On Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 10:22 PM, Trevor Trevor <[email protected]> wrote:
> I enjoyed the episode of Family Guy that featured the song they're > complaining about. I always took the song as making fun of the > stereotypes about Down Syndrome, rather than making fun of people with > Down Syndrome. > > http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2010/08/27/down-syndrome-girl-emmy.html > I think we talked about this a bit when the episode aired. I paste the hulu link for the excerpt with the song, and the lyrics, below. There are lots of people who will be offended by this song (though if you can't appreciate a lyric like: "And though her pretty face may seem, A special person's wettest dream," or "On any normal day you reek; As if you're on a farting streak", then maybe that's a sign you shouldn't be choosing to watch a program like "Family Guy" in the first place) - but I think those with Down's Syndrome will be somewhere near the end of a long line. I think the CBC article does a good job or presenting the two possible views on this; one by the woman from the organization of those advocates for DS that are complaining (she said "Certain subjects should be "off limits, even to a show like *Family Guy* that makes fun of everything") and the one by the spokesperson for another Down's Syndrome advocacy group, who said: "By being included and, as everyone is in *Family Guy*, being made fun of, some people feel it's being inclusive". I agree with the latter of course, but that is a matter of personal taste. But the implied assertion by the critics that watching this song increases negative attitudes towards people with DS is, I think unlikely to be true. That is an empirical assertion, and I think the burden is on those who are making it to demonstrate that it is valid. http://www.hulu.com/watch/128019/family-guy-down-syndrome-girl "You've got to look your best tonight, You tubby little parasite, Cause there's a lovely lady and she's waiting for you. And though her pretty face may seem, A special person's wettest dream, Before you get to see it there are things you must do. We'll try, a tie, And boutonnière of yellow, Or a rose, that shows, That you're a classy fellow, With the posh, panache, Of Jefferson at Monticello, Busting out a mile with style. I know you just can't wait to stare, At all that luscious orange hair, But boy before you touch a single curl, You must impress that ultra-boomin', All-consumin', Poorly-groomin' Down syndrome girl. On any normal day you reek, As if you're on a farting streak, Your finger's up your nose and you are dripping with drool. But if you want a lady's love, You're better off by smelling of, A gentlemen's collogne instead of sneakers and stool. A squirt, a spurt, Of something just for Ellen, And you'll see, that she, Will find you so compelin', And she does, because, The only smell that she'll be smellin', Won't be coming from your bum. You wanna take that little whore, And spin her on the dancing floor, But boy before you do a single twirl, You must impress that effervescing, Self-possesing, no-BS-ing, Down syndrome girl. Her eyes are emerald portals, To a secret land of love, And her smile is like the sweetest summer flower... Her kiss is so inviting, And her hugs are so delighting... And what makes them really nice, Is that they've got a little spice, Because they're tighter than a vice, And they go on for an hour. *[Stewie and Chris tap dance]* My boy between the two of us, We'll get you on that shorty bus, And then you're gonna take it for a whirl. Now go impress that super-thrilling Wish-fulfilling, Yoo-Hoo spilling, Ultra-swinging, boner-bringing, Gaily singing, dingalinging, Stupefying, fortifying, As of Monday, shoelace tying, Stimulating, titillating, Kitty-cat impersonating, Mega-rocking, pillow-talking, Just a little crooked walking, Coyly pouting, booby-sprouting, For some reason always shouting, Fascinating, captivating, Happiness and joy creating..." -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
