Jive Talkin'

The Jackson Jive – Australia’s hottest new, racially intolerant touring ensemble…

I confess amazement at the furore that the “Jackson Jive” skit, performed on “Hey Hey its Saturday”, generated in international media. In keeping with this hysterical reaction, I’m throwing in my two cents.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmaF7Pys7OI

My initial response, was that it was mildly amusing; due to, I suppose, the ridiculous presentation. My initial thoughts were not (consciously) “race”; I probably found it slightly more entertaining than several other “red faces” skits I’d wasted my life on over the years – which is not saying a huge amount...

When Harry Connick Jr, the guest judge, reacted the way he did, his remarks momentarily suspended my indolence and I reconsidered the act for a moment (through Harry’s eyes). I figure his objections were within reason and certainly somewhat courageous, on reflection.

The easy thing for him to do would be to toe the line, cringe through it and make a dull joke. But that’s not what he believed and so he stood up and said something. It’s bulltalk to say it was a publicity stunt. He was genuine and I admire him speaking his mind.

And then the whole affair became a media event. If this happened twenty years ago when this skit won red faces (which, is, I think, entirely possible had the “wrong person” been in the judge’s seat), I suspect the whole matter would have “contained” in the moment and any follow-on ruckus neutralised by the apologies that were offered at the time. This reveals the true star in this story – namely, viral video, and the way it perpetuates news in contemporary media.

Rather than bang on about the influence of video, and viral communication though, I’ll focus this blog on the hot issue, which is “blackface” and racism – in the context of an otherwise very innocent, benign skit.

There are good arguments on both sides.

The taboo behind “blackface” in a performance context, is an antiquated but significant symbol of an important resolution in race relations. It is fair to say it was most prominent / significant in America. You can learn more about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface

When you understand the tradition of “Blackface” a bit better, you can certainly see how the Jackson Jive’s little piece may be interpreted as the regressive resumption of a dead gimmick. And why Harry Connick Jr, raised in New Orleans, in the African-American jazz tradition with many of his close friends and colleagues African American performers - puckered.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with what Harry Connick Jr said – he was right of course, and his sensitivity is understandable. He felt it was out of order and he was true to his internal litmus. Aussie’s shouldn’t get so touchy just because someone expresses an opinion that may run against the common grain. That’s where we show our own immaturity.

However, there was nothing much wrong with the skit, in my view – for the reason that it lacked the necessary ingredients of intent and general awareness which I feel must distinguish racism from everyday insensitivity. It was a classic example of ignorance and misunderstanding.

In defence of the show, I would argue the vast majority of the Australian population has no reference point for the true political significance of this issue. To most, this was a pretty harmless little skit that did not say anything really controversial. That’s my personal view.

It’s also my view that this in itself evinces an embarrassing lack of education. Perhaps if more historical subject matter was taught at school level, it would be reasonable to argue that we should “know better”. I do believe that the amount of history taught at school level is deficient. Learning about the modern history of the world we live in is vital, for not only understanding our fellow man and the different paths nations have walked – but also, because it gives perspective.

Notwithstanding this, I studied history all through school and can’t ever recall bracing this particular issue…

My only personal awareness of “blackface” can be traced back to my remembering the decision to delete the “golliwog” character from Enid Blyton’s “Noddy” books – which I had read the print off as a tot. I remember when that decision was made in the 90’s thinking it was PC gone mad. Of course, “Golliwog” was a relic from the blackface tradition too, and it makes a bit more sense now, why they wanted to bury that character…

However, we do have to beware the political correctness illusion - particularly when it comes to comedy. It is vital we retain the ability to laugh at ourselves. Especially as Australians – we have much to laugh about, and we needn’t get so anxious for others to like us and our culture that we lose our sense of humour and can’t be criticised and jibed. Likewise the Americans, the Brits - everyone.

One of my favourite all time comics, is American, Don Rickles. Although commonly referred to as an “insult comic”, the tag is something of a misnomer, because there was a virtuosity in his venom. Check out his “roast” of Sammy Davis Jr here, for a sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUcEQvU6LPE

In the context of this debate, this particular clip with Sammy Davis is very interesting.
It shows the great spirit this era of entertainers approached performance with and their great ability to laugh at themselves. A modern audience may be shocked at how “cutting” some of the humour was. But it was so very clever – and it was not malicious. It is so important we retain something of this. Skin colour and ethnicity is not important – which is the very reason it should be joked about – in the right spirit. Laughter and good humour is vital…

Other little observations of the Jive circus:

I noticed John Blackman, the V/O man and the best comedian in the “Hey Hey” outfit for mine, utters under his breath “uh – oh” almost as the act is introduced. A gut instinct that perfectly predicted the “sh1tstorm” to follow…

I think the timing of the skit in the wake of Jackson’s death may have been a trifling poor in taste, but in another way, it was these guys quirky expression of their love for the music…
Poor Jacki McDonald, the other co judge, was reluctant to even be involved in the show’s reunion and declined an earlier invitation. She has now found herself painted as the airy, “ignorant Australian”…

But finally, I would argue that one of the charming things about “Hey Hey…” is its “moments of purity”. It’s stumbles and its politically incorrect moments. There is vastly more patronising and offensive material on television than this. Satire and comedy is an important leveller and political correctness (PC) must be tempered, if not flattened, or we all run the risk of talkin’ nothing but jive.

End of an Era? Definitely Maybe.

One of the first groups I got into as a pre-pubescent 12 year old, was Oasis. It fell somewhere between the outro of the “Definitely Maybe” album and the curtain call for “What’s the Story Moring Glory” – which really broke, in Australia, in 1996 - my first year in high school.

I was a big fan. Oasis was mega in 1996. It was almost a cliché, of course, to be a fan of Oasis in 1996...

Run forward several years and I find myself working with a band called “Royal Engineers”, which some of my good friends have formed. Great musicians and artists. They had an “oasis like” sound - which they got criticised for , frequently (and unreasonably, in my opinion).

Big, swarming guitars. Psychedelic in parts. And the rock n roll lifestyle and ethos to match… They were one of the better and more important rock bands to arrive in the Brisbane music scene circa 2004 / 2005 – without a doubt (in my biased view).

We listened to Oasis a lot through those lively years, too, of course…

The other week I heard Noel left Oasis and they broke up. Oasis have been producing awesome rock n roll (and great music for that matter), for a good while. I suppose it was time. I guess the natural thought is that Noel will come into his own and Liam may suffer. But who knows...

The important thing is the band's musical legacy - some great, GREAT, rock n roll.

I saw them in 2005, with some of the Royal Engineers, in fact. It was a very fun night.
“Definitely Maybe” is still one album I play all the time.

If I ever need a “lift” before a night out or something, I'll drop on “Definitely Maybe”. I'm still mad fer it.