# What a good idea! Let's visit a country and tape a show that insults its populace. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 13, 2004, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018 "2004-02-13T09:04:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/241 "2004-02-17T06:21:07Z")
Someone made the wise decision in airing a repeat of Conan with a Triumph bit, in which he calls Hawaii a “Big Pussy”. Triumph was in Hawaii at the ‘American Idol’ auditions, but got kicked out. Hew was invited to be in the news room at the 11:00 news. He mocked Hawaii most of the time, and It was pretty hilarious. The crowd loved it, similar to the crowd reaction in Canada. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/242 "2004-02-18T08:42:53Z")
Ultimately the butt of Triumph’s jokes is hack comedians. This is a good thing to remember and conspicuously missing from the debate here and in the media. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/243 "2004-02-18T08:49:19Z")
As long as the thread is being bumped, from [canoe.ca](http://www.canoe.ca/Television/feb18_conan-sun.html): > [@](#): > > After performing his usual monologue, O’Brien began his apology with the help of an interpreter who “translated” his comments into French: > > O’BRIEN: “People of Quebec, I’m sorry.” > > 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?” _That_ is funny. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/244 "2004-02-18T12:59:17Z")
Thank you **matt\_mcl** ; I was in the other room when they started the translator bit and by the time I was able to get to where I could see the TV I’d missed most of it. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/245 "2004-02-18T14:41:38Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > _That_ is funny. 😃 You sure that wasn’t a subtle bit of mocking? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![malden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@malden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malden)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/246 "2004-02-18T17:51:55Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > _That_ is funny. 😃 Not if you’re an [albino jackass](http://www.korrak.com/animals/pages/animal1.htm)! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/247 "2004-02-18T18:11:36Z")
That ass was pure class. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/248 "2004-02-18T18:14:02Z")
Yeah, but at least this albino jackass can comfort himself with the fact that _he_ has known the touch of a woman. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/249 "2004-02-18T21:09:28Z")
> [@jovan](#): > > Yeah, but at least this albino jackass can comfort himself with the fact that _he_ has known the touch of a woman. That apology gives me even more respect for Conan. His humor is constantly self-deprecating, although often in a very macho fashion: one of his regular schticks is to lick his fingers and slick back his eyebrows while giving the camera his best come-hither stare. The joke is that he (or, rather, the character he plays) thinks spittled eyebrows are sexy. That’s how his humor works. Given that, you gotta watch all his characters that way. Triumph’s joke isn’t that he’s calling people names; it’s that he’s such a loudmouth jerk about it. Anyway, that apology, along with the cruel French mockery of him, struck exactly the right note IMO. Those without a sense of humor can take it as an apology; those with a sense of humor can take it as a continuation of the joke. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/250 "2004-02-18T23:28:54Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > _That_ is funny. 😃 And _that_ is ironic and telling. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Wabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wabbit)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/251 "2004-02-19T01:22:13Z")
> [@leander](#): > > And _that_ is ironic and telling. :rolleyes: Agreed. You see, if I was an Anglo with no sense of humor I’d probably be offended that some French-speaker said I had a small penis but **SINCE I CAN TAKE A JOKE** it’s actually very funny. ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/252 "2004-02-19T01:36:27Z")
> [@Aldebaran](#): > > Well… In any case it escapes me why insulting people is perceived to be “funny” and witty". > To me insulting people intentionally - or not even knowing that you insult, which is forgivable - shows an obvious lack of any decent upbringing. > > How on earth can such behaviour then be “witty” or funny" to witness? Well, considering how often **Aldebaran** that you personally have gone out of your way these last 12 months to paint some astonishingly broad brushstrokes about pre-conceived prejudices held by Americans towards people of your faith, all I can say is this… have ya got a mirror there mate? Take a good long look in it before you open your mouth again. What’s the old saying? Do as I say, not as I do? ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018/253 "2004-02-19T08:23:48Z")
> [@Wabbit](#): > > Agreed. You see, if I was an Anglo with no sense of humor I’d probably be offended that some French-speaker said I had a small penis but **SINCE I CAN TAKE A JOKE** it’s actually very funny. Actually, if I were an anglo (or anyone else) with no sense of humour, I probably wouldn’t have _written a gag_ in which an actor _I hired for the purpose_ mocks me in French _on my own TV show_, but that’s just me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-good-idea-lets-visit-a-country-and-tape-a-show-that-insults-its-populace/229018.md?page=12)