"But first, a number. ...You know, a musical number."

[Thomas Veil]

Remember the scene from M*A*S*H where the crazy general asks a black soldier to testify in a court martial, but prefaces it with:

"But first, a number. You know, a musical number."

The soldier and the others in the room just look at each other.

"Well you've got it in your blood, boy. Just let it out."

And the crazy general then begins to shuffle and sing some old plantation song, while the stunned others in the room go in search of a large butterfly net.

Darned if life doesn't imitate art!:

Ariz. Cop Had Black Men Rap Away Ticket
Ariz. City Apologizes for Video That Shows Officer Getting Black Men to Rap to Avoid Ticket
By AMANDA LEE
The Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz. - City leaders have apologized after a program on Tempe's cable channel showed a white police officer telling two black men they could get out of a littering ticket by performing a rap.

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman and Police Chief Tom Ryff apologized for the show Thursday and suspended its future production after black community leaders voiced outrage and disappointment.

"I accept responsibility for the actions of my staff and apologize to any members of our community who have been offended," Ryff said during a news conference Friday.

The segment appeared on "Tempe StreetBeat," a program produced by police in the Phoenix suburb that followed several officers on patrol. It shows Sgt. Chuck Schoville pulling over two men in August in a mall parking lot.

He first asks for a name and ID from the driver and then asks the two men if they know how much the fine is for littering.

The officer then tells the men that they can avoid getting a littering ticket "if the two of you just do a little rap about what do you want to do a rap about? Littering? About the dangers of littering."

The two men agree, and each performs a short rap, laughing afterward. One says, "The dangers of littering, you will get a ticket. If you ain't wit' it, you better be experienced."

The second man raps, "Yo, I just got pulled over 'cause I threw my trash out the window when they rolled over. They got behind me and pulled me over."

Later, Schoville talks football with the men, one of whom agrees with his prediction that the Oakland Raiders will make it to the Super Bowl this year.

Schoville then says, "You know why you say I'm right? Because I got a gun and badge. I'm always right. That's the way it works, right?" The three laugh and the two men get in their car.

Leaders of chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Action Network expressed outrage and demanded that the city act.ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2694490)

Just too, too bizarre!

[xsedrinam]

Remember the scene from M*A*S*H where the crazy general asks a black soldier to testify in a court martial, but prefaces it with:

"But first, a number. You know, a musical number."

The soldier and the others in the room just look at each other.

"Well you've got it in your blood, boy. Just let it out."

And the crazy general then begins to shuffle and sing some old plantation song, while the stunned others in the room go in search of a large butterfly net.

Good thread title:
One of our favorite espisodes: (We have A-Z episodes on VHS)
Mississippi Mud:

When the sun goes down, the tide goes out,
The people gather 'round and they all begin to shout,
"Hey! Hey! Uncle Dud,
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud.
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud".

[lord patton]

Ah, yes. Great episode. If I recall, Harry Morgan guest starred as that racist general, only to be later hired full time as Col. Sherman Potter. Continuity errors? Nah. Just ask Armen Tanzarian.

Anyhoo, good find on the article.

[Thomas Veil]

Good thread title:
One of our favorite espisodes: (We have A-Z episodes on VHS)
Dude, get the DVDs! I saw a box collection at Target, covered in canvas, with all 11 seasons for $189. Individual seasons go for $29-39, so it's a bargain.

And thanks for the compliment on the thread title. :)

[badmofo9000]

I really don't see why people got upset about this. They performed a rap for a tv show and got out of their ticket. Was anything racial said or done. Or are people assuming that the only reason he asked them to perform was due to their race. Was the NAACP or whoever was "outraged" implying that white people can not rap??? Man that strikes of racism in itself.

As for the Mash reference. If you want to see a racist episode watch the one with the black football player nicknamed, "Spear Chucker Jones". I remember watching that in the break room where I work and was shocked that they replay that episode... I thought the "PC" police would be all over that one.

[Chundles]

I really don't see why people got upset about this. They performed a rap for a tv show and got out of their ticket. Was anything racial said or done. Or are people assuming that the only reason he asked them to perform was due to their race. Was the NAACP or whoever was "outraged" implying that white people can not rap??? Man that strikes of racism in itself.

As for the Mash reference. If you want to see a racist episode watch the one with the black football player nicknamed, "Spear Chucker Jones". I remember watching that in the break room where I work and was shocked that they replay that episode... I thought the "PC" police would be all over that one.

Spearchucker Jones was a regular cast member in the first season. He was portrayed as a competent and well-liked doctor. He was called "Spearchucker" because of his ability as a college football player before he was drafted with a pass so hard and accurate it was like trying to catch a spear. It had nothing to do with his race.

What about Ugly the Australian Anaesthetist? He was just a big bag of stereotype with a slouch hat on his head.

[miloblithe]

Spearchucker Jones was a regular cast member in the first season. He was portrayed as a competent and well-liked doctor. He was called "Spearchucker" because of his ability as a college football player before he was drafted with a pass so hard and accurate it was like trying to catch a spear. It had nothing to do with his race.

Right.... nothing to do with his race.

The incident above doesn't sound too horrific though, and sounds pretty good natured. I'd agree that the NCAAP has a point that it's potentially problematic to show this in a positive light. The idea of a white officer demanding to be entertained by two black men, and on that basis arbitrarilly deciding whether or not to exercise his power to fine them is really really problematic. Three people trying to make the interaction between the law and citizens friendly, fun, and at the same time serious (you shouldn't litter) seems like a good idea. As always though, it's a fine line.

[Thomas Veil]

Even though it was done jokingly and received amiably, it was still being done in front of the cameras, and other people might've been offended by it. Just not appropriate.

Spearchucker was actually a semi-regular, and he disappeared when the producers found out that there actually were no black surgeons in Korea. So when they whittled down the cast (several other characters were cut), Spearchucker went. Shame, because I liked him.

I do think the nickname was meant to have an ironic racial overtone. The movie and series were, after all, famous for irreverent humor. But yes, Spearchucker was a QB with a rocket arm, and that's the main reason for the nickname.

[solvs]

Would have been funnier if they were white suburbanite kids wearing baggy jeans and trying to act like they were from the streets. I don't think they meant any harm, probably an effort to appeal to them instead of being jerks and busting them or fining them. Or beating them, like the cops in that other thread(s). But I can totally see where some may get a little offended. I'm sure this will all blow over after a heartfelt apology, and I hope they don't push it, because it's bound to get people on both sides riled up if pressed.

[beatsme]

I'd say if everyone involved thought it was nothing more than harmless fun, then there's no problem. If the guys who did the rap thing felt insulted by the request, or if the cop was trying to humiliate the two guys, then there is.

but let me repeat:
if everyone involved thought it was nothing more than harmless fun, then there's no problem

I'd like to hear what the cop and the two guys have to say about it. If they all say it's much ado about nothing then that, in my mind, is that.