‘How I Met Your Mother’ Creators Address Racist Episode
The CBS hit show How I Met Your Mother is in a bit of hot water after Monday night’s Kung-Fu inspired episode. After the episode aired fans took to Twitter and complained by using the hashtag #HowIMetYourRacism in a way to call out the sitcom for their depiction of Asian culture. The episode caused such a big uproar that the creators behind the hit series are now addressing the issue.
The episode titled “Slapsgiving 3: Slappointment in Slapmara” focused solely on Marshall’s slap bet that he had with Barney. During the episode Jason Segel’s Marshall promised that his slap to Neil Patrick Harris’ Barney would be so powerful because he learned important lessons from three powerful Asians.
The Asians in question were portrayed by the show’s regular cast members Cobie Smulders, Alyson Hannigan, and Josh Radnor, all who were in yellow face, wearing kimono-esque costumes, and putting on a hammy exaggerated accent, while eating noodles, drinking tea, or practicing their calligraphy skills. To top it off Josh Radnor’s Ted had a Fu Manchu mustache as well.
To make matters worse the three Asians names were referred to as “Red Bird”, “White Flower” and “The Calligrapher.” As previously stated, the blatant show of racism from its creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, started a Twitter war that extended on to various blogs. By Wednesday the situation couldn’t be ignored and the creators apologized through the clever hashtag #HowIMetYourRacism:
Hey guys, sorry this took so long. @himymcraig and I want to say a few words about #HowIMetYourRacism.
— Carter Bays (@CarterBays) January 15, 2014
With Monday’s episode, we set out to make a silly and unabashedly immature homage to Kung Fu movies, a genre we’ve always loved. — Carter Bays (@CarterBays) January 15, 2014
But along the way we offended people. We’re deeply sorry, and we’re grateful to everyone who spoke up to make us aware of it. — Carter Bays (@CarterBays) January 15, 2014
We try to make a show that’s universal, that anyone can watch and enjoy. We fell short of that this week, and feel terrible about it. — Carter Bays (@CarterBays) January 15, 2014
To everyone we offended, I hope we can regain your friendship, and end this series on a note of goodwill. Thanks. @CarterBays @HimymCraig — Carter Bays (@CarterBays) January 15, 2014
I second everything @carterbays just tweeted — we love all #HIMYM fans and apologize that we caused offense. — Craig Thomas (@HimymCraig) January 15, 2014
Continuing the discussion of what’s appropriate and what’s not, Carter Bays posted a BuzzFeed link that detailed the proper way to write a character that represents another.
An excellent article everyone should read. (Especially three-months-ago-me.) http://t.co/DKwhYFjQYm
— Carter Bays (@CarterBays) January 16, 2014
As for How I Met Your Mother, it was announced that the show will take its final bow on March 31. As for Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, the two have decided to stick with CBS and create a spin-off show called How I Met Your Father.
