Marlee Matlin has slammed SNL on Twitter after the late-night show took aim at the sudden fame of Mayor Bloomberg’s sign language interpreter Lydia Callis and her viral fame during Hurricane Sandy.
Marlee Matlin’s SNL complaints follow their Saturday send-up of Callis’ frequent appearances last week, with Fred Armisen as Mayor Bloomberg and Cecily Strong portrayed Callis.
In the skit, as Armisen imitated Bloomie, Strong engaged in a series of slapstick gestures aping American Sign Language and essentially mocking the use of it.
Overall, Marlee Matlin has been amenable to poking fun at herself.
But as she explained in a series of tweets after the SNL skit, the post-Sandy skit attacked it in an unacceptable and insensitive way.
Matlin tweeted:
Millions of deaf people use sign. Why poke fun/fake it? Poke fun at ME but not the language. Would they do that to Spanish or Chinese? FAIL.
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) November 4, 2012
I’m referring to sign language parodies. Sign is not mime; it’ is a legit language. That’s why I developed an App #MarleeSigns to teach it.
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) November 4, 2012
As I’ve said, I don’t mind fun poked at me, as I poke back. But at the language, that millions use? It feels childish and insulting. — Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) November 4, 2012
Here’s my point. Deaf people HAVE a sense of humor. Ever see me on Family Guy or Seinfeld? But faking signs that we use isn’t the same. — Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) November 4, 2012
Imagine if a show started making fun of Spanish (using fake Spanish) or Japanese. Do you think they’d actually get away with it? Uh, no…
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) November 4, 2012
The jokes about sign cold be funny if done right.. Seinfeld, Family Guy, My Name is Earl WERE funny. This stuff is just dumb.
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) November 4, 2012
Below, you can see the skit Marlee Matlin took issue with on SNL — do you see what is so offensive about the clip?
That's it, I'm saying it, I am very sick and tired of the "militant deaf" raging over every last thing that is done on television. Here's the deal Matlin, they were not making fun of your language, which is a modified way of communicating English, which technically means it is not a language, but a medium. They were poking fun at the overzealous manner in which the interpreter was doing her job. Yes, deaf people can do anything a hearing person can, that means they can be overly defensive and pompous, so congratulations, it also means that they can be perfectly amiable, humble, and courteous. Most of the deaf people I know and interact with on a daily basis are not constantly looking for a reason to be angry, or a reason to go on a rage about people that aren't deaf, the just live their lives.
@ Corey Nufer: While I'm not disagreeing that there are 'militant deaf' in existence, there are a couple of points I'd like to make. Including the fact that there are 'militant' members of just about every culture.
More importantly, though, is your misunderstanding of ASL. Signed English is a "modified way of communicating English". American Sign Language (ASL) is, by definition, a language. And is statistically the fourth most common language used in the US. This language – which has its own formalized signs and symbols, grammar and linguistic rules – includes facial expressions and body positioning.
Ms. Matlin wasn't going on a rage, nor was she specifically attacking people that aren't deaf – any more than SNL 'attacked' the deaf. SNLs (very unfunny) skit attacked the language used by American deaf people, and Ms. Matlin spoke up against that. As she said, and as can be evidenced by simply watching shows, many deaf actors, comedians, etc often make fun of themselves. Just as hearing do.
Do.you really interact with deaf people on a daily basis?