"How I Met Your Mother" Puts A Character In Yellowface
The reaction on Twitter: #HowIMetYourRacism. Update: "How I Met Your Mother" co-creator Carter Bays has responded to this criticism on Twitter.
Monday's episode of "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS continued an ongoing joke about a slap bet between Marshall and Barney. In order to win the bet, and give the best slap to Barney, Marshall explains he learned the "Slap of a Million Exploding Suns" by seeking wisdom from three great masters.
It turned out these supposed wise ones were played by Marshall's friends — Colbie Smulders, Josh Radnor and Alyson Hannigan — in yellowface. People went to Twitter with #HowIMetYourRacism to takedown the episode.
1.
I used to watch @HowIMetMother but I now refuse to and hope they apologize for yellowface. #HowIMetYourRacism
Suey Park@suey_parkFollow
I used to watch @HowIMetMother but I now refuse to and hope they apologize for yellowface. #HowIMetYourRacism
05:46 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
2.
#HowIMetYourRacism Hey, Katy Perry called and wants her costume back. Oh wait, she stole hers too.
Suey Park@suey_parkFollow
#HowIMetYourRacism Hey, Katy Perry called and wants her costume back. Oh wait, she stole hers too.
06:00 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
3.
So I watched @HIMYM_CBS and was disappointed. Then I came on Twitter and saw #HowIMetYourRacism. Good job, Twitter.
Nicole Says Things@NFRAggieFollow
So I watched @HIMYM_CBS and was disappointed. Then I came on Twitter and saw #HowIMetYourRacism. Good job, Twitter.
06:45 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
4.
Really, #HIMYM?? You couldn't even bring yourself to hire Asian actors for this? http://t.co/oUdTXneCe6 #HowIMetYourRacism @CBS
šīrīn ✺ š▟īʿ@shereenTshafiFollow
Really, #HIMYM?? You couldn't even bring yourself to hire Asian actors for this? http://t.co/oUdTXneCe6 #HowIMetYourRacism @CBS
06:11 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
5.
@CBS #Yellowface doesn't get you better ratings, it just makes people want to boycott your network #HowIMetYourRacism
JH Seouljaboy Park@SeouljaboyParkFollow
@CBS #Yellowface doesn't get you better ratings, it just makes people want to boycott your network #HowIMetYourRacism
06:58 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
6.
I'm not surprised about #howimetyourracism and #yellowface on @CBS. The network's name warned us that we'll see BS.
Michael@LookMaICanWriteFollow
I'm not surprised about #howimetyourracism and #yellowface on @CBS. The network's name warned us that we'll see BS.
06:58 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
7.
I remember the very first episode of HIMYM where Middle Eastern women (lebanese to be exact)were deemed as sexual objects #HowIMetYourRacism
Despereaux@AidaaOzFollow
I remember the very first episode of HIMYM where Middle Eastern women (lebanese to be exact)were deemed as sexual objects #HowIMetYourRacism
06:37 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
8.
@humancity @suey_park #HowIMetYourRacism - when a show's cast has no People of Color - racism will surely make cameo appearances
Khaled Bey@legyptianFollow
@humancity @suey_park #HowIMetYourRacism - when a show's cast has no People of Color - racism will surely make cameo appearances
06:49 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
9.
people are already claiming asian american's are overreacting. demanding to be treated w/ decency is never overreacting. #HowIMetYourRacism
e. jae@heyejaeFollow
people are already claiming asian american's are overreacting. demanding to be treated w/ decency is never overreacting. #HowIMetYourRacism
06:44 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
10.
How I Insulted & Alienated Asian Americans? How I Was A Complete Jerk? How I Cheaply Exploited Others? #HowIMetYourRacism @HIMYM_CBS @CBS
middle finger emoji@humancityFollow
How I Insulted & Alienated Asian Americans? How I Was A Complete Jerk? How I Cheaply Exploited Others? #HowIMetYourRacism @HIMYM_CBS @CBS
06:26 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
11.
IF I SAW A WHITE GIRL LIKE THIS IRL I'D SPIT ON HER @CBS #HowIMetYourMother
claudia c@literalpornFollow
IF I SAW A WHITE GIRL LIKE THIS IRL I'D SPIT ON HER @CBS #HowIMetYourMother
05:56 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
12.
I thought the transphobia in #HowIMetYourMother was bad enough. An entire episode of yellowface? Really? #HowIMetYourRacism
JanuaryCait@JanuaryCaitFollow
I thought the transphobia in #HowIMetYourMother was bad enough. An entire episode of yellowface? Really? #HowIMetYourRacism
06:37 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
13.
Disturbing takeaway is that it’s somehow acceptable—safe, even—to do racist Asian jokes. It’s not edgy cable, it’s CBS. #HowIMetYourRacism
Michael Suen@poetichentaiFollow
Disturbing takeaway is that it’s somehow acceptable—safe, even—to do racist Asian jokes. It’s not edgy cable, it’s CBS. #HowIMetYourRacism
06:23 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
14.
#HowIMetYourRacism our race and cultures are not convenient costumes, punch lines and terrible story writing for @CBS's #HIMYM
Felix Hythlodaeus@felixhythloFollow
#HowIMetYourRacism our race and cultures are not convenient costumes, punch lines and terrible story writing for @CBS's #HIMYM
06:40 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
15.
Yeah, seriously, that episode of #HIMYM was so bad I turned it off. I couldn't stomach it. #HowIMetYourRacism
Ms. Roopa Cheema@CheemasClassesFollow
Yeah, seriously, that episode of #HIMYM was so bad I turned it off. I couldn't stomach it. #HowIMetYourRacism
06:47 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
16.
Besides the gross orientalizing of the women, Ted wore a fucking Fu Manchu stach! Who thought this was ok? @HIMYM_CBS #HowIMetYourRacism
Juliet Shen@Juliet_ShenFollow
Besides the gross orientalizing of the women, Ted wore a fucking Fu Manchu stach! Who thought this was ok? @HIMYM_CBS #HowIMetYourRacism
06:37 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
17.
If you're going to make fun of Asian people and kungfu, at least use Asian actors on your show instead of whitewashing it #HowIMetYourRacism
☮ K A R E N ☮@kaarenmeelonFollow
If you're going to make fun of Asian people and kungfu, at least use Asian actors on your show instead of whitewashing it #HowIMetYourRacism
06:29 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
18.
"I cant think of any jokes to write tho thats my job. I found an ethnic costume in the cupboard." HIMYM writers meeting? #HowIMetYourRacism
Yasmin@ychilmeranFollow
"I cant think of any jokes to write tho thats my job. I found an ethnic costume in the cupboard." HIMYM writers meeting? #HowIMetYourRacism
06:38 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
19.
#HowIMetYourRacism-->"@brokeymcpoverty: uh oh.@literalporn WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR WHOLE WRITING STAFF IS WHITE @CBS "
1Kellee@1KelleeFollow
#HowIMetYourRacism-->"@brokeymcpoverty: uh oh.@literalporn WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR WHOLE WRITING STAFF IS WHITE @CBS "
06:40 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
20.
I thought the transphobia in #HowIMetYourMother was bad enough. An entire episode of yellowface? Really? #HowIMetYourRacism
JanuaryCait@JanuaryCaitFollow
I thought the transphobia in #HowIMetYourMother was bad enough. An entire episode of yellowface? Really? #HowIMetYourRacism
06:37 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
21.
...outdated, overdone, not to mention UNFUNNY racial, ethnic, gender, sexual stereotypes. #HowIMetYourRacism #HowIMetYourMother
Cutie & the Bae-fish@brownivyFollow
...outdated, overdone, not to mention UNFUNNY racial, ethnic, gender, sexual stereotypes. #HowIMetYourRacism #HowIMetYourMother
06:26 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
22.
HIMYM better get it to together. Who the hell thinks it's ok to do racial caricatures for laughs in 2014?! #cbs #HowIMetYourMother
ephphathinker@ephphathinkerFollow
HIMYM better get it to together. Who the hell thinks it's ok to do racial caricatures for laughs in 2014?! #cbs #HowIMetYourMother
06:07 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
23.
Didn't we agree that Mickey Rooney's yellowface is an embarrassment that ruins Breakfast at Tiffany's? #HowIMetYourRacism
Sister Farrah Moans@SisterFarrahFollow
Didn't we agree that Mickey Rooney's yellowface is an embarrassment that ruins Breakfast at Tiffany's? #HowIMetYourRacism
06:46 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
24.
Maybe @HIMYM_CBS was trying to appeal to Asian-Ams by "appreCiATINg our CULtuRE!" Congrats. You miserably failed. #HowIMetYourRacism
yoonhee kim@yoonheeheesFollow
Maybe @HIMYM_CBS was trying to appeal to Asian-Ams by "appreCiATINg our CULtuRE!" Congrats. You miserably failed. #HowIMetYourRacism
06:47 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
25.
#HIMYM has always strained too hard for cheap boring laffs, but these Asian stereotypes (see #HowIMetYourRacism) are just...yeesh.
Steph Guthrie@amirightfolksFollow
#HIMYM has always strained too hard for cheap boring laffs, but these Asian stereotypes (see #HowIMetYourRacism) are just...yeesh.
06:53 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
26.
This is what happens when there are no PoC in the writer's room. No cultural accountability. #HowIMetYourRacism
Cutie & the Bae-fish@brownivyFollow
This is what happens when there are no PoC in the writer's room. No cultural accountability. #HowIMetYourRacism
06:19 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
27.
Watch @CBS pull an #SNL and hire one asian writer...for the remainder of a dying season. #HowIMetYourRacism
Lisa FactoraBorchers@LFB27Follow
Watch @CBS pull an #SNL and hire one asian writer...for the remainder of a dying season. #HowIMetYourRacism
06:48 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
28.
Let's put this in stone shall we? White people cannot be "Asian" to "honor" the culture ever again starting in 2k14. #HowIMetYourRacism
Mae Lee@ArtistMaeLeeFollow
Let's put this in stone shall we? White people cannot be "Asian" to "honor" the culture ever again starting in 2k14. #HowIMetYourRacism
06:45 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
29.
IF ASIANS DID WHITEFACE THE WAY WHITE PPL DO YELLOWFACE, WE'D HAVE PPL IN POWDERED WIGS AND PANTALOONS WITH CALAMINE LOTION ON THEIR FACES
claudia c@literalpornFollow
IF ASIANS DID WHITEFACE THE WAY WHITE PPL DO YELLOWFACE, WE'D HAVE PPL IN POWDERED WIGS AND PANTALOONS WITH CALAMINE LOTION ON THEIR FACES
07:04 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
30.
So disappointed in @HIMYM_CBS/@CBS. Way to mock a culture for cheap laughs. #HowIMetYourRacism #LazyAssWriting
Kim@kimnavoaFollow
So disappointed in @HIMYM_CBS/@CBS. Way to mock a culture for cheap laughs. #HowIMetYourRacism #LazyAssWriting
06:35 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
31.
Yellowface and stereotypes about Asians happen a lot in media. But now the internet is blowing up and mobilizing against #HowIMetYourRacism
Vi Bui@haiitsviFollow
Yellowface and stereotypes about Asians happen a lot in media. But now the internet is blowing up and mobilizing against #HowIMetYourRacism
06:24 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
32.
"We're are a culture, not a costume" @cbs #HowIMetYourRacism
Africa is Home@panafrikanistFollow
"We're are a culture, not a costume" @cbs #HowIMetYourRacism
06:25 PM - 14 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
Update — Jan. 15, 6:45 p.m. ET: "How I Met Your Mother" co-creator Carter Bays has responded to this criticism on Twitter:
Hey guys, sorry this took so long. @himymcraig and I want to say a few words about #HowIMetYourRacism.
Carter Bays@CarterBaysFollow
Hey guys, sorry this took so long. @himymcraig and I want to say a few words about #HowIMetYourRacism.
11:35 AM - 15 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
With Monday's episode, we set out to make a silly and unabashedly immature homage to Kung Fu movies, a genre we’ve always loved.
Carter Bays@CarterBaysFollow
With Monday's episode, we set out to make a silly and unabashedly immature homage to Kung Fu movies, a genre we’ve always loved.
11:36 AM - 15 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
But along the way we offended people. We're deeply sorry, and we’re grateful to everyone who spoke up to make us aware of it.
Carter Bays@CarterBaysFollow
But along the way we offended people. We're deeply sorry, and we’re grateful to everyone who spoke up to make us aware of it.
11:36 AM - 15 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
We try to make a show that's universal, that anyone can watch and enjoy. We fell short of that this week, and feel terrible about it.
Carter Bays@CarterBaysFollow
We try to make a show that's universal, that anyone can watch and enjoy. We fell short of that this week, and feel terrible about it.
11:37 AM - 15 Jan 14RetweetFavorite
To everyone we offended, I hope we can regain your friendship, and end this series on a note of goodwill. Thanks. @CarterBays @HimymCraig
Carter Bays@CarterBaysFollow
To everyone we offended, I hope we can regain your friendship, and end this series on a note of goodwill. Thanks. @CarterBays @HimymCraig
11:39 AM - 15 Jan 14RetweetFavorite