campaign before it launched.
Everyone just needs to lighten up!!!! It was funny. You don't see the Gay community getting all up in arms about their character, or WHITE TRASH getting upset.........We all just LAUGH and enjoy it as it was meant to be......HUMOR folks
you have to addmit this was funny!
That was a funny ad. I am East-Indian and I didn't think it was racist. Have you seen Hindi films portraying Africans? That is far wrose and Indians never complained. I think Dash is just out to make a name for himself. Typical Indian !!
Anyone remember a film called WHITE GIRLS?
A couple of black guys "white up" in it and poke fun at white people.
How come "that" isn't racist?
In all honesty though I was more offended at the attempt of humour in the film than the actual whitening up.
What a cack film that was!
i'm indian and i'm offended that someone speaking for me thinks I'm offended. Get a life Anil – in fact, I wouldn't spell his name with an i
Dash calls the spot a "hackneyed, unfunny advertisement featuring Kutcher in brownface talking about his romantic options, with the entire punchline being he's doing it in a fake-Indian outfit and voice...I can't imagine I have to explain this to anyone in 2012, but if you find yourself putting on brown makeup on a white person in 2012 so they can do a bad 'funny' accent to sell potato chips, you are on the wrong course."
IT WAS FUNNY AS HELL! NEVER HEARD OF THOSE CHIPS, SO IT IS ON THE RIGHT COURSE, ADVERTISING-WISE.
ceo apologises, while kutcher continues being a racist as usual
Ashton is my cousin, and he's NOT a racist. It was supposed to be a parody – but he felt bad it offended anyone – he might be STUPID – but he's not racist.
I thought it was a pretty comical commercial. Not sure what people are so offended/ upset by? To call this racist is to really define our speech in the US as way too PC. What does it say about our society/ some people when they can't just laugh at something that was intended to be funny?? It is just crazy....... get a backbone!
even native English speakers have "accents" depending on where they stay (Texas twang...scottish rhotic accent)...and of course anyone who speaks a foreign language will have an accent...imagine someone with a distinct American accent speaking Hindi...if Indians have a strong accent when they speak English so be it. We need to get over it.
If Ben Kingsley (an indian+ other things ) can play numerous white characters, why can't kutcher play an indian character?
And did anyone notice that Indians are Caucasian? The same Race as Europeans?
People, we need to laugh at both our similarities and our differences. That is how we come together...
We cannot just pretend that we are all exactly the same. We are different and that is what makes America strong.
Am Indian too..and honestly...and it just seems like a harmless ad whose stirring up of this controversy probly did a world of good for the website. And as an Indian who spent years in NYC and now living in Mumbai...lemme re-iterate...ppl in India itself can be a lot more racist ... so lets all quit the posturing of being this pathetic, sensitive race who everyone is out to offend all the time...!
I dont remember anyone complaining about Apu from the Simpsons and that was much worse of a caricature.
Well.... I guess that sort of ended this thread didn't it. We've been Punk'd.
Wait a second.... I'm sure others may have noticed, but I just now caught on to this myself. I think we're all being duped by this whole thing. This has to be just some kind of a publicity stun (or Ashton Kutcher himself is Punking us). Did anyone else notice that this guys name is supposedly "Anil Dash"?? Seriously?? Who would really have a name like that. Like's like being named "Rear Admiral Buttofucco" or something.
This just in: A yet unnamed blogger who goes by the alias of "Anal Dash" has just been arrested for using his ridiculous alias to promote gay stereo-typing on the Internet. Film at 11:00....
Shut up! Only those who fight for others' 1st Amendment rights get a say, and I say, get over it. All of you sensitive hippies need to shut the hell up.
Anil Dash needs to understand the difference between "racism" and "stereotyping"... I am sure that applies to all the characters that Ashton portrayed in the commercial??
http://www.Hear-The-Truth.com
If Kutcher is bad at portraying an Indian, take a look at Zee TV, home to some good and bad serials with real Indian actors. Kutcher's acting is better than some of them.
Anil Dash, please do explain why the ad is "racist." I applaud Kutcher for being a good character actor. If Ross Martin (Artemus Gordon on the "Wild Wild West") were alive today he could be called "racist" based on some of his charactoizations. And Tony Randall, who portrayed a Chinese in the "Seven Faces of Dr Lao" is he "racist?" How about the Wayans brothers, portraying white women in the film "White Chicks?" There was no wailing and gnashing of teeth on that one. So, is it illegal for someone to portray an individual of a different ethnic or racial group and why? Mr. Dash, you will need to define racism.
everything these days seems to be racist. grow some bals and enjoy life, i see nothing wrong on this ad
This is not a good AD!
Marketing 101: Stir up controversy, get everyone talking about your product, BAM, free publicity. You people are so easy!
I will never buy Popchips again. They have offended me...
... because they've caved to the pressure of a small minority who are supposedly insulted by this ad. Seriously, have some ba... mettle.
Stop being so sensitive!!!! It's jellyfish like you that are leading to our loss of Freedom of speech. Grow up!
That was funny not racist. I detect racism coming from Anil Dash.
Ashton Kutcher is the most awesome guy ever! He's a real ladie's man! He has dated many manymanymanymanymanymany women, and he shows them his genitals! He is also athletic and is one of the most talented actors ever! Everyone should be jealous of Ashton Kutcher!
This ad was fcuking hilarious! The dude with white hair had me laughing. Lighten up folks.
Men, men, men, menly, men, men.
I think its about men dating women or chips. Not quite sure
Was the joke actually attacking the Indian race?
it was funny because it has a hint of truth. but really it was designed to get people talking and get free publicity for a fkking potato chip. just DAMN!
sorry for the typos.
so when the wayan brothers potrayed two white women in the movie Dumb white chicks or whatever it was called that was ok huh?
So, where do we go to complain about Indians pretending to be white – when you call Microsoft or Dell telling me their name is Bob or Nancy and to get a cup of coffee first while they are on line answering my call because it's going to take an hour to answer my question because I can't understand a freaking word they are saying?
No doubt deadlikeme! This as well as so many other things are just people being WAY too sensative. Come on I don't like Ashton, but this is not him in black face saying "Mr. Benny"
Am I the only one who could not read this without using an indian accent in my head??? Dat will be 27.50 tank you get out of my store now
I'm beginning to think CNN wants stories to be perceived as being worse than they actually are.....why doesn't the editor do a follow up and poll viewers whether this is racist. It seems from the comments it be over 80% in the "not" racist category.
First of all, 85% of entertainment "news" isn't really news. The same is true if you're watching the E! channel, Entertainment Tonight or Access Hollywood – etc. When Lindsey Lohan get's her next DWI, is that really news, no of course it isn't. Second, it's a blog – did you know that all blog writers get paid based on the number of hits they receive? I see this complaint all the time. So of course, they are going to write misleading headlines to get you to click on and read the story. If you want real news go to Associated Press,site.
Why do people feel they have to "apologise" all the time? If people think this is racist to hell with them – they need to lighten up. I'm bald, and if someone wants to have a go at that – good on them – I don't care. Lighten up and DON'T apologise if a few get offended over things that aren't offensive.
Okay, Let's talk about your fat mother...
haha – your ft mother
Malcolm,
my thoughts exactly!!! This political correctness and constant apologies have to go. Lighten up is right, I find the video very funny. Nobody can take a joke anymore.
Mike Myers imitates people of all races all the time and no one says anything... people are so sensitive..
Really people, get over yourselves. The ad is funny. People are different the world over. If you can't appreciate that and perhaps laugh at yourself once in a while, you are taking everything too seriously. This political correct nonsense is ruining the US. What is left to have fun with? Single white guys and perhaps the presidents ears....
Funny, how Indians, whom I find to be very racist would complain of racism.
Either way, goes to show that no non-white race - (black, green, yellow, brown, blue) is immune from the bigotry of the 'great' white race .. who have tortured, raped and otherwise abused and insulted every other race on this planet.
I fear for the day when the white race falls from grace (which is quick coming)... there are many, many people the world over who will not hesitate to remind the white man just how cruel and unjust he is.
Be forewarned white people... the chickens will soon come home to roost
i agree. Im not racist, i have a bi racial daughter- but i completely agree here. Once our children( or children's children) finally are taught in school to understand history not just memorize it, its will spark the dialogue of seeing how civilization as a whole has committed vicious crimes against ITSELF.
like how slavery, which is how the entire western hemisphere was mostly populated, will always be the greatest crime against humanity – but there have been no reparations to people who cant fill there family tree past 3 or 4 generations...
Yes, because ONLY white people have committed terrible acts throughout the course of history. The genocides in Africa, the rape of Nanking, the Mongol hordes, & countless other atrocities were merely gaffes on the part of non-whites. Everyone...repeat, EVERYONE at one time or another has been oppressed by a stronger group. You speak of understanding history when you cannot understand it yourself.
Don't worry, the Chinese are coming and they are different!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????? You obviously know very little about the world. Read a bit. Once the one dictator is replaced, the other takes over and so the circle continues. Good luck with the Chinese by the way. They will do absolutely ANYTHING for money and they hate any dark skinned people. Trust me, been living there for 15 yrs.
It this kind of knee-jerk, unthinking response that gives race relations a bad name. Good god, people! What exactly is racist about it? Is the biker depiction racist, or is it immaterial because of his skin color?
THINK first, act second.
I thought the ad was funny, and I'm not particularly a fan of Kutcher. People need to lighten up.
The sheriff is a ni55a
Remember Damon playing a ghandi type in Mo' Money, my god, that was funny. To make things worse he played a nutrient deficient soul having a lactate deficient fit. And even made fun of a man with physical defects. Man, I hate to tell you all, but that's Hollywood for ya.
Ok. It is not politically correct to have a white guy don brown skin but it's perfectly fine for brown skinned people to be in a movie portraying stereotypical rich white girls ? (White Chicks) Didn't hear anyone scream racism there. People need to take humor for humor and relax!
It would be different if black people had ever owned white slaves...or burned crosses on the lawns of white famileis...or blown up little white girls in a church...
It's racism when it's the dominant group mocking those who are or who have been oppressed BY that group-white people, as a group, have NEVER been oppressed by white people-just as straight people have never been oppressed by LGBT people...or men by women...or Christians by athiests...I could go on and on with this, y'know.
(Posted by a straight white dude who was raised Christian, for the record).
Why waste time on someone who is not even funny!!!
I can not appreciate Kutcher' as a actor. The clip ad is not that funny but its not offensive either. This is not news worthy. This seems like a setup, LAY'S are the best.....I am bored with political cor......
Lots of companys, now a days, is adopting a marketing technique that holds the idea of "offend-now-get-sued-later adittude. Once the damage is done (in this case offensive racism) it reaches the intended goal of getting the consumer to talk about it and getting it on the news. I personally would not buy this product even if this deceptiveness was intentional. Producers of movies, tv, and commercials are highly responsible for introducing images of choice and ethic morallity to the human conscience (and subconscience). Please prioritize the responsibility of promoting the world ethics of good moral choice, or else money will root out the evil that modern civilization is still trying to supress. Thank you and god bless.
What is immoral about this AD? That is how the people from India talk, and the rest of them act exactly as portrayed. I think there far more serious things we should worry about – not some folks that get their feathers ruffled over every tiny thing. Good grief, this is pathetic. To all you sensitive cry babies, get over yourselves!
When you live in a country full of the worlds OTHER countries, you are bound to combine them all and their stereotypes (which ironically, come from REALITY, otherwise they wouldnt exist), and cultures and show them all. There is no reason this country needs to be politically correct anymore. Its complete crap. You got to India, they have Brits and Indians, and they do the same thing. You go to Europe, and they have commercials making fun of Americans, do we complain? No. People need to understand "SATIRE" and "RACISM" and NOT get the two confused.
Exactly. Stereotypes are funny because they are true. Once I was driving through Alabama on my way back home. Stopped to get gas, etc. at a place called Red Dot, (a small chain of convenience stores in the South.) When I went inside, the dude behind the counter had a big red dot on his forehead. I laughed so hard it took 20 minutes to calm down and get back on the road. True Story!
Well put!
I see funny I don't see racism.
I don't see anything offensive or funny
First – this absolutely not offensive. Certainly not more then SNL, 30 Rock, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Borat, etc.
Second: This is far and away the funniest think I have ever seen Kutcher do since Dude, Where's My Car? It actually shows some range. The Karl Lagerfeld guys is brilliant. It is some of his best work.
Third – political correctness is so 2004.
Hey America, don't you recognize the difference between racism and satire any more? If Kutcher is on the block for this advert, then Mike Meyers should be on the block for his portrayals in the Austin Powers movies, or "Love Guru"...or maybe Dana Carvey for his satires in various movies..
PopChips shouldn't have to apologize for something because some people are ignorant and have a thin skin. Things are becoming FAR too "PC" any more!
The "Darl" character stereotyped Europeans just as much as the "Raj" character stereotyped Indians. Is the only thing that's offensive supposed to be that he played someone "ethnic" who is also silly? Are white people simply not allowed to play any role that requires a different shade of skin, or is it okay as long as they only play them "straight," without a comedic element?
using the term 'brownface' is racist to me. it belongs to african americans anyway with their racist 'blackface' term. get off anil
Black face was a term given to Al Jolson, and his cronies back in the day when they were too racist and stupid to place Blacks in the roles..they weren't that good anyway! It was just as insulting as having a black group perform the songs on an album and put white people on the cover of the album. These white men are always going to make fun of, laugh at, or try to be like blacks, and really cool people..too bad they never make it! Now when white people drive by what are they playing onthe CD..Never will you be that good!
So if he came out and did a British accent drinking tea, would that be offensive? Obviously not, even though not all British people drink tea. And God forbid someone notice that Indian people are typically darker-skinned than the average white person. Yes, it's 2012. So, figure out that racism isn't a part of reasonable society anymore and let's just laugh at our differences. People are always looking for something else to whine about.
so nobody can pretend to be anybody else anymore? unless they arent white of course.
Right on. Did anyone see White Chicks?
Have anyone would have noticed this ad without this cheap publicity stunt? The whole thing is a setup. Ashton is paid for the ad as well as for the ‘apology’ which was well planned from the beginning. Not sure how Anil Dash is related to Prochips, but for sure he also got a share. People don’t care an entertainer wear brown makeup or imitate someone else’s accent. Comedian does that all the time. Russell Peter makes a living out it.
I am becoming so tired of the select few whiners and complainers in the "political correctness" arena ruining what is good entertainment. I think this commercial is pretty funny. Racist...give me a break. News is not even news anymore. I can't believe I found this on CNN.COM and not BREAK.COM. How can this be main stream news. Shows for the brainless mass such as Jersey Shore and others of the like bash stereotypes either knowingly or otherwise and that's all good, but don't joke about anyone or anything east of 15 degrees longitude. So much for the war on terrorism. **** in a hand-basket the world is ~ Yoda
Would political correctness go away already? Please?! Who cares anyway? This is the U.S., not India.
So it's wrong still for white people to wear brown/black face and mimic an accent YET it's totally fine for the likes of the WAYAN'S BROTHERS or any person of color to dawn WHITE FACE and mimic any White person accent for their own enjoyment?!
Everyone please calm down, get a grip, and stop crying. It's just humor. It's a potato chip.
Gee whiz people, relax, have a laugh. How come no one is complaining about him portraying a biker dude? Yeah, it's not a race, but it's a segment of the population. OMGZ Ashton is showing such prejudice towards people whose lifestyle involve bikes and tattoos!!!!! All protest! Idiots.
"Indian" actually isn't a race either – it's an ETHNICITY. So this maybe Ethnically-incorrect, but it has absolutely nothing to do with race. Prejudice is stupid – and so is not even knowing one's own language, especially if that person gets paid to write in that language! The whole argument, in this case, is based on a fallacy, a complete lack of understanding of the meanings of words. This is why the world's in a mess! People calling something stupid something it's not, and getting others all peeved about it. ....
Why are they making this a big deal.... it was just for fun.... I don't see my fellow Indians get mad at our corrupt politicians but what makes you so mad at a tv ad.... stop being so sensitive....
I thought Kutcher did well. What's wrong with Indian speaking a foreign language in an accent? It is only a little bit funny to the native speakers of English. So, what?! It's all in good humor. (By the way we do make fun of Americaans speaking our languages in India. Have you seen any Bollywood movies?)
Let's not be thin skinned. Like you said, Siddhartha, we should be upset about other things that really matter.
You cannot be serious!!! People who are offended by this ad have some issues. It is funny. I could care less about racism. People now days take things to seriously. Why don't we just outlaw comedy...FREE speech, plain & simple.
"Hackneyed" and "unfunny" are the operative words in this article.
Had such a video been made by a great comedian – say, Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, Robin Williams or the like – it might have been funny.
As it is – Ashton Kutcher – Mr. Unfunny & Hackneyed Idol of People Whose Hairline Meets Their Eybrows – just comes off like some dumb schmo who can't tell a joke from a stick in the eye.
Why is anyone surprized? Kutcher's been a bimbo from day one.
When will all ths political correctness stop and we find our sense of humor again?
Crap! You can't say s hit anymore! Why's err'body all sensitive?
If i was white i would be offended
Are you kidding me? racist? So if he was an indian it would be ok? I'm latin we can take a joke apparently indians can't.
This is gonna be a really boring world when we cant say or do anything for fear of offending someone
It's already happening. I don't see anything wrong with what he is wearing.
That's offensive now, That is offensive??? What? Thank god Mel Brooks was in his prime long before we all became whimps.
anil whatever, stop being anal whatever and get over yourself. Oh dear oh dear, what have we come to? I guess rednecks need to protest his portrayal, chic Europeans too.... A lot of fuss over nothing. PC taken to all new lows.....
I guess Germans, Rastafarians, and Bikers should be angry too?
This is ridiculous.
i am an asian minority but i dont find the protrayal offensive. btw...its call comedy. ashton kutcher wasnt trying to make a statement about which race is retarded/superior than the rest. will russell peters branded as a racist if he did the same ad?
on the second tho, i am offended because kutcher make a stereotypical chinaman.
The PC police will outlaw acting by next year. It will go the way of writing and painting-into the dustbin of time. No more movies or videos will be allowed to be made because someone will always be offended by them.
How again is this Racist? The "New Political Correctness" seems to veering towards fascism.
Cool so Indians are a race now. I think people are starting to lose touch with what racism really is. Anybody who calls this ad racist obviously hasn't witnessed true racism before, as I have. It is SCARY!
Now tell me something....was it Indians who were offended by this ad? Or was it white people yet again being offended on behalf of other people? I think it's time that we, as Americans, take our balls out of cryonic storage and reattach them. We're getting too soft and easily offended. We create drama out of thin air just to kill the monotony in our lives.
Steve,
You're not that bright if you don't know that the guy who was offended, Anil, is an Indian name. That is all.
I agree, Steve. We have way too many whiney little punks just looking to be offended by ANYTHING or for anybody. They need to get over themselves and find something truly important to do with their time. Maybe they could take up knitting.
Got an advertisement linked to the front page of CNN – for FREE!!!... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! 😉
20 years of Simpsons and a number of others (e.g. Family Guy, South Park, the list goes on) that go out of their way to make fun of everyone, ever type, every kind, for the sole purpose of leveling the playing field while creating some much-needed levity in a time when we could all really use it and still, STILL, this madness called Political Correctness has to win?! Seriously? Hey PopChips – I'm already a fan and will buy extra now. Jeez, complainers, you ruin everything. Just relax.
"Political Correctness" is the new fascism.
Indians don't like it, eh? Awwwww! I wouldn't doubt that they laughed at Borat or White Chicks.
They can get over themselves in a major way.
Man... do they know how to create distractions for us or what???
I'm really tired of all this political correctness. I'm black, and if he were portraying someone black I wouldn't be offended. He's an actor. Actor's portray characters. What...does this mean that white men can no longer do Othello? C'mon, get a grip! He was quite good.
You are so right. Actors portray characters. Whoever is complaining doesn't understand what acting is about. They have probably never been to the theatre or to movies.
It was a potato chip ad??? Seriously, I had no idea. I wasn't sure which person being portrayed resulted in the racist accusation. I thought that Raj was the most normal person in the bunch. I guess I'm out of touch.
I'm racist, black people made me this way 🙂
so stupid .....
, these days, white folks can only be made fun of, not the reverse. Stereotypes are the base for most comedy/humor worldwide
You're so right!
It's nice to see Indians post how they are not offended by it. Those who are not offended at light-hearted humor of their race tend to have an appeal of stronger character. For Anil to go after Ashton like this is like going hunting for cows. He should have first addressed stand up comedy and some public TV broadcasting where they push the envelope a lot further than this act.
You want to know where it went wrong? It went wrong where Anil failed to recognize the difference between hateful racism and doing impressions.
Seriously, That's Racist, Get A Clue & GET OVER YOURSELVES.
So happy someone got themselves in a snit and got "Raj" pulled. Now if the scary rednecks, dredlocked stoners and prissy fancy-pants men all get outraged, they'll pull it all! Oh, wait, I forgot, it's okay to make fun of rednecks, stoners and probably-what-they-think-passes-for-a-gay-man, right?
I'm not offended by any of it. Know why? Because i'm not a whining little b***h! Good grief, people, grow a pair and have a laugh!
I agree!
Funny noone said anything about the stereotypes of types of white people in that video only the brown one. Sorry but you are the racist not the video. A light hearted joke is a joke. Anyone that viewed this and only saw a problem with the brown character is a problem themselves.
it's not terribly funny, as Ashton never is... but seriously – why aren't Germans offended by it too? give it up with the stupid race baiting. people are way too PC and sensitive these days.
True words.
Why didn't they get FEZ to do the commercial?
If you're really good in this life you get to come back as Ashton Kutcher in the next life.
This is why real stand-up comedy from the likes of the 70's and 80's is non-existent in this country... PC Nazism.
Still waiting to get my apology after the movie "WHITE CHICKS".... two way street brother.......
To the extent that people have a natural tendency to favor members of their own group, everyone is a "racist", most of all pehaps those who would deny it.
FREAKING...HILARIOUS!!!!!!
Is there one single person left in this country that has a sense of humor?
Yep. Fat chicks.
*raises hand* <<< this guy
Me!! (raises waving hand).
How was that offensive?? Hilarious I say. My Indian friend agrees.
More like, 5 people found it racist. And CNN acts like the world did.
Not fat and can dance wettod,go let your dogs lick you in the face and ask your wife what you're wearing to work tomorrow,light up and let her spit shine your balls(golf) that is lmao.
The PC police are at it again. Newsflash people ... there's a difference between racial humor and racism. Get over yourselves. Bunch of uptight bush wookies these days.
Agreed!!
I didn't think it was offensive. I thought it was silly comedy, funny at times. but I do listen when I hear a bunch of people who feel offended by something, particularly if the joke is about them and not me, you know? I don't know for sure how most people or most Indians or Americans with Indian heritage would find this. If most would be offended I think there is nothing wrong with trying to be sensitive to that. However, a lot of comedy is really stuff that would be offensive in other situations. Context is everything, intent matters, etc. I don't have an opinion yet. Aston did a pretty good job acting, though.
This is HillariousssSsssSSssSsssSsSssSs
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahaha
ASHTON = 2012
Ashton for president
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahaaha
Seriously ???? I'm an Indian.. and pretty sure 99% of Indians will never be offended.. except for the jack*as* who complained.. This is just a publicity gimmick.. I bet that guy got paid to complain about racism..More the publicity, more the better for marketing the product.
@Ravi
Yes you are offended , I hope Indians will get angry over this
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Is your first name APU ?
Mwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaha
Or is it Singh
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahs
Look out, I think "Swordfish" and his magic feather are talking to you...
"I pledge allegiance to Obama...", Kutcher.
Now, THAT's funny!!
I guess Ashton missed the memo.In 2012 it's only acceptable to poke fun of white males via commercials.Like the Subway commercial.You know the one.The black guy's day dreaming about riding around in Italy saying hello to beautiful italian women, when suddenly, the most awkward white male they could find interrupts his ' swagger ' and says hello to th woman.It ends with the black guy assuring the awkward white male that they NEVER are saying hello to him. I'm also really enjoying how every person of authority is black, even though they only make up 13% of the population and certainly don't make up the majority of bosses and experts ; but in TV land, they do.
Where the fcuk do you see black in this ?
C L O W N
Do you seriously, without regard to where you stand or how you feel about the ad, or the broader issue... think that TV has ANYTHING WHATSOEVER to do with reality? Seriously?
Either this ad in retrospect will have been a extremely successful campaign – who the hell ever heard of Popchips before this ad (and reaction).....
or, we have all just been punked.
is it me or does Kutcher look good in racist?
I am Indian and I am NOT offended. What bothers me is many of you are jumping to conclusions by assuming we are all upset. Reality check people. Many of us are a lot like you all and yes, we can take a joke.
Thank you for speaking up about this. Now I'm a white male, so inherently racist right? Except that I'm not. How is playing an Indian person being racist? Now we can't even pretend to be anything else without someone getting offended? I can understand if he was in blackface and saying things like "Hey I'm black and I love chicken and watermelon" but to just imitate an accent which people in the region commonly have is not racist. Saying people in Alabama have an accent is not racist, and saying some Indian people have darker skin color than Northern Europeans is not racist, it's just the truth
It is not a matter of being able to take a joke. Many people understand the logic for mistreating people based on color (racism). And "light-hearted" jokes, many times, is how it starts. A way of mixing the work of mistreating people based on color (racism) with fun.
What bothers me is you failing to read the article. Where does it say "Millions of white folks offended on Indians behalf?" Oh right, it doesn't. In fact, the only person they specifically name is Anil Dash, who is definitely NOT white
free adverisement to an otherwise anonymous chip maker. good work CNN and Indian guy.
LOL
Still not sure ad is inviting people to join the site or telling all that whoever is going to join will be just stupid as shown in the characters. Specially best of luck girls for your selections and spend your time well!!!
Ohhhh....so sorry some brownskin was offended. Here let me get you a tissue.....
This is not racist. Stereotyping? Yes. But stereotyping exists for a reason, because most contribute to the stereotype. This is not racist. Racism invokes hate and unequality. This is nothing such. The Big Bang Theory has an Indian character on the show that is pretty much everything this Kutcher character is, and nobdy says a thing because it is actually an Indian actor. This is funny, but not poking fun at Indian people in general any more than the other characters are poking a white people in general. This racial hypersensitivity has gotten out of control. After all, if we cant laugh at ourselves, we have no business laughing at anything. Lighten up people.
And...check this out. This is Eddie Murphy making fun of white people. It's really blatant. I think it is hilarious.
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/white-like-me/278716
Check it out...and go into the bathroom and just laugh at yourself for a bit. We will all be happier.
I agree. This isn't any different than skits that I've seen time and time again on Saturday Night Live and others just like it. What about Tosh.0, now that's a good one. That would one can really be flagged racist. It seems that the only qualification needed to scream foul play is to identify yourself with the skit itself.
What caught my eye was the fact they used Ashton for the role. HAHA! Not like he has a decent reputation anyway.
So would a white person be able to put black makeup on & act like a black person?
why can Eddie Murphy do the opposite of that (a black person put white makeup on)?
Any Germans complaining about the Darl character? He's in makeup and has a funny accent too. Is that racist? Any English complaining about Nigel? Americans complaining about Swordfish? No? Then shutup about the Raj character. These are all national stereotypes, not racial stereotypes. Big difference.
Ad is in really bad taste.
This Ad is not funny.
you're right they're not funny but it's because Kutcher isn't funny, they should have hired somebody that can act.
Yes it is funny
In fact very funny ,
APU sounds just like that
Hahahahaahahahahahahahaha
youre name is funny, troll
Stop trying to use white chicks as a match to years of what y'all been doing. The movie sucks anyway. The ad was not funny if you've ever been stereotyped negatively. Watch the crows in Dumbo.
U don't hear an uproar when people say things about white people is because nobody feels sorry for y'all or cares. Lets be honest, white people flat out killed Indians, enslaved and discriminated against black people, put Asians in internment camps, discriminating currently against Mexicans, and lets not forget about Muslims and Arabs after 911. Why should any of these people feel sorry? I love white people but to many of y'all keep quiet while your friends and family do and say racist things.
It is well known fact that most blacks were sold or traded into slavery by their own people. Do a little research.
And don't forget being responsible for Justin Bieber.
@Mack – You should probably lift your head out of the whole American psyche of race and look at world history if you think its just people who are white (.....what ever that means) that have done what your saying.
@Gus wrong. U do some research. It was no where near half or a quarter. That doesn't excuse what happened to the slaves anyway. @tony read history books from high school up. Everything I said is true.its OK if y'all wanna deny history. The ad might not be racist. But everybody should stop playing other races in black, White or whatever face.
As both a person named swordfish and a person who likes... higher planes of concessions, this ad is terribly offensive in it stereotyping.
Maybe now that this PC crap is biting Hollywood in the rear soemone will begin to use more common sense. No one, no where, seems to be able to say anything off-color at all. That goes against every other ethnic group's assimilation into American culture. Are fools doing this PC on purpose to use racism as a tool or are they ignorant of social acceptance patterns?
Still mad because the neighborhood association made you get rid of your lawn jockey?
Ad is in poor taste
Racism? They had 4 completely different characters they parodied. They didn't even focus on the Indian. The other groups see it and aren't complaining, so this complaint strikes of arrogance. Indian comedians even parody their fellow Indians, and you don't see them trying to tear them down.
The Ad is not funny.
The ad stars Ashton Kutcher...duh.
OMG. There is nothing wrong with this. I read about it earlier but did not have a chance to see the video. I just saw it. WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL? We've seen much worse. This PC thing is WAY out of hand. Let's all just not say anything.
i think you whining cry baby thin skinned idiots need to go get a job and stop bothering the real people...i think the ad is funny as heii...........and guess what...???...,you aint even amusing..
Dude, I HAVE a job and don't think this is funny. Give it a rest. You can't just assume that everybody who disagrees with you about anything is LAZY.
So true!!
Lighten up, world.
Who reviews these types of campaigns? Seems like if they sought diverse opinions they would at least get varying perspectives and perhaps get a heads up on what may be perceived as offensive... and thereby save money. It's like some companies only have a bunch of clueless old white guys who all view life through the same lens making all of the decisions. Then they say stupid things like, "Why is everyone so pc, people don't have a sense of humor, people are too thin skinned." Meanwhile they lose money... a truly stupid business model.
So then, was it racist when Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans portrayed white women in "White Chicks"? Isn't that the same thing, but in reverse? Is it OK to parody white people but not any other race? Or does it mean that white people have more of a sense of humor about themselves? It's a parody, people. Stop being so sensitive. If your ethnicity makes you feel inadequate enough that a parody offends you, get some counseling. You need it.
Or you could get a clue and realize that everyone does not see through your narrow lens.
...shaking my head, bobbing it side to side...it is seeming that Indian fellows cannot take a joke.
I would have never heard of this if these clowns hadn't given free advertisement to the product. I think I'll try Popchips now. How come is it that white people never blow a gasket when people like the Wayans dress like white women in White Chicks, or Eddie Murphy plays a white jew. Guess we're not so sensitive.
I'd guess that being a crybaby is not something our parents tell us is a good thing. I wish that were true for all those thin-skinned uber-sensitive fools out there.
My other guess is that they are not REALLY offended, they just want to effect someone with their complaints.
God people where's your sense of humor. That was hysterical.
Peter Sellers + The Party = Birdy Num Num – check it
that was hilarious!
He..lar..i...ous! I get where the racism stuff comes from. I was never the guy who appreciated white people in black face. Hell I even hate it when they use CGI to pretend to be little people (what there are no little people actors out of work in need of a job). Its an old argument. Why have one actor pretend to be 5 people. How about you give a brotha a job and hire 5 actors to play goofy people of their race (we all have them). The add was funny. kutcher is a funny guy and does playing a goof well. However, the point is made. Unfortunately, most people will never understand why its racist.
This isn't racist in the slightest and I'm a raging liberal. He portrayed numerous stereotypes and all of them were funny.
Get a sense of humor and quit taking the position that a white person can't assume the role of someone who isn't Caucasian.
Im an Indian and I see no Racism in this video, in fact it is very funny. So do we call Russell Peters' Impression of his Indian dad racist! This Dash guy needs to get a life. I am confident that the majority of Desi Americans find this funny and are not offended by it. Popchips CEO take back ur apology. Another cheap try by a guy trying to popularize his website. This is the land of the free Mr. Dash and you donot represent even less than 1% of Indian Americans.
So you're Indian
Well hello APU
HAHHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAANA
I do not remember anybody getting upset when Eddie Murphy played a white-jewish guy in "Coming to America"
Would it be racist if Kal Penn spoke with a New York or South Carolina accent in a commercial?
I am Indian, and was it racist to me? Nope. In fact, it makes me as an Indian laugh at how we act. Even Indian comedians make fun of Indians the same way.......in India! I did not watched the whole piece, just the Indian part from previous other sources, and I found it hilarious. In fact, whenever someone does an impression of Indian people such as myself, I laugh pretty hard.......I am not sure if the impression is funny or the fact that they are doing it is funny (maybe both).
Agree see my post above too.
People need to stop apologizing for this kind of stuff. It's not that big of deal. Stop all the whining! You do not have a right to not be offended!
We get it. Everyone can do a "guy who works at 7-11" accent. It's not funny. It never was and it never will be. Neither is slanting your eyes and going "ping pong ping pong".
Evolve or die.
how about u die .. so we can evolve laughing at each other ... does that work for you, because it will work for the rest of us ?
Lighten up, I am a brown person...not black, not white somewhere in between and it is getting to be old news that everything
anyone does that there is some race card police ready to pounce...back up, take a chill pill, go get you a pull of some medical mary jane...bet cha would think it was funny then.
F you if you are offended. That is some pretty funny stuff.
PLease counter sue the group that is calling this racist. Total b.s
Good God, we have totally lost the understanding of *real* racism thanks in part to our political parties completely blurring the definition. I guess if this kind of stuff is now deemed racist, a black, Indian or Hispanic doing stand-up comedy imitating uptight white people will be deemed racist too. How sad because that stuff is funny. The video wasn't that funny, but hardly racist.
well said. If everyone who deals the race card would actually SEE racism in action (see "Mississippi Burning") I think when they caught their breath they would have no other thought but to run. The internet has made it so easy to play that card, without seeing the compainers life. BTW, I'm white with plenty of friends of different race and orientation, and THEY have a hard time and squirm when I break out my best inbred redneck jokes.
Most Indians probably didn't think it was racist. Drama sells news though, so we here about the people griping all the time.
Get a grip,it was meant as a joke,a parody.Remember when people used to laugh AT,each other,and with each other????????????? It was called having a good time. It's just my humble opinion,but,you want to know what real racism is??? When one group or race,African Americans,gays,whites,etc.,DEMANDS,the rest of the world treat them,how THEYsay they should be treated. Just BECAUSE of who they are.
Wasn't funny, but that is its only crime. They weren't trying to defame Indian people or anything. People are overly sensitive these days. Paint an Indian guy up and have him do an impression of a redneck and see if anyone complains.
wasnt funny and wasnt racist. get over yourselves indians.
... it is just one overly tight guy who should get laid more often .. most decent people from India are laughing at this
Seriously?!?!? Get over yourself people! It is a bad commercial, I'll grant you that, but all this feigned outrage is ridiculous!
I neither found this clip funny nor racist. I wasted my precious few minutes!
This is soooo funny. We in America need to take a step back and remember things that are funny, that don't hurt people. How in the world is this racist? It's fun ... and I'm not at all a Ashton Kutcher fan.
Why is this racist? First of all, actors use makeup all the time. Secondly if you used an actor from India, he would look and sound like that. Thirdly, did it make Indians look stupid of foolish? No it didn't so it's not racist. Frankly, I'm offended by these people who are offended. This is MY culture and if you don't like MY culture then get the he11 out of my country. My culture can spoof anything and everything. Frankly, the offended Indians are the ones who are making Indians look stupid and foolish. Here's a quarter, buy a sense of humor.
yes, your culture can spoof anything and everything as long as it is not GAY, black or muslim. Nonsense.
Your culture is racist. I'd offer you a quarter but library cards are free.
this is ridiculous. its a parody, its suppose to make fun of people. remember the commedian Tracy Ullman, she used to due a character of a Korean woman, it was funny and it was harmless. the word "racist" is being thrown around too much and will lose its true meaning, then we will all be in trouble
Some people try real hard to find racism in every little thing.
Ashton Kutcher knew exactly what he was doing when he decided to do this commercial,he knew some minorities were going to get upset and some whites were going to think it was funny and not racists.It's racists whether anyone think it isn't.
People can sure get upset over the stupidest things. I think all of Kutcher's characters are hilarious. Schizophrenic actors keep life interesting. If I was single, I'd date every one of his alter-egos.
And the outrage over Boris... or the Dictator... or how about the stereotype the indian actor plays on "Big Bang?" Pretty sad that some ethnic groups have no problem until it is them thats is the butt of the joke. Time for people to stop taking everything so serious, and learn to laugh.
The whole thing is unfunny - that's the crime.
(Sigh)..I just so tired of everything having to be so pc (politically correct).That's all.
bet you're right on that.
I swear... this country is so full of PU$$1ES it's ridiculous!!
zebra, and you are so mature that you picked "zebra" as your nickname and you hide behind a screen to make your "threat"? you think you are more of a man now? what a loser
WHAT ABOUT ROBERT DOWNEY JR. IN TROPIC THUNDER? TRULY OSCAR WORTHY
AND JUST WHAT IS THE COMPLAINT?
IF I AM CAUCASIAN I CAN NO LONGER WEAR MAKE-UP IN ANY FORM ,THEATRICALOR PERSONAL?
OR ARE YOU ADMITTING ,THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT A INDIAN MAN SOUNDS LIKE ?
WHAT THEN ? NO MORE IMPRESSIONS BY CAUCASIANS ?
Not sure if you were kidding, but I think his performance was indeed Oscar-worthy.
This is an outrage, why it's it's it's almost as bad as having a Caste System Oh Snap, no I dint
Dude,
I'm Indian and named Raj and I thought it was damn funny and everyone should lighten up. I think he's the furthest thing from racist and it is just stereotypical humor that is humorous because it is TRUE! Good on ya' Ashton!
Raj...yes that is my real name
sometimes it is the offended person who has the problem..... the problem is not necessarily what he or she is offended about.
like somebody else said here, would you think it was funny if they had someone playing the stereotypical American (as they are seen outside the US) as an arrogant, poorly educated, bully, wearing shorts, white socks and sandals and speaking bad English? You would probably be offended because this is a stereotype, a wrong one, just like the one portraid by Ashton.
I won't buy their products not because I think it was racist but because I don't like having the wool pulled over my eyes. This reeks of a publicity stunt.
You're missing out, forget the add, popchips are really good (no I don't work for popchips)
I can't imagine I have to explain this to anyone in 2012, but if you find yourself putting white makeup on a brown person in 2012 so they can do a bad 'funny' accent to sell potato chips, you are on the wrong course.
It's pretty funny that so many people are ignorant of the definition of racist. Look it up people. This is not racist. When you use the label racist when all you're really trying to say is, "That hurts my sensitive feelings!" you look like a fool. I've seen plenty of comedians over the years make fun of white people and yet, you never see a uproar. But have a white man play the part of someone from a different ethnic background? Whoa, the world is coming to an end!
It's pretty sad that in 2012, the only way you're capable of identifying racism is by looking in the dictionary and playing the matching game. Please take your ignorance of the myriad nuances of racism, both overt and covert, elsewhere.
As a biker I can't imagine I have to explain this to anyone in 2012, but if you find yourself putting a fake beard and tattoos on a preppy Hollywood dude in 2012 so they can do a bad 'funny' accent to sell potato chips, you are on the wrong course!
IT'S GETTING HARD TO BE CAUCASIAN.
HE SHOULD HAVE SAID " GET OVER IT"
THIS IS FAST BECOMING A REAL ISSUE.
I HAVE A SOLUTION, IF SOMEONE HEARS OR SEES YOU DOING SOMETHING OFFENSIVE ( TO THEM )
TELL THEM " APPARENTLY,THATS THE WAY I FEEL "
So, Jim. Do you yell everything in life, or just when you post online? You seem to be a very angry individual. Have you thought about Prozac? Or booze? Let's avoid the always on caps, OK buckaroo?
Being Indian is not a "race", fer Pete's sake. Get a life. I found it hilarious.
to me, he wasn't even funny.
What I find offensive is all the white people here that are always saying, "Lighten up, relax, what's wrong with it? Other races do it to us." What you fail to notice is that white people have done this for years and years and people of color hate it.The redneck, the blonde or whatever other american white person portrayed is never seen as derogatory because you nor your family knows how it is to be born and hated for no reason other than your skin color. You never had to wake up and find out people thought of you as less of a person. If people would respect and acknowledge this it will never be ok because of all the hatred that is still continued. Stop thinking you are better than a person because of your skin or culture learn that comedy is just as hurtful and blowing it off is even worse.
Yeah, yeah, all white people are racist. Keep perpetrating the lie.
GET A PROOFREADER.......
Is The Chappelle Show, then, OK when it stereotypes whites just for a laugh? Is it OK, then, to make fun of Jews? I'm against all bigotry and racism, but let's not act like this bigotry goes in only one direction. And please don't tell me it's ok to be bigoted towards white people (or Jews, or...) because they haven't been persecuted as long. Asinine argument.
I can't grasp how the portrayal of an Indian man could be any more offensive than a stereotypical rip on a biker or a redneck might be.
To Alex...."LIGHTEN UP".
Alex – black people in 2012 are no more hated for the color of their skin than white people. In educated communities, no one hates anyone else based on the color of their skin and in uneducated communities, the hatred is bi-directional. The whole, "White people will never know what it feels like to have their child not be able to play at a friend's house because that friend's parents don't like black people" story is completely outdated.
Ok, so if this is considered racist, how come no one had a problem with the movie Mike Meyers made, or any movie for that matter depicting or poking fun at ones nationality. This in my opinion is not racist, but rather someone taking a jab at whats been done a million times over. People need to stop complaining for one minute, try and enjoy the little pleasures in life and remember, only you can let something bother you.... If you dont like it, turn it off, dont try and start your own movement...... Love The United States of America....
I'm Indian and I thought it was hilarious! Loosen up people..
Did we all just get Punk'd?!
PUBLICITY STUNT...thats all it is....get real ppl...nobody is offended! Both PopChips and Ashton Kutcher dont sell anymore...so maybe a 'controversy' would help them get some attention...at this day n age everyone understands that! Darn...what a waste!
This story is racist. My cat is racist. That bag over there.. highly racist.
This VIDEO IS NOT RACIST HOLY SH-T... PEOPLE NEED TO GROW THE F UP!
Grow the F up you say?I'll bet you're one of the same people who hate Kim Kardashian for dating outside her race,and you hate her mother for excepting her men.
They will get no business from me. An Inidian/Pakistani/Black/ fat person/etc mocking themself is barely tolerable. Others doing so-whites mocking blacks, skinnies mocking fatties, etc-is a no no. The First Rule Of Comedy is: "you only knock your own". Fat women can tell fat lady jokes...skinny men cannot. Of course, it does not surprise me that Kutchee Boy does not know the first thing about comedy. He never did. He never will.
Get over yourself!
Where can one find this Rule Book of Comedy? This Number 1 Rule of Comedy you cite...well, Saturday Night Live has been violating it for almost 40 years. Get a grip.
BS. Just because you make a rule up doesn't make it true. Comedy should mock any and everything, without worrying about the crybabies who get their panties in a bunch.
Jay,
One you probably would never have even heard of this product
Two you probably can't afford popchips
Three if you think putting on makeup is racist, you aren't even fit for the menial jobs we offshore. Three Stooges – black face hilarious, Robert Downey – Black face Tropic Thunder hilarious
Your level of insecurity and absurdity Hilarious
JAY – you have to be kidding right????! First rule of comedy is NOBODY is safe. Seriously, "You only knock your own"....WRONG Wrong wrong! Hey, I'm female, norwegion, chunky and blonde....I laugh at blonde jokes, female, male, Ole and Lena jokes, Gay jokes, straight jokes, black jokes, polish jokes, fat jokes, skinny jokes...LIGHTEN UP!!! we all have vunerable aspects of who and what we are..tell me..you've never, NEVER laughed at a joke on someone elses expense? .I understand that laughing is good for the soul.
Thank you, finally someone on here has sense! White people are not as equally offended when they are made fun of becaue it is after all a " white world"! People of color are offended because the stereotypes that have been around for centuries, continue to be enforced! Even if it's a moron like Kutcher trying to be funny about it, it does not make it right. I saw the commercial and it was stupid, not funny and pointless!
"the first rule of comedy is that you only knock your own?" Tell that to Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Carlos Mencia, George Lopez, Michael Richards (oh wait, he isn't really funny, he IS a racist).
actually, the first (and only) rule of comedy is BE FUNNY!
C'mon, Jay, finish the sentence: you only knock your own IF YOU"RE WHITE. Lame. If you can't take it, don't dish it. And can we all just have a sense of humor and take it? Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and the world laughs at you.
you are so full of crap. almost every non-white comedian makes fun of/insults white people. there is 1 Indian comedian that his entire act is making fun of every other race/ethnic group in the world. you are truly an idiot.
As a potatoe, I'm deeply offended that you're all too busy stuffing yourselves to note the genocide of my people.
Oh we note it, however the term genocide would invoke random killing of potato. There is nothing random about what we are doing. To put it frankly, your people are delicious. Particularly when baked, split open and filled with butter, bacon and sour cream. Our survival is secure.
OMG Why is everything racist? How insecure are you idiots? Didn't one of your mothers ever tell you about sticks and stones. America is a Free Speech nation (sort of, we're losing that by the minute) so turn away, boycott or whatever you chose. JUST STOP TELLING ME WHAT IS APPROPRIATE OR NOT. IF I LIKE IT, IT'S APPROPRIATE! If you are so proud of your heritage, what are you doing here in the apparent land of racism? Go back to your country and abuse women and children, you know just every day life in mid-east/africa
Really? Racist? NOT! If this is racist then the Simpsons have been completely racist since the introduction of Apu! What about The Big Bang Theory? Harold and Kumar anyone? This ad is not racist. Political Correctness (PC) needs to DIE now!
It's not funny in a commercial, but if it were in a movie it' would be ok??? It' is humor folks. Even if you don't think it's funny, it's still not maliciously intended. So I assume the company didn't win you over with the ad, but they shouldn't have to apologize for trying. Don't take yourself so seriously.
Hey Bev, are you a fattie? You have a fat woman name.....Just sayin'
OMG! I am SO offended! Not by the characters, but by Ashton Kutcher! Take him off immediately!! 😉
This was really funny. There is nothing wrong with it at all.
The video is NOT racist. Nor is it funny...... still have no idea what its supposed to promote.
Ignorance: Not knowing the difference between "stereotyping" and "racism."
Clearly some folks need to lighten up... NOT racist at all. He poked fun at all kinds here. Besides, even if it was just him playing an Indian fellow, it wouldn't have been racist. Stereotypical, yes, but not racist.
Does anybody remember Short Circuit???
I have no idea how anyone could find this offensive. It wasn't particularly funny, but anyone offended by this....how have you survived in this world? You must get offended when the sun comes up and the weather changes.
Why aren't hippies also offended that they were stereotyped as being drugged out idiots?
I'm an Indian and I find nothing offensive in this ad...Anil Dash – stop being so insecure about your race and learn to laugh at yourself...
There is no 'correct' accent and 'perfect' race....so what's the fuss all about?
Another self hating apologist...F-you...F-off
I am a white redneck and i am deeply offended by the white redneck character.
Oh please, everyone knows rednecks can't read or write. 🙂
PopChips should have politely insisted the ad is not racist and went on with their day. It isn't racist. People parody every race on a regular basis.
I'm only offended because it's not funny and they're ripping off Jimmy Fallon.
This is one of the best commercials in recent years. I think that it is extremely funny and I hope that it is not pulled from the marketing campaign. This is worthy of a superbowl ad, the commercial has gone viral because it is a great ad and not for any other reason.
That was racist?! Get a grip. Funny how when a black man mocks other races it's comedy, when a white person does it racist. The race card is worn out. No one cares anymore. It's old.
Well said. I'm sure CNN will cover it and the same voices will protest the next time Dave Chappelle dons white face to make fun of the white race. Oh, right, I forgot. Minorities can't be racist by CNN definition.
He's not African American, Rob Kozik. He's Indian. A Caucasian actor with brown make-up insights racial stereotypes with some individuals.
So I guess the movie, "White Chicks" is then a rascist movie. Two black guys made to look like two white women. The movie is very funny! Come on people relax a bit.
Eh, the movie was OK, but nothing worth seeing twice. Point being, if two white comedic brothers – say the Sklar brothers (who are white and Jewish) – made a movie called "Black Chicks," it would be decried as racist.
No, you've got it all wrong. It's only racism when white people do or say something.
Is all racial humor "racist?" Put another way, is any racial or ethnic humor acceptable in the multicultural United States in the 21st century?
It wasn't racist it was stereotypical. Yeesh.
I would not have apologized If I were the Pop Chips CEO. I would have maybe sent out a statement saying it was done in pure fun period! No apology needed! People cry race and everyone jumps- Ridiuclous waste of energy, enjoy the fun eat a pop chip.
Political correctness is cultural Marxism.
http://reasonradionetwork.com/20120419/attack-the-system-the-ideology-of-totalitarian-humanism
I can't stand him!
Oh, gee, I can't guess what might be racist bout this. Uh, maybe a white guy playing an Indian appearing to be stupid, wiht a bad accent and making a joke about wearing shoes from a cow won in a milking contest – are seriously saying that wasn't meant as a joke about how Indians (and, by the way, not all Indians – just Hindus) respect cows?
This isn't about political correctness – it's about being decent humna beings and not boys in grade 7. You Americans need to grow up. Do you think there wouldn't be outrage if there were an Indian commercial with an American as a war mongering, imperialist eating potato chips while talking about whom he'd like to date? Would it be okay if Kutcher played a steretypical Jew and made inappropriate jokes about what a deal he got on his shoes or how fed his dog meat on the same plate as the cheese? No. It would be infantile and offensive and,yes, racist. Just as this ad is.
What's interesting is that you think responding to racism by stereotyping other people is appropriate. Your comment about Americans being portrayed as war mongering imperialists stereotypes Americans. I happen to know a few Americans and they're pretty nice people.
Paul
Miami, FL
I doubt there be outrage, but I see your point.
@irishadian Re your American example, I'd call that "accurate"... just like the Indian example in the video is.
I'm offended at everyone always being offended.
well said
Oh but there are. Many. Most typical American stereotypes include "The Texan", "The Redneck", "Stuffy White Guy who can't dance and is offended by everything" and the equal opportunity stereotype, "Black guy with gold teeth decked out in bling". The difference most Americans don't riot, protest, burn things or kill people indiscriminately when someone makes fun of them or their religion.
If I do not see the full ad posted I will NEVER EVER have those snacks in my store. EVER.
This is ridiculous, so the movie White Chicks is Racist, Eddie Murphy's Old Jewish Character, is not only RACIST but ANTI SEMETIC TOO! OMG! Oh and TROPIC THUNDER DUDE, Downey, Jr. should go to JAIL you RACIST PIG
Its hard to be a white comedian, Blacks comedian make jokes about white folks all the time, this is not racist, Was a nice commerical
The video is funny! People get a sense of humor already. I am going out and buying Pop Chips now. I guess all the black comedians will be banned from comedy now. Give me a break, go stick your head in a slurpee!
I think the racism is on the part of the PC people.Do they somehow think that other countries and ethnic groups lack humor and can't laugh at themselves.Americans make fun of themselves, Jews make fun of themselves, blacks make fun of themselves. By stepping up and trying to protect people who probably don't even care or are laughing at the joke themselves, you are being unintentionally racist.You are saying that they are weak and sensitive and need your protection.I think we all have a good idea of when the jokes get cruel, but accents and characterizations can also be interpreted as an homage as well.
Sorry dugee, but the person referenced above who complained, one of the so called "PC people" as you call them is of Indian descent. You're assumption that the people complaining were white is something you might want to self examine on.
I agree with several of the comments; role or character playing is not racist and I thought it was really funny and would have bought the product. The Pop-Chips crew miscalculated the public reaction and let a few knuckleheads scare them off a funny and clever ad campaign. I'm amazed now that anthropologists didn't protest the Geico Neanderthal ads.
Wow, brown skin seems to be thin.
If they needed someone in brown-face they should've gotten that ugly broad who took her kid into the tanning booth from Nutjob, NJ. Her face looks like shoe leather.
Indians should be banned from gyms. They stink up the joint. Seriously.
The curry they eat sweats out and makes gyms intolerable.
Now that,s not only racist,It makes you a complete piece of ish!
Everybody needs to lighten up
rac·ism (rszm)
n.
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
Not seeing the above in the commercial. Owner should not have apologized. Nothing wrong here.
Some people are stuck in a mentality exclusive to a decade. No one will miss the 60's, 70's, 80's in 2 more decades time and laugh at all the mean, evil idiots from these times..
Actually you are somewhat correct – like the nostolgic, "Happy days", "Wonder years" or "That 70's show", there will always be shows that occur about 20 to 30 years after a particular decade and highlight the things that occured during that decade.
Most folks will view it all the same way and feel waves of nostolgia, not hate or anything else. The politically correct folks have to ease up, these days no one can say anything if it does not meet their view of socially and politically correct. Fortunately most of us odn't give a hoot about what these people think and already and in sarcastic terms laugh at the PC crowd and their attempts at censorship.
I liked the ad.
If you think that ad was racist, you have a lot to learn about racism. Who's civil rights were denied or infringed upon because of that stupid ad? This is no worse than Apu, a character who's been on the Simpsons for 20 years (other than the fact that it wasn't nearly as funny).
Do you realize that everytime you throw out the race card you lessen it's impact?
It's to the point where if a white person says anything about fried chicked or watermelon, "it's racist" or if I go to the pound and pick a white kitten instead of a black kitten, "it's racist" or if LeBron James gets called for a foul on Dirk Nowitzki, "it's racist."
Calm down a bit people. Lynchings were racist, Jim Crow laws were racist, segregation was racist. Unfunny Ashton Kutcher using a bad Indian accent is not racist.
Wow – hypersensitive – PC society we live in. Get over it! This is not racism.
I guess we need to ban all future Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Billy Crystal, and Joe Piscopo impersonations.
I am so SICK of these thin-skinned cry babies! Get a sense of humor, will ya!
Exactly.
When the Wayans brothers made the White Chicks movies & painted their faces white & spoke like "white girls", everyone laughed and no one was offended.
But heaven forbid if you put brown or black paint on your face & speak in an accent, you're a raging racist.
Everyone just needs to relax, have a sense of humor and get over it.
Lets see Ashton Kutcher portray an American unable to add two single digit numbers. We will see who will be laughing then and crying about racism.
The video is funny! People get a sense of humor already. I am going out and buying Pop Chips now. I guess all the black comedians will be banned from comdey now. Give me a break, go stick your head in a slurpee!
Suckit.
I can dance, just not with you. Plus your version of dancing is the white version of somebody having a seizure
Sorry Amit but there were at least four different caucasian parodies in the same clip. Grow a spine, stand up straight, and for Allah's sake LAUGH!!!!!
But I do it better you have no a55 so you have nothing to throw down,and i'm not fat this body is t ight.
Let's see, Ashton Kutcher plays opposite Angus T. Jones who plays an American would can't add two-digit numbers. Isn't that close enough?
Oh really? And someone found this racist? Who was that? Ashton Kutcher's publicist? I would like to KNOW WHO ACTUALLY FOUND THIS RACIST? It looks to me LIKE A PUBLICITY STUNT AND NOTHING MORE....if someone actually found this racist that would be in itself strange but THAT IT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO MAKE THE NEWS THE HEADLINE NEWS IS UNBELIEVABLE....WHY DONT YOU PEOPLE GET OVER YOURSELVES MAN? ITS TOO MUCH TO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE THIS CONSUMED WITH THEMSELVES.
I don't see any racism in it whatsoever. People need to cool down because nobody is after nobody. I can't say I was laughing either , but in no way this can be characterized as a racist ad....dahh.
Some people just can't take a joke................... I'ts all about PC nowadays.
Someone, somewhere, is constantly offended.
everything is deemed racist anymore,... it is a term thrown around way too much and has lost much meaning if you ask me,...
OMGosh!!! People, grow a pair and stop being so damn sensitive about nothing
Where's the racist part? I thought this was funny, not racist, offensive or in bad taste. Some people need to relax and appreciate humor when they see it.
Maybe if people just stopped apologizing, and let the bellyachers, bellyache! It's called comedy. All comedians "parody" someone or something all the time. All these people searching the web looking for things to complain about have way too much time on their hands......GET A JOB!
This is called playing a character, not stereotyping. Just the same as all the other characters in the commercial were. They were all speaking about dating and did it as the character they portrayed. There's a difference. Lighten up.
But it's okay for Eddie Murphy to play an assortment of black or white men and women? Time to lighten up a little.
I agree. It is a character that is being played. It's not like we had the same kinda uproar over the movie "White Chicks"....I guess if it's something nobody cares to watch, it doesn't matter.
Hey Anil Dash – just because something isn't funny doesn't make it racist.
seriously, ok ok, i know "black face" was offensive and still is, paint on your face is generally a no no, if he's talking about the painted face, i can see that, but its Ashton F-ing Kutcher, NOBODY takes him seriously, he's a comedian. Even if he had worn "black face" and talked with a Harlem accent I probably would have laughed. With that said it was a skit better left for a SNL bit or a comedy setting not an ad to sell potato chips where it would be exposed to millions, some of which have no sense of humor
Would it still be funny if he was in a black makeup in a prison suit?
I am Indian and I do not think this is racist at all. I think this guy "tech entrepreneur Anil Dash" do not have any thing to do but just love to see his name in news. or may be thats the reason Tech stocks are going down. Get a life man and have some laugh...even if the joke is crack on you. I do same..and if you are so concern about race and then go back to India and do not make other Indian look bad.
I LOVE IT!!!!! Complainers get a life.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! M WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!. fREAKIN' OVERSENSITIVE MORONS...
Not racist at all, provably this Anil Dash, got his Menstrual cycle and is a bit over sensitive 🙂
Had fun wayching it. Impressed by Kutcher's acting skill. Bollywood should hire him. There was no racism. Raj is definitely a Bollywood movie maker from 70s. And Bollywood movie makers do not resemble mainline Indians.
Did they edit out the racist part?.........'Cause it wasn't in the video I just watched.
Seems kind of funny. Hardly "racist". And I'm a liberal. If they had included a Scotsman, which is my ancestry, complete with a red beard, a kilt and a brogue, I think it would have been hilarious. A stereotype, perhaps, but hilarious. We all need to get a grip...not to mention a sense of humor. Please!
That's the first thing I thought – "Lots of people mimic Scots, complete with kilts & red hair". It's not racist! This guy must have a fit when "The Party" pops up on cable!
Oh like we can't joke about anything anymore. Sheesh. I am a computer and sci-fi geek you don't think I get sterotyped and joked about on TV everyday? Grow a backbone people.
Welcome to the America of the Offended...
Maybe this is not racist.. as Racist is a strong word, but it is in bad taste. Would it be racist to Asians if Ashton was making "chink" eyes? Or if he was dressed in a prison suit as a black person? Or was portrayed as a coupon collecting Jewish person with a large nose? ..
No, that would not be racist. It would be stereotyping. Racist would be if the character made a comment about how he is superior or inferior to the other contestants based on his race. It seems like a large amount of people have no idea the difference between racist, discrimination, and stereotyping
People just p*ss me off! Get over yourselves already. It a satiraztion. You see it in movies all the time. Stop being so d*mn sensitive!
So @DebW what are you really trying to say 8-P""`
Dittto!!
The best ad ever!
OK, to protect everybody's sensibilities we need new rules. . .
Kids – no more dressing up, no more pretending, no more school plays.
Character Actors – no more makeup to make yourself look different or, like someone else, or well, better. Go as you are.
Horror actors – No more dressing up like scary deranged people. No more dressing up like zombies. No more dressing up like monsters. From now on, movies that call for monsters or zombies must use real monsters or zombies.
Halloween – Cancelled.
Anybody that does not remember camp ought to get a life. It's to the point you can not say anything without offending someone. I look like the biker redneck dude but, I am not offended it's called "FUNNY" if you can't take a joke you are wound to tight.
I use to not like Kutcher because he stole Demi from me but, he is actually a good actor and let's face it I had as much chance at Demi as winning the Lottery!!!!! All I can say is grow-up and act like adults and get over yourself.
This was nothing but having a good time.
OH YEA!!! But I guess it's OK for like 58,000 people in India to pretend to be American, answer the phone and say "Hi...I am Bob...how can I help you?" everytime I call my bank, CableTV company or have a problem with my Dell computer. Will these stupid "EVERYTHING IS RACIST" Morons please get a life!!!!! There is only ONE RACE YA'LL!!!! THE HUMAN RACE....and we were all once black (and quite furry) like several hundred years ago when we lived in what is now Africa....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PS: did he get the date?
Actually, I'm American and white and I think the idea of an Indian guy pretending to me 'Bob' is hillarious. I would love to hear it. But then, I'm not full of mysel either.
Uncle Bob, did you have a litte too much to drink last night honey?
I'm offended by all this ridiculous political correctness. Who do I see about a payout?
Anil Dash there is NOTHING racist about this adv. Stop creating something out of nothing.
Where's our sense of HUMOR, folks?? So sad that EVERYTHING has to be turned into some "issue". It's so lame.... we really have got to be able to laugh at ALL of ourselves. This was not racist – it was just funny. Geez.....
Just another example of of PC gone wild. Folks just need to get over themselves. If people could learn to laugh at themselves, half of the world's problems would go away.
Amen to that rasmataz! Instead of being able to find humor in ourselves, we are a hypersensitive society, and I, for one, am sick of it!
This country has become so politically correct that everyone sues for everything and gets offended by everything. Its a disgrace. The video in question is a parody and whoever is truly offended by it needs to get a life.
Seriously even tho it was not funny, people need to lighten up on this failed attempt on comedy...
Too many people screaming racism for stupid things such as this....
I agree with this guy!!
Lighten up people! Sheesh!
I fail to see where the racism is... people get a grip or go get some therapy. Whoever thought this was racist is obviously suffering from extreme oversensitivity.
people need to relax and get a life. i seen the commercial and there is nothing racist about it.
I can feel America's skin getting thinner and thinner...
Hey Dash,shut the hell up jerk !!!
II am of Indian descent (India, not native American, although I wish the latter for the US benefits since no other minority benefits come my way 😀 ).
Anyhoo, it would be hypocritical for me to call this racist when other comments refer to 'White Chicks' movie, plus existence of Apu on Simpsons. Even with extremes of Tyler Perry, pushing stereotypes makes your neighbors seem more normal (think Dave Chappelle's hilarious but thought provoking sketches). Ignorance exists no matter what. At lleast Dave Chappelle was funny. Ashton Kutcher was not even funny here. At least be good if you are going to do this, or hire someone with more talent. I'd rather see Dana Carvey do this ad.
U.S. benefits...now that's whats funny....who gets benefits other than poor Native Americans forced to live on reservations....the benefits do not out way the struggles and discrimination that we still face today.
Dave Chapelle's blind African-american Klan leader sketch was absolute brilliance.
Native Americans are not forced to live on reservations, they are allowed to leave and live elsewhere if they want to. Most of them decide they will stay on the reservation, collect their benefit money and drink it. Some leave and get real jobs and still collect their money. There is a Dennys restaurant in Durango Colorado. When I was there I mentioned to a friend who lives in Ignacio that there weren't any tribal people working there, and mentioned the lawsuit filed against Dennys in Washington DC claiming racism in hiring practices. She told me, they would either have to sober up to fill out an application or sober up to go to court. Either way, they wouldn't sober up long enough to go to the tribal office to pick up their check. Direct deposit, a gift from the Great Spirit.
Really the commercial was racist. You gotta be kidding me, get over it Anil Dash, and while you get over it, find yourself a sense of humor. Oh and Popchips you didn't need to apologize to this guy your not the problem it's him and everybody who thinks like he does. I hope you sell a million of them.
I think the Apu character in the Simpsons is far more racially stereotyping, but people have just laughed it off for years.
or Token in Southpark....anyway I agree.
rac·ism /ˈreɪsɪzəm/ Show Spelled[rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA
noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
-–Maybe these people should reference the dictionary. You just look plain stupid when your opinion associates racism with this video.
Get a life. Comedy is comedy.
It was goofy. Not hysterical, but pretty darn goofy. I saw this ad prior to hearing it was racist, and after watching it again I don't think it falls in the racist category. Someone needs to get over themselves. I don't think the Pop Chips guy had to apologize, but it was nice he did for the very few he apparently offended...and now he's just getting extra exposure. Good for him.
I wish people would learn the meaning of the word "racist." Racism involves the idea of ethnic superiority over another. THIS doesn't even begin to touch that. When did people become so sensitive? This commercial is not racist. Ignorant and funny? Yes.
1980s elite white-guilt academia broke the world's funny bone and it never healed.
Thank you, come again 😉
Oh, but the other non-Indian racial stereotypes are ok! Well fffffff uuuuuuuuu !!!!!!!!!!
Never heard this type of whining when Mike Myers did the Love Guru. Must be a slow news day.
Here's what I find interesting. Most minorities laugh when other minorities are made fun of by the mainstream media. Many of them will even perpetuate stereotypes against other minorities. But when it is THEIR race being attacked, look out! I am an African-American man and I have had Indians stereotype me and my kind. So you know what I say? Deal with it! That's what everyone tells us, so take your own advice. Here's the thing about haters who are racist, they hate ALL of us! There's no degree like: "Oh, they hate THOSE people more than they hate us". They hate us all. And, they also hate anyone who would try to bring people together rather than tearing us apart. So fellow dark people who got dissed by this ad, the next time you are judging me based solely on my color, eat a Pop Chip 🙂
Well put, my friend! Hypocrisy running rampant out there....... 🙂
My biggest probem with the ad was that is horribly unfunny. Maybe to people with low iq's who enjoy borat but this was embarassing. Feel bad that he did something so stupid.
Anybody mention Michael Myers in the "Love Guru." It's been done already...BIG DEAL!
When I imitate Indians, I pretend I'm a customer service rep or technical assistant on a hotline.
I myself am Indian and I have absolutely no problems with that commercial. It's just some light-hearted fun. People need to stop being so sensitive.
Thanks for that HD! I'm black and I share your sentiment. People should lighten up. It's called parody, and there was nothing mean-spirited about it. Has anyone ever heard of a little show called "Saturday Night Live?" I used to love when Darrell Hammond (white) played Jessie Jackson on Weekend Update sketches. It was just plain ole funny. And Eddie Murphy's sketch where he portrays a 'day in the life of a white man' is classic. I see this ad the same way.
I'm sure that the majority of the people screaming 'racism' have never actually experienced it themselves as I have.
Seriously!
Gee...lighten up....it's a joke. As an Italian who use to listen to Father Guido Sarducci on SNL....it's supposed to be fun.
These were actually pretty good.
Kutchner is NOT a comedian.. He is NOT funny. That is why this whole thing failed. Frankly, he's not even a good actor. He is screaming for attention-like is CMA bit dressed like a d-bag.
Being funny, aka Borat, E.Murphy, etc. lets you get away with things. Ashton- your 15 minutes has been over for quite some time.
jen, this ad actually features some high level acting that neither you nor me would be able to pull off
You would think there was nothing serious to worry about.
How is it racist?
Please, someone explain how this video promotes the idea that one race is superior to another?
when people falsely accuse other of racism. they themselves are the true racist! Anil Dash, you are a true Coward and Racist Bas-tard!
I am BROWN (yes with the accent) and I think its very funny
Yeah, I'm Yellow.... and I love the ad... who cares???? I just need my Engineering Degree.. where's that?
I remember seen eddie murphy do something similar in SNL, it was funny. I wonder if the people that watch him portrait a white person, with white make up, were not laughing at this, while they are complaining now.
I wonder what would have been said if an Indian person put on white makeup and spoke with a new york or southern accent? People today are losing their minds !! Honestly we have become a nation of hyper-sensitive idiots get a hold of youselves people!!!!
America needs to lighten up.
I feel like it could be funnier...I don't know...Maybe more silliness.
I agree with 99% of the comments. Get over it. It was funny. Lighten up. Laughing extends life.
I suppose no one remembers "White Chicks", but that's OK – right? Sounds like many have a double standard to me.
What does the movie "White Chicks" have to do with this? Kutcher is mocking an Indian guy.
Just because we're talking about a new racist portrait doesn't mean we've forgotten about all the ones that came before.
White Chicks was racist and tasteless too– but this isn't about every stupid and racist thing ever done or created– it's about THIS racist thing.
And no, people haven't forgotten about the "reverse" racism from that movie– in fact it often ranks high in some of the most racist movies of all time.
Dan, if you can't see how this is in the same vein as White Chicks, there isn't much hope for you. Obviously, the Wayans brothers were mocking white women and pulling out lots of stereotypes in their depictions of whites. I'm white. Do I care? No! Indians, Blacks, Whites, Asians, Aborigines all need to lighten up and just move along. If it doesn't speak to you, it wasn't meant for you.
Nobody remembers "White Chicks" because it wasn't that memorable.
I haven't seen that bad of an imitation of an Indian since Fisher Stevens in "Short Circuit."
That wasn't racist,it actually was pretty funny
HEY, HEY....This has NOTHING to do with black people, so leave them out of this. Harp on the INDIAN people who called shenanigans regarding this ad.
This is totally insane! The world would have to ban pretty much every single stand-up comedy routine that's ever existed on this planet in order to comply with this kind of "politically correct" nonsense. I hate to admit it, but I'm actually a little too easy to offend some times myself. But I watched this clip twice, and I did NOT see anything that was even remotely offensive to me. So are they going to ban the "Raj" character on The Big Bang Theory now?? Jeez... Gimme a break!
Seriously Folks, I can be sure that it is a White person who pointed this "offense" out. We are always looking out for it. Because we are the pros of racism and desire to see it go on forever. Get a grip people, Indians are not offended by this, it's the White Media who thinks they should be offended.
Really??? I am white and never thought a thing of the commercial, Saturday Night Live did skits like this all the time. Get a grip people, learn how to take a joke.
This never ending quest to be P.C. and never offend anyone is where the justification for thought crime starts
I went to visit my family in Europe, the city had costume carnival (during Christmas), there was men that were wearing Muslim women costumes, all kinds of masks (including Pr. Obama, Bush). I cant imagine anything like this in America. Everything is considered racist here. Freedom in US is only in guns, you can have tones of guns in your Big Red Barn, everything else is BS.
i honestly don't see how this is racist
Wow....Much ado about nothing.
If this is offensive, then, I'm offended that the press portrays Obama as black, when he had a white mother.... He's as much white as he is black.... I'm also offended by the guy in the Mickey Mouse suit at Disney World, for portraying a mouse, when he's not one..... and any actor, in any show, portraying themselves as someone they are not.... Apparently entertainment should be strictly real.
Maybe it has to do cuz he looks more black than white... Any place in the planet folks would look at him and would say, "yeap Obama is black." That has nothing to do with been racist. Is the same as saying that George Lopez is a brown Mexican of Native American descendant while Cameron Diaz is a white Latin women of Spanish background. We call it the way they look.
Well, I see AK finally took off that knit hat of his! Lol!
Sorry but that was hilarious. It played off a lot of stereotypes. If you can't tolerate this level of humor you really are wound up too tight.
Kutcher sucks! Someone kick him off "Two and a Half Men" now!
Haolies...they'll never get it...
Get over it! There's always these babies who seem to scream and cry about everything. Does anyone remember the movie "White Chicks", I never heard that was ever protested so hard.
White Chicks wasn't the same thing.
Besides, the main reason that movie wasn't protested was that people realized it was going to be a huge bomb and be out of the theaters before it even mattered.
Grow a skin people. it is all in fun
Get a grip people. Racist...NOT!....Ashton's one and only decent performance..YES! Good job welcome to real acting my boy.
Matt Chin get a SENSE OF HUMOR!!!!!!!
It is OK to laugh at each other life is short we need not to take things so seriously that we forget to laugh. Should I be offended because you called us white people? BOO HOO I am OFFENDED
People have forgotten how to laugh at themselves.
Dear Anil, I can't imagine I have to explain this to you in 2012, that sometimes a joke is just a joke and has no malicious intent. I'm brown, of Indian ethnicity, and the only thing I found offensive was someone like you trying to create a controversy out of nothing. Stop playing the race card at every opportunity. It's like crying wolf – if you do it all the time, nobody will care when the real wolf comes around. Save your fake outrage for someone who is truly trying to incite racial hatred. O ye of very thin skin.
I agree. Seriously Anil. Get over yourself! And don't pretend to speak for all Indians. I am an Indian in South Africa and found nothing racist in the ad. You don't know what racism is if you believe this ad is. Get a life, relax....and don't take life so seriously.
Seriously, the complaint has to be a publicity stunt. No one in their right mind is going to object to this clip.
Nothing racist about it. Just mildly amusing schtick comedy. This sappy PC'r, Anil Dash is trying to compare this tanned look of Raj (Kutcher), to the plight of the early Black's in America when white actors used "blackface" paint to portray black people on stage. The issue back then was black people were not given the opportunities to act. Instead replaced by white people portraying blacks. Dash's argument is complete nonsense.
The only thing wrong with the add is skin of the redneck biker is too pale. He should be as tanned as Raj.
Why are people so easily offended in this country? Not everything has to be taken so seriously, sanitized and politically correct all of the time, especially COMEDY.I Wake up America! There are way more important issues facing the nation.
Try lower case: it's funnier and it will not dtract from your obvious manliness. Unless you're a woman and in that case your feminity will either stay intact or be enhanced. Really...
I wonder what the oh-so-offended Anil Dash thinks about the extremely common colorism and racsim among Indians, both here and in India. Racism and colorism are ingrained in Indian culture.
What if some Caucasian guy actually had the moxie to say: Okay, if you think this makes me a racist, I am a racist?
that wasn't offensive, but it also wasn't funny. snore...
I am East Indian. Born and brought up. I do not think this is racist. There are a lot of racist things in my own culture (Indian culture I mean) I would first try to correct those instead of getting riled up over harmless jokes.
BTW, this tech wannabe Anil Dash isn't a representative of Indian culture or people. I cannot believe people relied on the opinion of this man and pulled their ad campaign.
So, no more pretending to be anyone... so nobody can get insulted? This world sucks. Were bikers, fashionistas, dogs and hippies offended?
How about apologies from the Waynes brothers & Martin Lawrence for their characters that appeared in white face?
It was a funny ad. Why can't peole just watch something & laugh anymore?
has anyone ever seen the Dave Chappelle show? Or the Wayans Bros. and Eddie Murphy in white face? I didn't hear any white people complaining. In fact, the people complaining now are white and have a "feel good feeling" for being ultra-PC with a stick up their collective butts.
I just am offended by the commercial because Ashton Kutcher is King of DBags
People are waaaaaaay too sensitive.
it is a funny AD, I do not think majority of Indians are upset with this. Just a few in the media, making a big deal about it.
I'm just not sure how this sells potato chips. And how would you be spelling that?
Here is why this was SO bad: Ashton Kutcher does not have enough talent or charisma to make anything funny. He is just a loser. Who keeps casting him and by god WHO keeps sleeping with this thing. A man should at least be smart enough to find his way home without breadcrumbs.
He's smart enough to keep himself relevant and have the $$ to keep coming in.
Come againnnnnn 🙂 ( i said that in an indian accent 🙂 )
Another in a long list of PC stupidity. Stop apologizing for no reason!!
People who find this a "racist" commerical has a sad life, since when does acting become racist when trying to capture another acent. Some people in America needs to adopt a sense of humor
People mistake tastelessness for racism all the time.
Is Hank Azaria now "racist" since he is not Indian but is the voice of Apu on The Simpsons?
If he does it in "brown-face"... yes!
No matter what anyone says or does someone will be offended somewhere. Do we have to apologize for everything. Jeez. It's comedy. It means nothing. Get over it.
Why is no one insulted by the stereotypical redneck WHITE guy? or the stereotypical artsy german WHITE guy?
Because I hate you.
Get a life
They did what they ventured out to do. It may be tasteless, but I had never heard of popchips before the ad.
I was offended by the movie "White Chicks" in 2004, but nobody seemed to notice. Oh..that doesn't count. Sorry, I forgot I'm not allowed to get offended.
Bartman is totally correct. If we're going to have this walking-on-eggshells political correct society, it HAS to go both ways. You can't have a gay activist bludgeoning the bible in a school function, then say pastors are hate mongers for reporting that the bible says that gay is a sin in Christiianity. Not believing in Allah is a sin in Islam. That's ok to preach.
Anil Dash himself is an example of the worse Indian.
Its Anil Dash who needs to apologize for his own "can't take a joke" impairment.
Kutcher is so devoid of charm or acting skill that it still amazes me that anyone pays any attention to him.
I am German, should I be offended too? Seriously I don't see the issue here and the day we stop being able to laugh about parodies about ourselves and start seeing racism in any little thing is a very sad day in my book.
Just because white people think they didn't mean to offend anyone, doesn't make this OK. You guys are idiots if you think this is not offensive. It is not OK to capitalize on making fun of people because they look and sound different. It's infantile, and only makes you look ignorant, sheltered, naive, bigoted, and incapable of empathy for fellow human beings – you know, rascist. Or in language you'll understand, try that s–t in "yellow" make up and I will knock your god damn teeth out.
OK Francis, it's time to "lighten up".
Oh yeah ! The CHINKS want so skin tooo.
The US is going to blow you yellow chisks into hell one of these days.
Matt, Learn to get a sense of Humor, unlike you, I've actually travelled the world to Asia, The Ads you find their as well as ads in Africa, are a Whitenning Skin ads, That would be More of a Racist Ad then This, Get in touch with reality pal. you have a sad life if you think this sort of stuff is deemed racist, and if you really want to get into the racist topic, what about some black/indian humor where whites are protrayed as the enemy.. or better yet, Family guy is based more Rasict than this ad. Grow up, adapt a since of Humor and actually learn to laugh a little bit, maybe you will actually get a friend.
Matt, and just so you know, My wife is Asian, she is from Indonesia and she doesn't find this ad racist, she found this ad funny, basically your the only one on this forum that finds this a racist ad
I heard asians have small ding-dongs
Get a life Matt!
So in a sketch where someone is playing multiple characters, they can only play their race or else it would be offensive? Do I have that right? I guess they needed to pull an Indian guy and an asian guy and a real biker in just to make sure that no one was offended. We use comedy to highlight the absurdness. As someone who's white and CONSTANTLY the butt of all stereotypical jokes (a nerd too, doesn't help), I'd walk around a pretty angry person if I took offense to every caucasian stereotype. Do I get offended. No I laugh because it's funny. You'd have to throw out every stand-up comedian as bunch of racists. Now if you're upset because you don't like Kutcher or his comedy, then that's a different debate entirely.
I am an Indian living in the US and if we can't make fun of ourselves once in a while or see it being done on TV, we are taking ourselves too seriously. There is no ill intent here so this should be taken for what it is and nothing more.
I'm not indian, but I love indian people. I love big bang theory and my favorite character is Raj. they do a lot of racist jokes on there, not just indian, but jewish, too. it's comedy and as you say, we should all be able to laugh at ourselves.. this PC stuff goes too far sometimes..
Yeah you ya puke
Most excellent! Good job.
Seriously, I am an (east) Indian and I found the ad hilarious and funny. it was harmless. people who are riled up about this ad, should get more "love" or go meditate atop Mt. Everest.
I am a gay Indian hippie and I was not offended.
OK, fine, it's racist. From this point forward, no one but white people can imitate the sound or look of white people b'c it's obviously racism. Dave Chapelle, Eddie Murphy, etc. Rule is you can only make fun of your own race, religion, heritage, etc. Call it Comedic Segregation.
Not True, Rev.
It's only ok when a member of a disadvantaged group makes fun of socially advantaged group. Black comedians making fun of white's generalized shortcomings is hilarious. Unless it's everyone making fun of Asians, which still remains OK for some reason.
In the mean time.....Ashton and Popchips get a lot of advertising out of this......so let them soak it up, well deserved.
Oh Please! Racist? At some point it's not about the color of your skin, it's the thickness of your skin. Everyone does silly things that others find funny. Suck it up and deal with it. More PC gone wild.
All of those are caricatures, not just the Raj character.
His face had a whitish powder when he played the young Karl Lagerfeld, so is that racist too? How can it be racist for an ACTOR to portray different types of people? He was not racist at all! This is ridiculous.
If this is an offensive commercial, so are the Carls Jr ads of the models/stars in bikinis with their breasts falling out as they are stuffing their faces with these hugely depicted hamburgers. I as a woman can say this is insulting! LOL get a grip people, its a commercial. And don't think for a minute that in other countries they don't commercials that make fun of Americans. Think they pull their ad? Probably not. I think there's more to life than whining about a 30 second clip.
I am of non-white/Anglo descent. I see nothing racist or offensive about this. It's called "acting". Whether good or bad, it's still nothing more than an actor portrayng a ficticious character. People who are offended by this should probably not go to the movies or watch TV.
The thing about these race issues is that there are so many opportunists that look for every chance to get their messages heard. First, you have some people going out in protest of something...anything, and then you have the faithful mob that comes out to say that the white man is being persecuted. This small circle of opportunists and the mob need to be put in a humungous colosseum to fight to the death...those left standing fed to lions. It's the nature of the beast. Race jokes are on a fine line to walk. Kutcher's jokes weren't funny to some people. I get it.
There is a fundamental difference in the true definition of racist and that of bigot. The Politically Correct Police have hijacked the word racism. Recognizing that there are different races and using that difference to categorize people does not necessarily mean that one is discriminating against that group of people. That would be bigotry. I do not see where the portrayal of Raj is any more hurtful than that of Darl or Swordfish or the stoner guy. It is a caricature – a purposeful exaggeration of a particular characteristic. Intelligent adults ( and kids, and even not so intelligent ones) realize that not ever near eastern individual speaks like this, or acts like this. Similarly, not every self help guru speaks like Cheech Marin in 1973, not oover biker wears a sleeveless vest with no shirt, etc.
There are, in fact, countless caricatures of caucasians: THink of Valley Girls, Preppy New Englanders, or Rednecks. Heck, Jeff Foxworthy has made an entire career out of making a caricature out of aspects of the latter group. But none of his work is intended to insult, demean or discriminate against overweight southern gentlemen. It is humor, people. There is no ill intent. And there is virtually no possibility that this portrayal could cause a person of similar descent any financial, intellectual, emotional or physical hardship.
Don't we have much better issues to address? Factions of the US government are trying to methodically discriminate against women and their health care choices. Those who need to spend time whining about a humorous chip commercial need to get a grip.
@Brian-
That was by far one of the most intelligent replies I have read on CNN and to think it was in the entertainment section (which is constantly lambasted as garbage). I agree 100%. Could not say it better.
There was no like button, so I just thought I would show my appreciation for intelligence.
I completely agre. HOW is this racist? I am from India, and there is NOTHING wrong with this. I mean, come on, how many times have we had Indian actors donning blond wigs and painting themselves white to potray themselves as 'firangi' – the hindi word for foreighner.
In fact, the character of 'Raj' has been caricatured in Indian jokes countless times, him being the quintessential romantic lead in multiple films potrayed by the leading Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan.
These guys need to take a chill pill and learn to the difference between race and bigotry.
This is about as harmful to "race relations" as Eminem rapping, but hey, the PC police love soft targets. Don't go after actual racists organizing to brainwash kids and commit actual crimes against minorities and other ethnicities. Go after Kutcher and a potato chip commercial. Next, make sure to take down any African Americans that dress up like Santa Claus.
That was probably the worst commercial ever, but I don't see how any race is really singled out here. He appears to be making fun of Indians, Americans, and Europeans, all in one ad. I don't think there will be any stoners throwing their bongs in outrage, or "motorcycle club" bikers shanking Ashton Kutcher. This guy Anil Dash (who I presume is Indian, and is why he thinks he can speak on behalf of their nationality) is really giving his country a bad name.
Stop painting white people as sensitive, PC, non racist people. We're not. But that's ok because neither are black people, Hispanics, Asians, Indians, ect....
I always find it amusing when people take something that is as light hearted as this ad and turns it into something that it's not, insulting. I think is funny and surprising, especially in this day in age that people simply cannot take a joke. Even the smallest joke such as this one. What's even better is that the 'insult' is taken off of the character, Raj... yet if anyone was actually watching the video, they would've noticed the other characters as well that could have also been taken offensively as the 'insulting' character of Raj. I wonder if there was no tension between the US and the Middle East, would this still be considered an offensive ad? If people can't handle a joke, especially a commercial, maybe they should consider not watching television. It's a shame hat people can't get a small laugh without someone finding something insulting about it.
Please go look at a world map....India is not in the middle east.
India is not considered to be the Middle East... you must be an American by your lack of geography skills... don't worry I'm an American too (so it's ok right?), but you really aren't helping the stereotype.
All that's true,oh yea and you can't dance.
I personally did not think the Indian spot was in any way racist. But then again, I'm not of Indian descent so I really can't say that I have their sensibilities. So in the end, if prominent people in the Indian community feel that it crossed the line, then their feelings should be respected and the ad should be pulled. To me, that's what living in a diverse and tolerant society is all about: respect for the perspective of others.
too much to do about nothing. If you were offended by this ad, get a life.
I can't imagine Gandhi being offended. I think even Gandhi would buy Popchips after seeing this commercial!
The only offensive thing here is that PopChips assumed Ashton Kutcher would make anyone want to buy anything.
So....Kutcher makes fun of an American redneck, a Brit poser, a German egomaniac and an Indian on the make.
I've seen him funnier, I admit.....but where is the racism?
Yes, as an American redneck of German and English ancestry, I am horrified by the ad.
C'mon people, lighten up! It's not like they're trying to offend anyone. Sheesh!
Oh because NO comedian has ever portrayed white people and flavorless, dull, salad-eating, stuffy nerds with a giant sticks up their butts?
Never mind the offence to rednecks, fashionistas, or hippies... it's ok to stereotype them apparently.
I'm much more offended by the horrible acting.
Who cares, it was a funny ad.. Big deal.. Our society has become a bunch complainers and babies.. We live in a society thinking everything is racist. Then we have the media feeding off of the peoples complaints and then making it worse by exploiting it.
Anil Dash may not like the acting and may not thing the add is funny but it's not racist simply because Kutcher plays a different race. He'll have to play the race card someplace else.
I take offense to the stoner guy, unless the chips are laced.
*clap clap clap clap* well said... mind you I believe the WHOLE FLIPPIN' PLANET HAS ONE UP THEIRS!
Not sure what the big deal is. It's humorous and tasteful.
I didn't think it was particularly funny, but seriously, people...if a dumb actor wearing a fake moustache and doing a bad Indian accent in an advertisement for chips seriously gets you this riled up, seek help. Just another example of people actively seeking something to be "outraged" about.
Askton Kucher is a washed up hack who needs to go away.
I am going to go out and buy PopChips. I think the ad hysterical. It's comedy people!
That was a riot! Get a grip people. MB.