Hey Hey It’s Saturday returns to Channel 7 despite controversies
Hey Hey It’s Saturday is set to return to television, just months after the show was engulfed in a racism scandal.
Channel 7 has announced that it will air a one-off TV show to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary.
Hey hey we are 50 years old will be presented later this year. It will be hosted by Daryl Somers and will feature some of the favorite characters from Eh eh.
“I was absolutely delighted when Seven suggested a 50th birthday Eh eh special, ”Somers said in a statement.
“Trawling back through the vast archive was almost as much fun as doing the show in the first place, so hopefully we can deliver some laughs, not just the diehards. Eh eh fans but to all Australians, because we desperately need a touch of lightness right now. “
Seven Network Programming Director Angus Ross added: “There are very few Australian TV shows as well-regarded as Eh eh and we are so excited to be able to work with Daryl and his team on this fantastic special event.
He continued: “For three decades, Eh eh was one of the funniest, most entertaining, and unpredictable shows on television. We are honored to be a part of what promises to be a wonderful celebration.
Channel 7’s decision to bring back Eh eh comes just months after the show was accused of racism.
The controversy began in March when Somers told the Sun Herald: “You probably couldn’t get away with half the things you could Eh eh now because of political correctness and the culture of cancellation. It’s a shame because showbiz doesn’t have much luck.
In response to his comments, a Twitter user made a video compilation showing all the times Malaysian-born singer Kamahl has been the victim of racist jokes and stereotypes about Eh eh.
After the clip went viral, Kamahl was interviewed on ABC’s 7.30 and said about his Eh eh appearances: “Eh eh was a landmine and I knew I was going to explode here and there, but there were some cases that were harder to digest than others.
He continued, “It’s like losing your underwear. It robs you of everything. It’s like being naked. It is a terrible feeling.
Kamahl told the ABC that despite being the butt of unpleasant jokes, he continued to appear on the program to maintain his public profile.
“I volunteered, knowing full well that there would be a downside, but never realizing how offensive the downside would be,” he said. 7.30.
RELATED: John Blackman Rejects Kamahl’s Comments
Somers then apologized to Kamahl in a public statement, saying: “I want it to be very clear that I and all of the members of the Eh eh team does not tolerate racism in any form. I’ve always viewed Kamahl as a friend and supporter of the show, so I deeply regret any hurt he has felt as a result of everything that has happened on the show in the past.
Somers continued: “Hey hey it’s saturday never sought to offend anyone, but always strove to entertain the family.
Eh eh has made headlines in other race-insensitive segments in the past.
In 2009, American singer Harry Connick Jr was visibly upset when men appeared in blackface during a Red Faces segment.
Somers apologized to Connick Jr at the end of the show, to which the singer responded: we really take him to heart.
“I feel like I’m at home here and if I had known this was going to be part of the show, I probably wouldn’t have made it,” he said.