All jokes aside, I watched the first episode of Outsourced on television a few days ago, looking forward to enjoying some fresh and funny Indian humor. Instead, I found myself wincing all the way through it. Throughout the show, cheap shots at Indians were taken, including:
1) sacred cows running in the streets and a “beef” joke.
2) “funny” Indian names that sound vulgar in English.
3) how Indian food is unappealing and can cause fits of uncontrollable bowel movements.
4) fake Indian accents.
5) making fun of Indian clothing and turbans.
Those are just a few of the stomach-churning elements I found watching the show. Never mind the premise: it’s a show about a guy moving to India because the US company he works for has outsourced all of its workers to India. Is it me, or is the basis of the show in incredibly poor taste? Given the economic climate and the number of Americans out of work, I think NBC has demonstrated a complete lack of sensitivity towards Indians and Americans by airing this show.
-Krishna
What do you think about the movie, also called “Outsourced”, that the show is based on?
I haven’t seen it. Is it any good?
While it has some of the same jokes (the water causes dysentery, cows roaming freely, etc), it seems to do a better job of resolving into a meeting of cultures than a sitcom gunning for laughs.
Everyone I know who saw the movie enjoyed it a lot and equally hated the the sitcom.
Though my take on it being more equally balanced is no more informed than what a tourist would know.
I haven’t watched the show, but it does seem in poor taste. But whatever sells and in this climate, it seems that a show like this would be popular with the American between the East and West coast, yes?
this is ridiculous! nobody actually watches springer…
The Movie ‘OutSourced’ is an effectively non-hurting funny take on reality of outsourcing.
It is recommended.
Not watched the SitCom yet.
I consider the sitcom quite tasteless, based on the preview I had inflicted on me at the movies.
I will definitely not be watching it on TV.
Sounds like NBC is trying to ride the anti-PC “offend freely” wave. There’s a line between enjoying the genuine idiosyncrasies of humans around the planet, and perpetuating ugly stereotypes for a cheap laugh, and it sounds like NBC is happy with the lazy approach. Go figure.
Just another example of why I watch less and less TV.