HONG KONG (AP) — Harry Connick Jr. says he did the right thing by expressing his outrage at a blackface skit poking fun at the Jackson Five in Australia last week.
The skit was featured on an Australian TV variety show where the 42-year-old Connick from New Orleans was a guest judge. Four men in blackface and with Afro wigs sang and danced behind a Michael Jackson impersonator wearing white makeup. Connick gave the performance a zero score. The host of “Hey Hey It’s Saturday,” Daryl Sommers, apologized to Connick at the end of the live show.
Public reaction in online forums was mixed. Some Australians said they were embarrassed such a racist sketch had been broadcast, while others said detractors were too politically correct and that the skit was funny.
Connick said he canceled an autograph session and interviews in Sydney after the show to let the controversy die down.
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Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.