"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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
2.
#HowIMetYourRacism Hey, Katy Perry called and wants her costume back. Oh wait, she stole hers too.
#HowIMetYourRacism Hey, Katy Perry called and wants her costume back. Oh wait, she stole hers too.
06:00 PM - 14 Jan 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
20.
I thought the transphobia in #HowIMetYourMother was bad enough. An entire episode of yellowface? Really? #HowIMetYourRacism
I thought the transphobia in #HowIMetYourMother was bad enough. An entire episode of yellowface? Really? #HowIMetYourRacism
06:37 PM - 14 Jan 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
26.
This is what happens when there are no PoC in the writer's room. No cultural accountability. #HowIMetYourRacism
This is what happens when there are no PoC in the writer's room. No cultural accountability. #HowIMetYourRacism
06:19 PM - 14 Jan 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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.
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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.
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
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.
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
To everyone we offended, I hope we can regain your friendship, and end this series on a note of goodwill. Thanks. @CarterBays @HimymCraig
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 14ReplyRetweetFavorite