Dumb and Dumber
I used to love Eddie Murphy. Back in the day on SNL, he was so hot and so bright, he practically glowed with talent. Buckwheat, Gumby, Mr Robinson’s Neighborhood, James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party. I thought everything he did was comedic gold.
Loved Delirious, wasn’t as crazy about Raw — the misogyny and anger was too close to the surface even for me, and I’m not the only one who sees it as a turning point in his career. Even Eddie feels that way, in this Essence interview he says: “I was 22 when I did Delirious. I was 25 when I did Raw. I was a kid… I can’t even watch Raw now. When I see where my head was, when I look at myself at 25, it’s like, ‘Damn, I was tripping.‘”
Eddie Murphy’s older films are straight-up classics. 48 Hrs. Trading Places. Coming to America. I can watch those movies over and over again. I think the last Eddie Murphy movie I really enjoyed (Shrek excluded) was Bowfinger. Seriously, I thought that movie was hilarious.
I’m dying to see him in Dreamgirls, and I was so proud that he won a Golden Globe. Fingers crossed that he wins an Oscar.
I seriously hope that receiving that prestigious gold statue that has eluded so many equally talented African American actors and actresses, will serve as a wake-up call to Eddie Murphy.
Hopefully then he will stop wasting his talent on crap like Norbit.
Somewhere along the way (most definitely after Party All the Time), Eddie Murphy started believing his own hype, and settled into a safe zone of comedies that pander to a family audience (Daddy Day Care, The Haunted Mansion, Dr. Dolittle) or perpetuate the most ancient stereotypes.
This time around, he’s not just reveling in the Mammy stereotype, he’s adding a touch of oversexed Jezebel in there too. But why stop at offending black women? Why not also piss off overweight people, and put on yellowface?
I don’t get the comedian in a dress shtick. I didn’t even like Mrs. Doubtfire. But I’ve noticed the trend here, and I have to agree with Jenice Armstrong in asking — what’s so funny about a black man dressed as a fat black woman?
I don’t predict that Norbit will be number one at the box office, but it’ll probably make the top five. It’ll sell like hot cakes on the bootleg market. And that will be enough for Hollywood to invest in another one of these hackneyed, weary, dumbed-down laffapaloozas aimed squarely at an “urban” audience. If Eddie doesn’t want to do it, there are other black comedians waiting in the wings to slip on the fat suit and don the wig.
But I’m wondering if I’m the one with a humor chip missing, because based on the comments on one of my favorite websites, Concrete Loop, people actually want to see this film much to my surprise.
What do you bellas and fellas think?
Category: Issues
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White Chicks was a STUPID movie. The only reason I watched it was because I had to…it was shown in an African-American lit/crit class I was taking. I still haven’t forgiven the Wayans brothers for what they did to Macy Gray back when they hosted one of the MTV awards shows (I forget which one). I know I’m not the only one who saw that shit.
Yes, the man-in-drag stereotype has been used plenty of times, for many many years. That’s the POINT, people. It’s old and it’s tired. And especially in this day and age where people seem to ONLY be capable of taking things at face value, this particular movie WILL add to the pain and insecurity that a lot of black women feel.
And I wasn’t going to say it in my original post, but I’m glad the petition called out the fact that the love interest is played by someone who’s thin and biracial. Rather than attacking lighter-skinned sisters, though, ALL of us women, light and dark, should band together to challenge the ways in which men of all colors reuse and reinforce these hurtful and damaging images of women.
I cannot understand how someone of Eddie Murphy’s talent couldn’t come up with something better and more original…unless it’s all about the money, which it probably is. He’s not the only black artist to trash his people for cash. I refuse to participate.
Bygbaby, you keep saying black women need to protect their image. What do you think we are trying to do here?
You keep saying it’s not that serious. Well to me and several black women here it is, especially since this image is being put out by a man, a black man. The large woman isn’t an actress; it’s Eddie in a fat suit.
I am offended by some of the generalized representation of women. However, as a black woman, I am extremely critical of portrayals of black women. I am however lax to take up the cause for other races of women unless it is an extreme case. Know why? In their culture, they have defenders, in black people they have defenders. Do black women have that?
If there were more roles, I would probably be less critical. But when one of the few black men with this kind of power (to come up with a concept, film it, and get distribution) comes out with this tripe, now several times what does that say?
People are influenced by the media for better or for worse. Why do you think so many groups are effective at getting certain images banned from the airwaves. Why do you think it’s only blacks that allow and actually defend such images? I’m tired of the double standard where black men bitch or cry about their representation in the media then tell black women to ignore or stop being so sensitive about their image.
Racism is changing. Now whites don’t have to do minstrel shows and get charged as racist. They can just hire blacks to do it or fund blacks who do. Guess who bears the brunt of these images? Those of us who aren’t living in Beverly Hills or running around at Sundance or being nominated for Oscars.
@lulu
Full figured, fat, big boned, thick women are NOT degrading. I would never attack big women. HOWEVER, having a full figured, black woman on a poster with her a-s-s sticking out in a scantilly clad outfit on top of a petrified, skinny black man IS degrading. How do you not see that? If you don’t judge – good. I do. That’s my choice. I’m not Jesus. I’m just me. I probably wouldn’t be so disturbed with these images if we had 10 posters of full-figured black women in a positve light next to this mess. But we don’t. And If I follow your logic – comedy makes everything ok. We should all just sit back and not judge. So, glad our ancestors didn’t feel the same.
if there was balance in the images of Black women then an Eddie Murphy movie would be cool, but that is not how it is. it also makes me feel that a truly talented person would be able to get asses in seats doing other things, instead of repeating the same old formula. this is not just a Black woman issue either, Asian women are totally disrespected in the media as are Latin. it’s just depressing all the way around.
I agree with your last comment Coffy. As for Monica all of your points have just been clouded by the fact that you are ingnorant. So I guess if “I follow your logic” it would be okay to judge because I’m not Jesus. Something tells me that you are just full of air. If this is that important to you start a petition against the movie and images such as this right now. What are you going to do about it but rant? People can say how much they hate this until the clouds fall down but no one will do anything about it. The bottom line is whenever I have kids, it will be my responsibility to show them positive examples of Black women. I can’t rely on Eddie Murphy to do this when he is about surviving in a money hungry industry. I’m sure when the movie comes out on DVD I will rent it, and laugh at it because my parents have surrounded me with positive images of Black women. Sometimes they literally beat me over my head about my history. My mentor would always try to explain to me that perception is reality and I would always tell her different, but I guess now, out of all situations, that phrase is true.
to: RaineyCane
So, your post wasn’t a rant? If you’re raising your children responsibly – great. That’s what you’re supposed to do. But I can’t give you a sticker or a twinkie. Oh, your rant was purely a judgement against Monica’s opinions. So, you’ve already answered your own question which is: “So I guess if “I follow your logic†it would be okay to judge because I’m not Jesus.” Monica didn’t say judging was right or wrong. You said that. You obviously think it’s ok to judge other people based on your rant against her OPINIONS. So, let’s apply YOUR interpretation of the logic. ***** RaineyCane judges, because she’s not Jesus and THINKS IT’S OK TO DO SO. Love this blog, my sistahs AND brothas. Black love always!
@Monica
I totally agree on everything you said about the MEDIA. MEDIA is power, and the images that our people are continuing to put out there to degrade and stereotype us is sickening. we need more positive images and that poster simply sends the message that larger sized brown women are sexually undesireable and should be ran away from. It will chop away at the self esteem of so many “real size ” women and young girls out there because our men and white America learn from these stupid images that they are fed. Black women are portrayed alot as either not desired or booty shaking whores….. nothing in between.Can we please have more images of us being respected, loved, and adored??? It’s not just a Black thing either.The media has literally made “real size” people invisible as a whole in society.It sends the message “Be a size -0 in order to be adored”. Okay, enough of my ranting tonight
I discovered this site tonight and I am a fella.
Okay instead of repeating the same thing, I basically agree with Coffy, babyblue, lulu, and RaineyCane. I guess it funny to me because like someone stated earlier why the rant if nothing is going to be done about it? Also I find it hypocritical that the post above this one about ‘Moisturizing Your Situation’ features a depiction of a BLACK MALE as crack head…wtf? All you logicalist (ha) have to explain that one to me.
DaSouth, you make a valid point about my photo of Dave Chappelle as Tyrone Biggums. I was merely using the photo to illustrate the weather’s effect on my lips, but I see what you mean. That too is a negative stereotype.
I wonder if the “new”, more socially conscious Dave would still play a character like that. Look, I have a pretty ribald sense of humor, I’m just very sensitive to stereotypes. It’s like the difference between Chappelle’s Show and Mind of Mencia — subtlety versus crassness. There’s absolutely nothing new about this film, it’s just a sad old retread of a lame concept.
I am just saying, I would like to see Eddie Murphy use his Hollywood clout to make a really out of the box, intelligent black comedy for a change. To get back to projects like Boomerang instead of this mess. Or to even do what Jim Carrey has done, and make something totally out there, like an Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with a black love story. I just want to be surprised instead of disappointed again.
Thanks Kelly & Sheila. Couldn’t have said it any better than what you wrote.
@lulu & Dasouth – your assumption is false. I’m doing something about this issue.
Just boycott the movie and spread the word about it being lame and distasteful. Simple. Don’t support CRAPPY MOVIES!
to be pefectly honest, I think being overweight is offensive. I think physical fitness is a choice. so being “overweight” is a poor choice.
@realtalk, that was really one opinion you should have kept to yourself. No one chooses to be overweight.
Realtalk, you are entitled to your opinion, but that has nothing to do with the discussion of Norbit being an offensive film that revels in negative stereotypes.
When I saw the trailer for this a few months ago I groaned. I am so tired of seeing grown black men dress up in the fat suit and bash black women in the name of comedy.
All I can say is wow!! I think that the real issue is that so many black women actually pay attention to any of this. If you feel like this is a portrayal of you then maybe you personally have a few issues. I see myself as a beautiful, successful, highly intelligent and vibrant black woman. These images have no affect on my self image or that of anyone else who truly does not represent this stereotype. Anyone can take any comedic character from a movie and find someone that will feel as if they are being picked on but does it really matter when there are other more important issues like the children who are reading at a 3rd grade level when they graduate from high school? If it offends you don’t watch it. What a simple solution imagine that?!!
i’ve never heard the tactic of “ignoring it” being effective, why ignore what you could change.
I’m not sure where we ever got the notion that if we ignore negative stereotypes, they won’t affect us. I’m pret-ty sure that people are disgusted by the portrayal of our women to OTHER PEOPLE moreso than how we look to each other (though that’s important too). Sure, I know that my wife and daughter are vibrant, beautiful, intelligent women, but does Mr. *ahem* Charles assume that’s the case when they interview for a job? Or does he assume my wife will chase men around the office with her ginormous boobs? What if a Black boy gets lynched in Mississippi because of the stereotype (furthered in ‘Birth of a Nation’) that he REALLY wants to rape white women? Stereotypes do tend to matter at that point, right?
As soon as I saw that commerical I thought how degrading to women. You don’t have to be a color to it. How dare Eddie Murphy do that. He must doesn’t respect women in general to me. Someone mention Mrs. Doubtfire, I feel that’s different. In the movie, I feel they weren’t making fun of Mrs. Doubtfire. He did that to me with his children. He just went thru extremes. Someone needs to put an end to this. Maybe one day Oprah will talk about it on her show. She usually brings up things like that.
i can’t believe this is the number one movie in Amercia,sad.
I do not plan to see Norbit, based on the trailer and the advertisement for the movie. There seems to be a trend among black male actors, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Tyler Perry, to dress in women’s clothes and portray black women as fat, loud, and obxious. Even some black actresses have fallen into that trap -think Queen Latifah in Bringing Down the House and Monique in Phat Girls. Anyone who doesn’t see that black women are being stereotyped in a negative manner is just plain blind. The said fact is that much of the stereotyping is being done by our own kind. If I recall correctly, Latifah was one of the producers of Bringing Down The House, a movie that stuffed as many negatives in two hours as it possibly could. Eddie Murphy was one of the writers for Norbit.
If a black woman is not being portrayed as fat and loud, then she is sharp tongued, confrontational, and has a lot of mouth. Think Wanda at Large, the woman on the Pine Sol commercial, and the one on Phillips Milk of Magnesia. I remember seeing a commercial for Wal Mart – a group of black women who had formed a book club. All were big. It is so ridiculously one sided and what is even more unfortunate is that a lot of black people have accepted and internalized the stereotype of the overweight black women. Especially at a time when the news is filled with medical information about health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer that can result from obesity.
I agree with BabyBlue
I find Norbit quite amusing, of course not Mr Murphys best work by far. What I find way funnier than the movie is that people complain about what type of movies are out now, and in the same breath complain about how there are not enough roles for black actors/actresses. A movie is a movie is a movie. In the movie business like every other business there are projects that many will not agree with. But to stay on top (or close to the top) they are done and at the end of the day if Eddie Murphy can look at him self in the mirror and be ok than that’s all about him. Now if the message in the movie is something YOU do not agree with, don’t support it. If you already have than be mad and get over it. It’s not like he did the movie based on a specific individual (mainly YOU) that he wanted to mock and piss off. Yes I agree it was a little stupid yet funny, and at the end of the day most people know someone who is like the female character in the movie. A shame I know… (LOL)