SNL Weekend Update’s Take on the Asian American Version of The Jersey Shore

By John | Sunday, April 11, 2010 | 7 Comments

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The last time I blogged about Saturday Night Live, I made a comment regarding their portrayal of Asian American men; this past weekend, SNL’s Weekend Update briefly mentioned that producers were in the process of casting for an Asian American version of Jersey Shore, where Seth Meyers wondered how successful the show was going to be with “their version of Snooki.” At least SNL is an equal opportunity offender when it comes to reinforcing Asian American stereotypes.

Having never watched an episode of Jersey Shore and only briefly know what the reality TV show is all about, I’ve heard of Snooki but have no idea who she is really, except that she’s not all that bright from the brief glimpse of her I saw when she was on Jay Leno with some fellow cast members. But I guess the show itself has generated its share of controversy in how it depicts Italian Americans as well; l I’m sure the Asian American version of Jersey Shore will no doubt do the same.

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http://www.littleyellowdifferent.com ErnieAtLYD

For the record: if and when there IS an Asian American version of Jersey Shore, I for one will celebrate that shit. Hell, we got a track record for doing so.
DinoRay

Hmmmm. The more that I think about this, the more curious I get – is that a bad thing?
xxxtine

I can see the cast of characters now … one will have to have their hair dyed blonde w/ grey contact circle lenses, another would look like someone out of a visual kei band or anime and jingle everywhere he goes. Another would think/ act like he’s a gangster, but really is the son of a doctor. We have to have a DJ somewhere in there, even better if it’s a female. And then to really shake things up, put an activist in the mix. Gosh, someone hire me to cast!

Personally I think it may be a better show, if we can show that Asians do have fun, get in trouble, make mistakes AND still be contributing members of society, it just may be the ultimate model for people to aspire to. I’m with Ernie and will be watching while slurping my ramen.
philhead

xxxtine wants a boring show. don’t worry, you’ll get it
8asiansphil

how about the dancer or singer whose parents don’t support them and want them to become doctors? or the one who secretly attends Stanford or Harvard, but isn’t really enrolled and is only there so they can tell their parents they actually got into a good University.
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http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ZEXGOXRQNRAP724NWRZ7POTR54 Blipblopblapbloobybloo

Why does it have to be an “asian-american version of JERSEY SHORE”? I noticed that asian-americans needed a reality show 20 years ago when MTV kept refusing to cast asian males. Asian females were totally acceptable but asian males were shunned like the plague unless he was the gay boyfriend of one of the white castmembers.

Now 20 years later this show is being touted as a Jersey Shore alternative version as if asian-americans have no original thought and have to copy. It’s also pathetic that so many people are more concerned about showing how we’re not nerds and we can get just as stupid, slutty, and gangsta as everyone else. Thing is, even though asian-americans see themselves as “model minorities”, Hollywood never has. Asian women ARE portrayed as sluts. Asian men ARE portrayed as illegal immigrant gangstas who smuggle over drugs and prostitutes and wear out their welcome in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Ever wonder why an asian male is rarely seen in a positive heroic role in a movie? Because AMERICA doesn’t see us that way.

The only reason Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee got to play lead parts is because white men hadn’t figured out their moves yet. But as soon as they finished up getting their black belts at their local mcdojo and they figured they could get away with cgi and wired kung fu, white men quickly replaced asian men in the martial art lead roles. Even when Jackie Chan starred in an American movie, it wasn’t really a Jackie Chan movie. It was more of a Chris Tucker with guest Jackie Chan movie. And to counter any positive progress that Jackie Chan may build, the producers made sure to fill up the villain roles with …… you guessed it, ASIAN MEN. If Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker go to Los Angeles, the villains were ASIAN MEN. If Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker go to New York, the villains were ASIAN MEN. Hell, if Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker go to friggin PARIS, the villains are again, somehow, ASIAN MEN. Even when Jackie Chan is set in the ol’ 1800s of America with Owen Wilson, the villains are …. (drum roll)….. ASIAN MEN.

So, don’t worry, all you insecure nerds out there, Hollywood has never viewed Asian men or even asian women as “model minorities”.

8 Asians