UPDATE: As was expected, more shows are being forced to deal with their use of racially insensitive portrayals. On Wednesday, Variety reported that Hulu took down three episodes of Scrubs due to their use of blackface. This decision reportedly came at the request of ABC Studios and the Bill Lawrence, the show’s creator. On Twitter, Lawrence was asked about Scrubs in response to the 30 Rock news, and he agreed that the episodes should be taken down, saying that the move was “already in the works.”
Original Article: For many people, the last few weeks have been an important period of reexamining what modern-day racism looks like. Many of us were taught in school that racism is an evil that was mostly extinguished with the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, but that’s just not true. Racism still exists in every corner of society, from governmental systems to workplaces and even to the movies and TV that entertain us.
This week, NBCUniversal decided it would pull four episodes of 30 Rock from streaming services and TV reruns due to racially insensitive content, namely, the use of blackface. The request for the episodes to be removed came from executive producers Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, with Fey writing an open letter to the various platforms that currently distribute 30 Rock. She wrote, “As we strive to do the work and do better in regards to race in America, we believe that these episodes featuring actors in race-changing makeup are best taken out of circulation.” She said that she now understands that “‘intent’ is not a free pass for white people to use these images,” and apologized for “pain they have caused.” She concluded by saying that “Going forward, no comedy-loving kid needs to stumble on these tropes and be stung by their ugliness.”
A source confirmed to Vulture that the episodes have already been taken down from some platforms, and will be completely gone by the end of the week. Of the episodes in question, two feature Jane Krakowski in blackface as Jenna Maroney—one as part of a Halloween costume, and one in a storyline where she and Tracy agree to an “experiment” in which they swap identities to see who has it harder in America, black men or white women. Even one of these instances would have been bad, but NBC had to take down four?
Just think about that. In a critically-acclaimed, award-winning show that premiered less than 15 years ago (in 2006), there were FOUR different episodes deemed problematic enough that they should no longer be shown. The most recent of the episodes, which featured guest star Jon Hamm in blackface, first aired in 2012, just eight years ago. It’s alarming that NBC, a network that follows strict guidelines when it comes to language and sexual content, apparently found no red flags with multiple instances of blackface used for comedic effect.
With the renewed focus on racially insensitive material, content distributors are reevaluating problematic material across the board. Earlier this month, HBO Max removed Gone With The Wind from their streaming platform over its depiction of slavery, and announced they will bring it back with content warnings and an introduction from scholar Jacqueline Stewart explaining why the film is problematic. Amazon, meanwhile, is considering removing the classic 70s and 80s show The Dukes of Hazzard from their platforms. The Confederate flag is featured in every single episode of the show, and the car that plays a central role is nicknamed General Lee.
It seems likely that more shows and movies will be reexamined in the coming days and weeks, but racism isn’t the only issue at hand. This week, Comedy Central made the decision to pull a 2011 episode of Workaholics, in which Chris D’Elia guest stars as a child molester. Last week, D’Elia was accused of sexual harassment and inappropriate contact with numerous underage girls, but he has denied all the allegations. Ironically, D’Elia also played a pedophile in the most recent season of You, but Netflix hasn’t made any comment about that show.
While instances like 30 Rock’s blackface depictions are coming up in conversation again, insensitive content in TV and movies is far from an isolated issue. In the past, we’ve discussed problematic moments in some of our favorite shows like Sex and the City and Friends, both of which are still widely available to binge in 2020. I have a feeling that these 30 Rock episodes are the first of many that will be looked at again with a more critical eye and possibly removed.
Images: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
There are certain beauty products we as betches can never get enough of—tanning lotions, hair masks, and occasionally, a good set of falsies will truly amp up our chances of getting triple-digit likes on Insta and a “U up?” text at 3am. Since we obviously can’t ever have nice things and all good things must come to an end eventually, the truth is some of these daily life-changing beauty hacks are causing you more harm than good if used excessively—and this is most likely case. Turns out the stars are against us (fucking shocker) and using too much of the things we swear by is secretly ruining our lives. I guess better late than never, right? So, here’s everything you def use on a regular basis you should probs chill out with so you don’t end up with fugly breakouts or scarred skin.
1. Primer
Primers are our best friend but secretly a backstabbing, scum-sucking road whore. I know it makes our skin look amazing by hiding any evidence that we’re slowly becoming ancient and covering up pimples the same size as some third world countries, but primer is also composed of sneaky silicones. Silicones make your face look hella smooth, but by doing so, block pores and cause a buildup of sweat and oil which increases acne. Vom. Use sparingly and be sure to wash thoroughly before bed.
2. Cleansing Brushes
Cleansing brushes are only relevant because we’re too lazy to use our fucking hands to wash our faces, so we use a brush instead of exerting any form of energy. While this concept seems like a good idea when you’re trying not to fall asleep with makeup on (again), using cleansing brushes too often actually roughens up your skin. This can cause v serious skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis, both of which fucking suck. Believe me. Try not to use your Clarisonic more than a couple times a week.
3. Hair Masks
Pampering your hair is great and all, but it def needs a break in between washing and using masks. Honestly, no matter how much you love it, you should only use a hair mask once a week. More than that can weigh your hair down, leaving it flat and super oily. If you find yourself flying through dry shampoos, make sure you’re using one specifically for your hair type and leaving it in for the appropriate time.
4. Eyelash Extensions
Falsies are deceiving, to be blunt. Sure, your thotness is amplified more than ever, but honestly, unless you’re a cougar on Real Housewives, the whole process is expensive and like, a fuck ton of responsibility. I can’t even remember to eat dinner before a nightly planned blackout, how the fuck am I going to remember to upkeep my goddamn eyelashes? Even the organic/vegan/gluten-free/whatever “healthy” extensions can damage your natural lashes since they’re literally glued on. Eventually your natural lashes will like, fall off and be damaged forever so if you reaaally have to, try a one-time use to stay clear of looking like this:
5. Scrubs
Exfoliating is pretty much essential for fab skin, but since scrubs often contain beads (which can hurt like a motherfucker), they can literally scratch off your skin and expose extra fresh layers to bacteria. Um, how about not? Too much of that can cause like, really bad shit to happen, such as bleeding and scarring so only use once or twice a week max. In the words of TLC, sing it with me:
6. Self-Tanner
We can prevent cancer if we still want to be tan year-round by using fake tanners (cool), but that doesn’t clear us from encountering other skin problems when we try to use self-tanner at home. Try to use a self-tanner only once a week, regardless of how strong the temptation is. Any more than that can make your skin peel off like Samantha in Sex and the City. Like, ok, just fuck me up. I’ll just be pale and ghostly for nine months out of the year. It’s fine. It’s fucking fine.
PSA: St. Ives Apricot Scrub is even more nefarious than you thought it originally was when you found it in your mom’s bathroom cabinet and decided to use it because you were desperate. Even though it was covered in mildew. And from 1994.
Apparently two losers with too much time on their hands consumers filed a class-action lawsuit against Unilever (who owns the St. Ives brand) claiming that the product is “unfit to be sold or used as a facial scrub” and “completely worthless.”
If only you could sue other things (people) for being “completely worthless.”
Here’s the gist: Some dermatologists and exfoliant enthusiasts report that the walnut shell powder within the scrub actually tears holes in your skin and can lead to infection and, even worse than death, premature aging.
In response, St. Ives said, “We can say that for over 30 years, consumers have loved and trusted the St. Ives brand to refresh and revitalize their skin. We are proud to be America’s top facial scrub brand and stand by our dermatologist tested formula.”
Honestly, kind of sounds like they hired Donald Trump to write the statement and then just took out words like “SAD!” and “NICE!” and “TITS!”
In other news, someone alert Gigi Hadid.
Everything you need to know about the St. Ives lawsuit: https://t.co/FhKBhRUQkM pic.twitter.com/7ClSlf5HPd
— Glamour (@glamourmag) January 4, 2017
