Responding to criticism over insults hurled at French-Canadians on his show last week, Conan O'Brien apologized last night:
- "People of Quebec, I'm sorry," the host of NBC's "Late Night" show said in English, as a translator recited in French, with English subtitles, "People of Quebec, I'm an albino jackass."
"We meant no harm with our comedy piece the other night," O'Brien continued, "translated" into French as: "The other night, I wet the bed like a little girl."
"I was a stranger in a strange land and I was very insensitive," he went on, with the subtitle: "I have a small penis."
The tongue-in-cheek mea culpa was delivered by O'Brien after his usual monologue during the taping of Tuesday night's show in New York. [Reuters]
Conan can get away with a lot because he's always hardest on himself, and he's weird looking.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Mark Saleski
"Are you separatists? Listen carefully: Do you hear that? It's the sound of nobody giving a sheeet!"
sorry, it may be a sensitive issue but that made me laugh out loud.
(uh oh, maybe i'm a racist!)
2 - Jim Carruthers
The biggest problem with the bit is that it wasn't funny, and was profoundly ignorant of Quebecois, who do a superior job of making fun of themselves with the likes of Elvis Gratton and Les Bougons.
Also Triumph is stolen from Ed the Sock, with the difference that Ed is occasionally funny. In Quebec, the reaction was "what do you expect from people from the States?"
3 - TDavid
It's comments like this from French-speaking Canadians that annoy even the non-French Canadian people: In Quebec, the reaction was "what do you expect from people from the States?"
My sister married a nice Canadian gentleman and they live north of us in Langley. I have no problem with Canada and the Canadian people in general, but I do have a problem with the arrogant French-Canadians in Montreal and Quebec when they say stuff like this.
I'm sure there are some non asshole people in Montreal and Quebec, but people like this should just take a long walk off a short pier. They need a serious history lesson.
"The States" have done a lot for Canada over the years and if the chips were down "The States" would have their backs in a heartbeat. France (which I realize is not Canada) through history has not been the strongest from a military support standpoint.
Without "The States" help it might be interesting to know what would have happened to France in World War II.
4 - mike
I've been in Quebec, both Montreal and Quebec City, and the French thing seems kind of creepy, with all the petty regs about size of English signs and stuff. Even France isn't that bad, from my experience there also.
I read in the Globe and Mail years ago that many Jews were leaving the province because the French First stuff had obvious historical echoes.
I'd love to move to Canada to get away from Bush, but I don't think I'd go to Quebec. Although Montreal is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to.
By the way, Carruthers, what's going on with the Liberals and that scandal? Don't tell me that new Conservative Party is going to come to power. That would be too much to bear.
5 - Mark Saleski
i've never been to Quebec City.
i've been to Jackman, Maine though.
6 - Jim Carruthers
Wow, ignorant, insular and touchy. Yes, a history lesson, so tell me, all about WWII, especially the role of the States during '39 and '40. Yes, France had a weak military, perhaps something to do with the destruction of an entire generation of young men 20 years earlier.
And perhaps a lesson on the forced assimilation of Acadians in Louisiana and Quebecois in New England? With a side-bar on the influence of French in the work of Jack Kerouac?
But of course, you're on the left coast and are too busy trying to tell your Vancouvers apart.
Hey, "what do you expect from people from the States" -- it isn't just for Quebec anymore. Don't worry, we're not laughing with you -- we're laughing at you. C'mon, can't you take a joke, you arrogant dickhead? If some shit disturber went down to the States and said to people in French that they were fat, stupid bullies, I'm sure everybody would have a good laugh.
As for the Gliberals, I think they'll muddle through, since the Conservatives are still trying to find a leader, and their choices are a dull politician from the West with no support in Onscario, a separatist as his organizer in Quebec and no support in the Maritimes, a pot-smoking single mom with no political experience and no platform, and a dork.
7 - Shark
Jim, don't stop!!! MORE HISTORY! MORE HISTORY!
Hot damn, somebody more brutal than moi!?
And funny to boot!!?
~ahhhh~ I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy this.
PS: You knew there was trouble brewing with: "...I have no problem with Canada and the Canadian people in general, but..."
"Fuck with us, and we'll take back Niagra"---TDavid
8 - visualsimplicity
How might the American War of Independence turned out without French intervention?
As for Louisiana, isn't that partially the French's fault also (in that Napoleon did after all, sell the land to the US). In that case, you can either assimilate to become part of the country, or leave.
Either way, what I notice here is, the Americans are thinking the French Canadians (French) are snotty and arrogant, and the French Canadians (French) are thinking the Americans are snotty and arrogant.
9 - Shark
Just what America needs when 90% of the world hates us: Triumph the Insult Dog as Ambassador at Large.
NEXT: Canadians signing up at flight schools in Florida.
PS: Conan's nightly trainwreck is ALMOST as bad as Dennis Miller's.
Almost.
Nothing could be that bad.
"But Shark, have you seen Jay Leno?"
Oh... yeah... nevermind.
10 - Mac
As for Louisiana, isn't that partially the French's fault also (in that Napoleon did after all, sell the land to the US). In that case, you can either assimilate to become part of the country, or leave
Oops! You are displaying your ignorance of history with that comment.
The French Acadians were located in Nova Scotia. After the French were defeated on 'the plains of Abraham', Montreal fell to the British signaling the end of the French & Indian War.
For 100 years, French Acadians had lived in Nova Scotia, a very strategic location during the Age of Sail. Because of its strategic importance, the British decided to move all French Acadians by force to Louisiana. This forced relocation resulted in the tragic deaths of thousands of men, women and children. The Acadians were not compensated for the loss of property.
This is even more tragic considering the Acadians were a fairly independant people who would have no problem living under British rule.
11 - visualsimplicity
My mistake Mac. Thanks for the clarification.
Anyway, every nation has done something wrong and something good. It's just ironic that the nationalities involved in this debate both think of each other as the one that is arrogant and snotty.
12 - HW Saxton Jr.
Monsieur Carruthers,Lighten up,Sil Vous
Plait!As far as I know,'twas not us,the
Americans,but rather the British,that
drove the Acadians from their new found
homes in New Brunswick & Nova Scotia in
the mid 1700's.Sept 5 1755 to be exact
was when the Brits signed the expulsion order at Grand Pre'. We fought against
the British,remember? At least accept
your countries part of the complicity in
regards to flight & plight of the Cajuns
History.That said,take Louisiana back if
you want it.But please Leave Mr.Clifton Chenier,all recipes for Alligator Gumbo,
Crawfish Etoufee,the Tabasco factory at New Iberia and the entire city of Breaux
Bridge(home of the LA. Zydeco Fest) out of the deal Okey Dokey? I'm gonna go re-read my copy of "Evangaline".......
13 - mike
Let's not forget that it was CONSERVATIVES who appeased Hitler. The left, in Britain, France, and here, wanted to intervene. They were condemned as "pre-mature anti-fascists" and hounded.
The left saved American from fascism.
14 - Jim Carruthers
Well, 'murrican self-regard really is like bad breath. Point out they have it, and you're the asshole.
I wasn't referring to the deportation from l"Acadie, but to the 20th century forced assimilation of French (and Spanish) speakers in the States. In Louisiana, for most of the past century, French was banned in schools and government.
Much of the language laws in Quebec come from their observation of what happened to francophones who went to work in the mill towns of New England from the 30s, almost all of whom lost their language and culture (Jack Kerouac's family was one of those). Yes, the laws annoy me (only New Brunswick is officially bilingual), but the reality is 6 million francophones surrounded by a monolithic "speak 'murrican". I think a more flexible approach would work better given the changing face of the urban population.
Here in Toronto, half of the population was born outside of Canada (me included). I recently got a flier from my city councillor and it was printed in English, Portuguese and Mandarin.
However, USAian teevee would be lost if they had to make with the funny outside of crude stereotypes.
15 - HW Saxton Jr.
JC,What is wrong with having one single
language? If only for general education
purposes this makes good sense to me.Or
do you suppose that we should try to
educate MILLIONS of people under several
languages??? Seeing as to how this is an
"English" speaking country this does not
make any sense.This would only serve to
cause dissension rather than striving on
towards a common goal.One Nation Under A
Groove and all that,brutha man.
As you are from "Canaduh" Mr. J.C.,how
can you in all honesty profess to know
what is and what is not good for all the
"Murricans" as you put it anyway??? The
assimilation of a common language is for
the large part a noble quest.I have many
friends here who speak many languages:
German,Spanish,Farsi,etc.What we have in
common though is we all speak English at
least to some degree LOL.What we may
speak amongst our families at home is of
no signifigance.No one here in the USA
seems to be wanting to rob anyone of any
of their ethnic or cultural backgrounds
as you seem to think.We celebrate ethnic
diversity here,not use it as a point of
contention to start separatist movements
(well,there is a group of folks here who
would like to see Texas secede but...).
With all that aside,you must be looking
forward to another stellar season from
those Blue Jays,eh?
16 - Shark
"...there is a group of folks here who
would like to see Texas secede but..."
What? We're part of the Union now?
"Victory or Death"---Shark Travis
17 - HW Saxton Jr.
Shark,STOP!!! you're killing me! Anyone
who would attack Colorado is OKAY in my
book though.The eyes of Tejas are upon you...
18 - Jonathan
I wouldn't say most of us in Montreal are arrogant assholes ...
I think the "what do you expect from people from the States?" comment was more directed at alot of americans lack of knowledge considering the tensions between Quebec-Canada.
Alot of Franco-Quebec nationalists feel like their culture is under constant attack. Usually they take this out on us Quebec anglos by making our english signs illegible.
19 - HW Saxton Jr.
I don't think that the majority of Americans,would
either J. I'll be honest and profess my ignorance
of Franco-Canadian politics in regards to Quebec.
I only get a wee bit peeved when someone seems to
claim knowledge of a situation they could not and
would not understand unless they were in those
self same shoes.
20 - BB
Reading these posts reminds of why I moved out of Toronto and away from Quebec (pronounced Kweeeebek).
Vive le Québec libre!
21 - Ken J
This may be the stupidest comment string I've ever read. It's time to stop.
22 - HW Saxton Jr.
Viva le Cuba Libre,too!!!
23 - Eric Olsen
If this is the stupidest, then dude, you've been blogging with Mensa, cause this thread is highbrow compared to many of its brethren.
24 - TDavid
My, my Jim, are we a bit uptight today? I wasn't condemning you personally with my comments, but it seems you sure took it personally. Sorry! My brother in law who is a born and bred Canadian talks much worse about Montreal and Quebec than a foreigner like I could. I was simply sharing that I don't like hearing them constantly disrespect us down here. The same is true for us down here disrespecting them, so it does work both ways.
I guess I'll just skip past your "arrogant dickhead" remark and simply suggest checking your history book a bit closer. Perhaps this date might mean something historically: June 6, 1944
Shark - Ha ha, I never said what you quoted, so get your facts straight before putting my name next to something in quotes. Brilliant, albeit a bit trollish. Where is your blog, anyway? You are missing on some of your best material! LOL
25 - Shark
Correction:
TDavid never said, "...fuck with us and we'll take back Niagra."
(BTW: "Niagra" is a banned word because of its racist connotations.)
BTW: entry#23 made me laugh out loud.