sensitive about....

[tyme]

sensitive about disabilities

Posted: January 31, 2003

In a call today to Eric R. Hargis, the Epilepsy Foundation's President & CEO, a Warner Bros. representative said that the studio is considering the Foundation's request to delete inappropriate references to epilepsy from the movie, Kangaroo Jack. The popular motion picture for young audiences opened several weeks ago in theatres throughout the nation. The Foundation had asked that the studio delete the epilepsy references when Kangaroo Jack is released in VHS, DVD, or TV versions.

The Foundation expresses a special thank you to the parents and members of the epilepsy community for speaking out and helping to bring this issue to the attention of the film's producers and distribution company.



Do you think parts of a movie should be taken out due to a joke? Even if its about a illness/disability kids have who may find the joke hurtful?

 

[crysede]

Other...

I don't know the movie, but if it's aimed at kids, and there's good reason to think that some kids will be hurt by what's said about epilepsy, then yeah, take it out.

But if it's just parents getting upset over it, and the kids don't actually find the joke hurtful, then leave it in.

 

[peachykeen]

I voted 'other', because I don't think it would be appropriate for me to make a judgement about a film I haven't seen, just from this information.

 

[tyme]

Ok I am going to answer my own poll. first here is another bit on what the joke is.

The movie is rated PG and warns that it contains “crude humor” that may not be suitable for children. How right they are. Here’s what happens in the movie: a man is trying to describe a woman he’s met. He gestures wildly and makes a variety of sounds. The friend responds, “She’s epileptic?” Later, the same man suggests they ask for her help, and the friend responds again, “The epileptic?” The audience laughs both times, as they’re intended to. But to kids who live with epilepsy (and adults, too), it’s not funny at all -- just cheap shots at a vulnerable population.

I think we make fun of people who are "fat" and so many others. Does it make it right. No not really. These kids are going to have to live with this the rest of their lives. The sooner they learn they are going to have to see such things in the movies the better. Most of us with a health problem make jokes about it. hell my husband says he is going to put a quarter in me a ride me during a seizure. Have I seen a joke that was in such bad taste that I wrote letters you bet. It does not sound to me like this one is.


edited to add quote from epilepsy usa online news

 

[eagleyez]

Hmmm. I took my 8 yr old to see that last weekend,

and you know, I dont remember being uncomfortable about any scene,

and I work with kids with disabilities so I think I would have noticed,

BUT, I could have been on a popcorn run...

 

[Cerberus666]

here's the way i feel. if you dont like it dont watch it. if you are concerned about how your children will view it, be a parent and explain it to them. also explain why you think it isnt very funny. was it inappropriate? probably, but there are lots of those things in movies that kids are watching.

 

[tyme]

you know I would have laughed at it I bet. But I am not as sensitive about it as some.

 

[Cerberus666]

i can imagine it was funny. if it wasnt they probably wouldnt have had it in there. i can understand that others would be offended by it. but like i said before, if you dont like it dont watch it.

 

[crysede]

That doesn't seem hurtful to me – it's not really making a joke about epilepsy. But, I stand by my original statement, if kids with epilepsy do find it hurtful then get rid of it.

And "crude humour that may not be suitable for children"??? These guys obviously have never heard a four year-old recite their full repertoire of potty jokes LOL

 

[tyme]

yours too! I thought it was just mine.

 

[Thrillhouse]

While I am certainly against any PC censorship, I'd like to see the whole damn movie deleted, in this case, anyway.