Your Test Came Back Positive, Charlie Brown

[koderkev]

Saturday Night Live ran a really tasteless bit on the Weekend Update last night. At the end of the "news" story (I forgot what it was, I got so upset at the ending, I think it was about World AIDS Day) they had a picture of Charlie Brown listening at the phone with the headline, "Your Test Came Back Positive, Charlie Brown."

I know SNL pushes the boundaries, and I'm understanding of the sort of black humor that some PLWA's develop. I've got a thick skin and this really pissed me off. 30 years later, HIV is now a joke? How is that possible? I realize I'm "making a big deal" out of a comedy bit, but I think something should be said to SNL through "official channels" (i.e. - the leaders of AIDS/HIV organizations).

I watched too many of my friends die (and 1 husband) over the years to have this crap put on TV in America. HIV/AIDS stigma is bad enough here in the midwest, we don't need any help making the hicks any more prejudiced.

If you want to express an opinion to NBC, here is their contact page.

[mecch]

The joke got some laughs and then some groans.
It wasn't necessarily in bad taste, its just how you interpret it.

[leatherman]

30 years later, HIV is now a joke?

you need to watch more TV

Shows like Family Guy (2005 "The Cleveland-Loretta Quagmire" and 2006 "Brian Sings and Swings") and Southpark (2008 "Tonsil Trouble" and 2002 "Jared Has Aides") and movies like 2004 "Team America: World Police" have been joking about AIDS for years.

I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't be offended by it; but that kind of stuff has been happening for years and years already.

[J.R.E.]

I have never found anything humorous about Hiv or aids, unfortunately the jokes about it have been going on a long time. 

Ray

[nyc_ev]

I saw the SNL and thought it was tasteless too, and I generally like tasteless humor .  Not to mention that it wasn't even "funny", at all...whereas I usually find south park, sarah silverman, etc funny.

[mecch]

I was seroconverting when I saw Sarah Silverman's extended deadpan joke and I didnt laugh.  The Team America joke is a satire and intelligent.  One of the first jokes I remember was in Bonfire of the Vanities and it was cutting and incisive.  Often times the joke is on HIV- peoples stigma.  Or the fake sanctimony of people who should know better.