Seth MacFarlane blasted by Jewish groups for 'offensive and inappropriate' Oscars jokes


  • Caused controversy with many of his close-to-the-mark jokes
  • Accused of 'reinforcing anti-Semitic stereotypes' during Ted gag
  • Ratings for the show topped 40million for the first time since 2010
  • Asked on Tuesday if he would ever present the show again, MacFarlane replied: 'No way!'

By Sarah Bull

PUBLISHED: 03:47 EST, 26 February 2013 | UPDATED: 04:24 EST, 26 February 2013

Dividing opinion: Seth MacFarlane hit headlines with his unique presenting style while hosting the Oscars on Sunday night

Dividing opinion: Seth MacFarlane hit headlines with his unique presenting style while hosting the Oscars on Sunday night

Seth MacFarlane found himself at the centre of more scandal on Monday in the wake of his controversial hosting of the Oscars.

The Family Guy comedian caused outrage among viewers when his Ted alter-ego took to the stage at Sunday night's ceremony with Mark Wahlberg, and told his co-star that if he 'wants to work in this town' he's got to be Jewish.

MacFarlane's Ted then added to Wahlberg: 'I was born Theodore Shapiro and I would like to donate to Israel and continue to work in Hollywood forever.'

But the gags, which came as the pair presented the award for Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing, weren't received well by many Jewish rights groups, with the comedian labelled 'offensive, unfunny and inappropriate'.

Abraham Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement: 'While we have come to expect inappropriate "Jews control Hollywood" jokes from Seth MacFarlane, what he did at the Oscars was offensive and not remotely funny.

'It only reinforces stereotypes which legitimize anti-Semitism. It is sad and disheartening that the Oscars awards show sought to use anti-Jewish stereotypes for laughs.'

The League's Founder and Dean, Rabbi Marvin Hier, added: 'The Oscars are transmitted to every corner of the globe, even to such places where such hateful myths are believed as fact.

'Every comedian is entitled to wide latitude, but no one should get a free pass for helping to promote anti-Semitism.'

The statement continued with the League accusing the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of failing to show 'greater sensitivity' by allowing the sketch to be aired during the show.

MacFarlane divided opinion with many of his jokes, which saw him take mock Adele's weight and Chris Brown and Rihanna's relationship, as well as a sketch which was deemed racist after the comedian used a coloured sock to illustrated Denzel Washington.

Controversial: One of the most scandalous gags saw the comedian's alter-ego Ted tell co-star Mark Wahlberg that if he 'wants to work in Hollywood' he must be Jewish

Controversial: One of the most scandalous gags saw the comedian's alter-ego Ted tell co-star Mark Wahlberg that if he 'wants to work in Hollywood' he must be Jewish

The opening number saw MacFarlane take part in a musical segment entitled 'We Saw Your Boobs', referencing stars in the audience including Charlize Theron and Jennifer Lawrence.

But following the comedic number, Julie Burton, president of the Women's Media Center, said "The sexist tone throughout the show indicates a critical need for the Academy to expand its talent pool of female writers, producers and directors.'

And former Oscar-winning producer Cathy Schulman added: 'Among the women I've talked to today I would say I haven't heard from any who thought it was in good taste.'

Musical theme: There were many musical breaks during the show, many of which Seth MacFarlane partook in

Musical theme: There were many musical breaks during the show, many of which Seth MacFarlane partook in

Host Seth MacFarlane performs during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre

The big time: Host Seth MacFarlane performs during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre

 

Meanwhile, The Parents Television Council criticised MacFarlane's hosting style as a whole, with the group's president TIm Winter saying: 'The Academy Awards broadcast contained sexist, misogynistic and sexually exploitative content. Clearly, families are no longer a welcome part of the audience.'

However, a spokeperson for the Academy said in a statement of MacFarlane's hosting: 'If the Oscars are about anything, they're about creative freedom.

'We think the show's producers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and host Seth MacFarlane, did a great job, and we hope our worldwide audience found the show entertaining.'

MacFarlane poked fun at the Denzel Washington movie Flight with a sock puppet sketch

MacFarlane poked fun at the Denzel Washington movie Flight with a sock puppet sketch

... but was reprimanded by a furious Captain Kirk who told him: 'It's 2013, you can't do black hand any more!'

... but was reprimanded by a furious Captain Kirk who told him: 'It's 2013, you can't do black hand any more!'

And if MacFarlane's success is to be judged by the ratings of the show, then controversy rules.

The 85th Oscars cracked 40 million viewers for the first time since 2010 - pulling 40.3 million viewers on ABC, an overall increase of 3 per cent from 2012's telecast hosted by veteran master of ceremonies Billy Crystal, which drew 39.3 million viewers.

Even better, viewership rose 11 per cent in the important 18-49 demographic with a 13.0 rating over the 2012 show's 11.7 rating in the same category.

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When the cameras showed audience members in the background of MacFarlane's shot after the 'Boobs' song, Helen Hunt, left, and Jessica Chastain and Kathryn Bigelow, right, did not appear amused

He's got fans: MacFarlane managed to draw laughs from the audience and even backstage with John Travolta

He's got fans: MacFarlane managed to draw laughs from the audience and even backstage with John Travolta

However, the show failed to top the 2004 Oscar's audience of 43.5 million viewers who tuned in to watch Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King take Best Picture.

But despite the success of the show, MacFarlane said on Tuesday that he would not return to host another show.

Retweeting a message from another website asking him if he would reprise his presenting role, MacFarlane replied: 'No way. Lotta fun to have done it, though.'

According to the comedian's sister, MacFarlane had to be reassured at length by his family that things went well after the ceremony.

Speaking on Access Hollywood Live, Seth's sister Rachael explained: 'He's incredibly, incredibly critical of himself. So we were saying, "You were fantastic, it was amazing." He said, "I'm always going to find something." '

 
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