When the “Daily Show” invited four Washington Redskins loyalists on the program this month to defend the team’s much-maligned name, the fans knew they might find themselves on the receiving end of some punch lines. But they weren’t prepared for the ambush that awaited them.
The Washington Post has the story:
The Redskins Nation citizens eagerly signed up, most of them knowing that they might be mocked in their interview with correspondent Jason Jones. But several hours into the Sept. 13 taping of the yet-to-air episode, the fans, all from Virginia, said they were suddenly confronted by a larger group of Native American activists — all of whom were in on the showdown prearranged by “The Daily Show.”
The situation apparently turned so tense that one of the fans, Kelli O’Dell, left the DuPont Circle hotel crying and eventually called the police because she felt threatened. The cops told her no crime had been committed during the taping.
O’Dell asked to be left out of the segment, but she isn’t sure if the “Daily Show” producers will honor the request.
“This goes way beyond mocking. Poking fun is one thing, but that’s not what happened,” O’Dell told WaPo. “It was disingenuous. The Native Americans accused me of things that were so wrong. I felt in danger. I didn’t consent to that. I am going to be defamed.”
The awkward encounter came after Jones conducted an interview with the four fans. More from WaPo:
As Jones wrapped up his interview with the Redskins fans, he made an unexpected transition, according to O’Dell. “Jason says something like, ‘Well, don’t you think it would be great if you could just have a conversation?’ ” she recalled. “He turns around, and Native American people came in, just glaring at us. ”
Jones pulled out some beer and chicken wings, O’Dell remembered, and sat back and watched. Both the fans and Native Americans said the room first filled with awkward silence, then vitriol.
It’s safe to say that the Native Americans who participated in the segment had a more enjoyable experience.
Thomas Ryan Red Corn, a member of a Native American comedy group called the 1491s, tweeted last week, “We had a blast shooting with thedailyshow Jason Jones is a master of his craft. We will keep you in…”
He also linked to a photo on his Instagram account showing the group pose with Jones.
What were the fans of The-Team-I-Will-Not-Name (though I note TPM has no such compunction) expecting when they went on the Daily Show? To be mocked, but not have their feelings hurt?
Can’t wait to see the episode.
It’s SO much easier to disrespect a group when they remain a nebulous “them.” So much harder when they show up in the flesh. Who wouldn’t feel threaten when confronted with flesh and blood people you thought were only stereotypes to help sell tickets?
Oh poor little bigot baby. Of course you could not care less how offensive your support of a racist and hurtful name to Native Americans is. Grow up little girl, and learn how to handle it when it gets dished back to you.
Calling Washington’s team the Redskins would be like Tel Aviv calling its sports team the Palewhineans.
I’m guessing the poor babies got shown up to be the clueless idiots that they really are, and now they have a sad.