…and I don’t know whether to be proud or ashamed of that.
Let me ’splain.
Bobby Lee is one of the most prominent Asian comedians since Margaret Cho. His roles on MadTV have made him quite popular on TV and the internet. There’s a lot more to him, but that’s good for a brief overview.
As one who notices the under-representation of Asians in popular culture, I’m very happy to see him around. Plus his skits are hilariously over-the-top. He isn’t afraid to do it all, from acting as women to being totally naked.
This comes to the other side of the coin. Because of his over-the-top antics, it makes me wonder if he is portraying Asians in a bad light; performing a sort of dog and pony show to reach some acclaim.
But isn’t it ok if it is an Asian making fun of himself/his own race? He has the individual right to do as he wishes.
In someway, this reminds me of the Blaxploitation genre. (I will tip my hand and say that tomorrow’s 90 Seconds to Culture update is about Blaxploitation.) Black filmmakers made films with exaggerated Black stereotypes as main characters: pimps, drug dealers, and more.
It seems funny to me: On one hand it seems as though minorities can take control of how they are portrayed, giving them power; on the other hand, if these portrayals are all silly or negative what does this imply about this race, or even entertainment in general?
For the most part, I just enjoy these antics without too much thought. I watched “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” at least two times, and loved it. And I still watch Bobby Lee with glee (nice rhyme).
Here is a surprisingly accurate parody of a Korean drama (soap opera) with Bobby Lee.
So what do you think? Bobby Lee, Blaxploitation, and more. What does it imply? Do you like them? Lay it all over me.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think Bobby Lee’s antics will be interpreted differently by different people. To me it depends on whether the people watching Bobby Lee have Asian friends in particular, or at least some other exposure to Asian culture outside of TV. Those who have Asian friends are probably less likely to take anything Bobby Lee says or does seriously. I’m more concerned about the people watching Bobby Lee who do not associate with Asians at all. Would Bobby Lee reflect well on Asians to those people? Probably not, but to be honest I don’t think much of it now. I used to be pretty passionate about the subject of Asian stereotypes, but lately I’ve just stopped caring about how other people see me or Asian culture, in part because as you alluded to, the individuality factor is huge and confounding. I’ll PM you once I get on holiday break with more thoughts.
I’d love to hear what you have to say once you get back.
To be honest, it does actively bother me, but every once in a while I get a very Sartre-esque self-consciousness (yeah I said it.)