Acura apologizes after casting "not too black" actor in Super Bowl Seinfeld/NSX ad

[NFS4]

I don't have an opinion on this one way or the other, but all I can say is :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::whiste:

We loved the hilarious Super Bowl ad for the coming-some-day-but-not-anytime-soon Acura NSX starring Jerry Seinfeld, but we really wish it would have popped back onto our radar for a different reason than this. (Like a production announcement from Honda.) TMZ is reporting that when the commercial was cast, the ad the agency responsible had sought an African-American actor to play the car dealer who was, "Nice looking, friendly. Not too dark." And the website has a copy of the document to prove it.

To paraphrase one of Seinfeld's catch phrases: "Yes, there's everything wrong with that."

While we'd like to think that some day the obvious interpretation might be that the casting director was referring to the actor's mood, clearly that's not the case here. TMZ says an unnamed source associated with the commercial told it that "not too dark" had something to do with lighting and special effects, and we hope that's true. Still, the way the brief description reads, it certainly sounds like whomever was casting the spot thinks dark-skinned people are neither nice nor friendly.

We're not about to throw Honda under the bus – it was, after all, an outside ad agency named RP& that shot the ad, according to Motoramic – as the automaker apologized, issuing the following statement:

We apologize to anyone offended by the language on the casting sheet used in the selection of actors for one of our commercials.

We sought to cast an African-American in a prominent role in the commercial, and we made our selection based on the fact that he was the most talented actor.

The casting sheet was only now brought to our attention. We are taking appropriate measures to ensure that such language is not used again in association with any work performed on behalf of our brand.

While we're glad to see Honda react promptly and properly, re-watching the commercial gave us further pause: If Honda indeed sought to cast an African-American in a prominent role, did it consider an African-American for the part of the guy who's first on the list for the NSX, as opposed to the salesperson?

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/acura-apologizes-after-casting-not-too-black-actor-in-super-bo/

Commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WUFSHzT2xuY

 

[Insomniator]

Really dark people are scary. Makes sense...

 

[BrokenVisage]

Too bad they can't blame it on mistranslated Engrish.

 

[shortylickens]

5 bucks says this ends up in P&N by morning.

 

[OCGuy]

So it is racist if you don't want Wesley Snipes?

 

[Atomic Playboy]

They also said they were looking for a "comedian, white, inoffensive... how 'bout one of them Jews?"

 

[RavenSEAL]

Really?

 

[NFS4]

So it is racist if you don't want Wesley Snipes?

 

[Crono]

It's not racist necessarily to prefer a skin tone for casting. Gender, hair color, eye color, body shape, etc are often specified for casting calls.

The reasoning behind it may or may not be interesting. But I wouldn't make a big deal of it. They were looking for a black guy, it's not like it said "whites only".

 

[xSauronx]

It's not racist necessarily to prefer a skin tone for casting. Gender, hair color, eye color, body shape, etc are often specified for casting calls.

The reasoning behind it may or may not be interesting. But I wouldn't make a big deal of it. They were looking for a black guy, it's not like it said "whites only".

they should have said "lights only"

 

[brianmanahan]

i tell you surely, before the rooster crows 3 times

someone gonna get banned

 

[Q]

PC is so stupid

 

[coldmeat]

I don't see what the problem is here. They were looking for a specific look. If you don't want to be discriminated against for how you look, don't get into acting.

I don't really see how this is any different than saying "no blondes" or "no big noses".

 

[Fritzo]

Really black people wouldn't have a job, much less be wearing a suit, so I don't see the problem.

 

[brianmanahan]

Really black people wouldn't have a job, much less be wearing a suit, so I don't see the problem.

my prophecy is about to come true!

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I actually don't have a issue with this. The ad has a very light tone to it, even the suits are light grey instead of deep dark black. Skin tones are part of an ad color scheme

 

[PieIsAwesome]

I actually don't have a issue with this. The ad has a very light tone to it, even the suits are light grey instead of deep dark black. Skin tones are part of an ad color scheme

Yeah, this.

 

[OlafSicky]

Before the "controversy" I didn't even know this ad existed and I didn't even know that there was a new NSX
Going to see an Acura dealer tomorrow to see if I can get one.

 

[foghorn67]

I once shot a mixed marriages wedding. Beautiful couple. But, holy crap, I had maybe 0 stops in latitude. It made shooting digital like I was shooting e-46 all over again.

 

[KeithP]

The need to change their name the "Blacura" to make amends.

-KeithP

 

[BladeVenom]

This is awful, they want nice looking people in commercials. This is blatant discrimination against ugly people.

 

[shortylickens]

I once shot a mixed marriages wedding. Beautiful couple. But, holy crap, I had maybe 0 stops in latitude. It made shooting digital like I was shooting e-46 all over again.

I swear to god I have no idea what the hell you just said.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

This is awful, they want nice looking people in commercials. This is blatant discrimination against ugly people.

Dark = ugly?

 

[BladeVenom]

Dark = ugly?

That's what you are thinking. That's not what I'm saying. Good looking was also a requirement.

"Nice looking, friendly. Not too dark." They also want nice looking, and friendly. So they are discriminating against ugly people, and those not friendly looking.

 

[alkemyst]

Sadly when they tell a white actor they are too pale for the part, they don't get all uppity.

Dark has to do with the light colors for the commercial. When someone is too dark on a white set, exposure is difficult.

I have pictures here where most think I was black because I had a uber tan and photographed against all white walls.