UFC head Dana White starred as a homeless man during the NFL pregame show on Fox yesterday to promote this Saturday’s UFC on Fox 5. While most thought the Fox synergy was innocuous in one of the show’s weekly skits, some took to twitter to criticize White for his depiction of the homeless.
White had a small part in the skit although the NFL studio team pointed out that it was White making the cameo as the homeless man. The likely reason for the criticism was the sign held by White which read: “Please Help!!! Need Food AKA Booze”
(H/t: Cagewriter)
Payout Perspective:
The purpose of having White appear in the skit is obvious as the network heavily promoted UFC on Fox 5 yesterday. In addition to White’s appearance, the UFC on Fox 5 promo seemed to appear in every other bumper during each NFL on Fox game Sunday. Also, the network aired “UFC Road to the Octagon” after its games on Sunday.
As for the twitter issues, we don’t know if it was White’s idea for what the sign read, but he still took offense to the criticism. Certainly, the homeless issue may be sensitive to some and inferring that homeless people are all drunks would cause some to criticize that part of the skit. This issue should blow over but it’s a lesson in being sensitive to all audiences.
Good move Dana! Well DONE!!!
Looks funny to me. People need to get a sense of humor.
As someone who had a friend who worked at a homeless shelter. They are almost all drunks or on other drugs. If all these hippie prudes actually knew who they were offended for they would realize these are not people just down on their luck. Lots of them are people who got exactly what they wanted in life and dont even try to have better.
The skit was very funny and Dana was funny as well.
They should have that segment “Dana’s bum picks” right before every show from now on!
… at least he has clean white socks!
I think Dana White should say “I’m sorry” and write a check for 100k to the Union Gospel Mission or some other homeless advocacy group/resource. Being homeless sucks. If you’ve never experienced it then you can’t appreciate someones anger with seeing this problem made light of. The drunks who deserve to behomeless that Dana is depicting are different. But you can’t assume they are all drunks, Some have degrees and just fell on really hard times and don’t have good social/family connections/resources.
JUICE,
I get your point, but it’s a joke. Dana is meant to be portraying a caricature of a homeless person, not giving an accurate depiction of what it’s like to be homeless.
Jason,
You can never be sensitive to all audiences unless you say and do nothing. Someone is always going to get offended.
@Diego,
Point taken. But I do think this could be easily rectified if the sign said something like: “Riggle’s #1 Customer” or whatever Riggle’s character name was in the skit. It was a throwaway joke as it was but its become a thing. The booze reference could have been left out.
It added to the joke. Without it there was no point in a sign at all.
Juice,
Who cares if there is people out there homeless and not drunks. Im tired of people thinking everyone has to please them. Just because something is mentioned that a person is effected by doesnt mean that person has to act like a sensitive spoiled baby. If there is anyone in the street who is so bitter and obnoxious then i hope they stay in the streets. I have no sympathy for them if thats the type of people they are. I dont fly off the handle and bitch at every fat joke that isnt directed at me. I either laugh or dont laugh and move the hell on. WTF is wrong with people they feel the need to try to force people to conform to their way of thinking and acting. Then they have the nerve to act like its others who are intolorent and insensitive when it is infact them who are doing just that with their “I dont like the way you act and talk and your sense of humor so start being like me!” attitude. Some in society act like they embrace individualism while at the same time wait with baited breath to attack when you express yourself in a way they dont prefer.
Also how did Dana Offend homeless? How are homeless people watching TV? Show me a homeless person offended? Like ussual there isnt anyone. Its just entitled drama queens who are offended for them just to cause trouble and make an issue out of nothing. These types are the real problem in society. Not someones attempt to make someone laugh and smile. Its the losers trying to spread their anger and animosity who need to be sensored. Not Dana White!