Dr T Non-Fan
02-18-2004, 06:28 PM
I laughed just reading it. I need to watch the Comedy Central telecast.
The Toronto businessman who spearheaded a drive to bring NBC's Conan O'Brien to Canada for a week of shows featuring Canadian-born talent has defended O'Brien against an avalanche of public outrage that ensued when Robert Smigel, in the guise of Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog, let loose with a series of barbs targeting French-speaking Quebecers. Peter Soumalias, founder of Canada's Walk of Fame told the Canadian Press wire service that he not only has no regrets about the bit but encouraged it. Soumalias said that some of O'Brien's writers did express concern about the material but that he assured them that Canada was mature enough to take it. As for protests by government figures about the skit, Soumalias said, "Government needs to stay out of the public airwaves. It's as simple as that." [Appearing with a "translator" (whose words appeared in English subtitles), O'Brien apologized on Tuesday night's show: O'Brien: "People of Quebec, I'm sorry." French translator: "People of Quebec, I'm an albino jackass." O'Brien: "We meant no harm with our comedy piece the other night." Translator: "The other night, I wet the bed like a little girl." O'Brien: "I was a stranger in a strange land and I was very insensitive." Translator: "I have a small penis." O'Brien: "Quebec, your lively and rich culture is a treasure to Canada, and your unique heritage deserves only praise, not ridicule." Translator: "I have never known the touch of a woman and I never will." O'Brien: "Again, please accept my heartfelt apologies." Translator: "Did I mention I have a small penis?"]
The Toronto businessman who spearheaded a drive to bring NBC's Conan O'Brien to Canada for a week of shows featuring Canadian-born talent has defended O'Brien against an avalanche of public outrage that ensued when Robert Smigel, in the guise of Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog, let loose with a series of barbs targeting French-speaking Quebecers. Peter Soumalias, founder of Canada's Walk of Fame told the Canadian Press wire service that he not only has no regrets about the bit but encouraged it. Soumalias said that some of O'Brien's writers did express concern about the material but that he assured them that Canada was mature enough to take it. As for protests by government figures about the skit, Soumalias said, "Government needs to stay out of the public airwaves. It's as simple as that." [Appearing with a "translator" (whose words appeared in English subtitles), O'Brien apologized on Tuesday night's show: O'Brien: "People of Quebec, I'm sorry." French translator: "People of Quebec, I'm an albino jackass." O'Brien: "We meant no harm with our comedy piece the other night." Translator: "The other night, I wet the bed like a little girl." O'Brien: "I was a stranger in a strange land and I was very insensitive." Translator: "I have a small penis." O'Brien: "Quebec, your lively and rich culture is a treasure to Canada, and your unique heritage deserves only praise, not ridicule." Translator: "I have never known the touch of a woman and I never will." O'Brien: "Again, please accept my heartfelt apologies." Translator: "Did I mention I have a small penis?"]