Buffoon of the Week Staff
Disney’s streaming service, Disney Plus, just slapped a content warning on certain episodes of The Muppet Show, leading viewers to believe that it contains harmful and offensive content.
Disney Plus has this content disclaimer to 18 episodes of “The Muppet Show” that started streaming last Friday:
“This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Rather than remove the content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn form it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect rhe rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.”
It goes on from there, but you get the idea.
Disney Plus also added disclaimers to “Swiss Family Robinson”, “Dumbo,” “Peter Pan,” “The Aristocats, “and other animated films.
Disney does not say exactly what it considers to be offensive on The Muppet Show. But, we can surmise that it has to do with the portrayal of minorities in some instances. Also, legendary country singer Johnny Cash does perform in front of a Confederate flag in season five of the show.
Our Take…
Can we not make choices for ourselves and our families anymore? Most of us grew up on shows like The Muppet Show and, for the most part, grew into responsible adults. Are the Muppets so much of a threat to society?
While we can understand the impact of negative ethnic stereotypes, it is downright sad how much to think about how much film and culture is lost when you tip-toe around human nature. We’re with Mel Brooks on this one:
‘Comedy is the lecherous little elf whispering in the king’s ear, always telling the truth about human behavior.’”
– Mel Brooks
If you believe that America is a melting pot, then there is no shame in laughing at our differences. We come from a multitude of backgrounds and heritages. We keep many different religious beliefs and political views. As with all aspects of society, these diverse traits that make up our nation reveal themselves through our learned tendencies. Some of which are very funny!
Shutting our eyes , or instilling a bias in someone before viewing does not spark conversation, as Disney plans. It stifles it. Let us watch and listen without prejudice and let us draw our own conclusions.
Instead, Disney joins Coca-Cola as yet another example of how corporate America has bowed to “cancel culture” and hyper-progressivism.
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