What are your thought on this? Do you think he should ring Oprah and try to teach her a few lessons about what offends black people or do you think the only lessons to learn here is by Harry himself?

My thoughts are that it's not unusual for non-Americans to criticize what they don't understand. I wouldn't pretend to know how the relationship between white Australians and Aboriginal people should be represented on an American TV show--or in any other venue.

Oprah has nothing to do with this. But if you want to drag her into it, my reply would be that she understands pretty well that blackface was popular in the U.S. during a time when bigotry was prevalent. Now, it's a form of satire that is largely used to make points about race relations by American black entertainers. Would she also acknowledge that it's inappropriate? Who knows. But it's distinctly American and therefore important to understanding who we are in this country. That doesn't mean it can't be seen as insensitive.

If you think Harry Connick, Jr was just trying to lecture all of Australia and make a scene, I don't what to tell you. The guy has been playing jazz with black musicians all his life and he respects them enough to voice his opinion when he thinks their characters are being impugned. It has nothing to do with Australia or the TV show or the people behind the make-up.

Oh yeah--by the way--when I read what he actually said I laughed out loud, man. "Hey, Hey, there's no more show"--that was classic Harry!

ClayBusby