The Anti-Defamation Commission, Australia’s leading civil rights organisation countering hatred in all its forms, has expressed its disappointment at a ‘joke’ made by Eddie McGuire during the 30/11/2017 edition of Millionaire Hot Seat. The last contestant on the program was Serena Greenberg. Serena said that if she’ll win the $20,000 she would pay for her parents’ trip overseas so they can see their grandchildren. Eddie then asked “your dad’s not Jewish, is he?” to which she replied yes. Eddie then said, “so you have a Jewish father and a Scottish mother, I reckon it would have been hard getting pocket money from them!” Both Serena and her mother seemed uncomfortable by that last statement.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“While we appreciate the value of humour and give entertainers a lot of leeway, public figures need to show sensitivity and be careful not to traffic in age-old hurtful and demeaning stereotypes, especially those commonly associated with anti-Semitic myths. Denigrating any group by implying that they are stingy and cheap is always inappropriate and never funny. Those in show business need to ensure that their statements, which often push the envelope and boundaries, do not cross the line with tasteless jokes that call up ethnic slurs and which generate laughter at the expense of others. Such thoughtless language only reinforces harmful, pre-existing prejudices, and I am surprised that the producer chose to leave that remark in. And though he may not be aware of this, I will remind Eddie that it is often young people who the pay the price for such slurs by being taunted at school with crude, damaging smears. The bottom line: such jokes are never acceptable.”
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on 9272 5677.