Guess it is JV & Elvis' turn

[emshighway]

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Vicki Shu Smolin, President, OCA-New York: 646-263-6044

Florence Chen, President, OCA-New Jersey: 201-755-3260

Jeannette Wang, President, OCA-Westchester & Hudson Valley: 914-552-0078

John Tandana, Executive Vice President, OCA-Long Island: 347-728-2612

OCA EXPRESSES OUTRAGE OVER 92.3FREE FM RACIST AND SEXIST RADIO SEGMENT

April 22, 2007 – Today, the New York metropolitan area chapters of the Organization of Chinese Americans – New York, New Jersey, Long Island and Westchester/Hudson Valley – expressed their outrage over a recent segment aired on WFNY 92.3Free FM that involved a prank call to a Chinese restaurant. In a letter to Thomas Chiusano, the station’s President and General Manager, OCA called for an immediate apology by the hosts of the racist, vulgar and sexist segment, JV & Elvis, their producer and the station. In addition, OCA demanded for the immediate firing of JV and Elvis and their show’s producer.

In the segment, the caller begins by telling the first restaurant employee, “I would like some Asian food, son of a bitch” as well as to the second employee, “I would love to have lots of Asian food, son of a bitch.” The caller then tells a the restaurant’s female employee, “Should I come to your restaurant so I can see you naked? “ and continues, “That way, I can see your hot Asian spicy ass.” As the caller goes on, he tells yet another employee that he would like some “flied lice,” but not “some old dung” and indicates that “I am training in Kung Fu, bitch” before ending with “Tell that hot Asian girl answering the telephone, I’d like to tap her ass.”

OCA-NY President, Vicki Shu Smolin,citing the letter, reiterates, “What is especially disturbing to the Asian American community is that the segment first aired on April 5 – just a day after Don Imus referred to the Scarlet Knights, the Rutgers University women’s basketball team, as ‘nappy-headed hos.’ Even more infuriating is that after CBS rightly fired Don Imus on April 12, JV & Elvis aired the segment AGAIN on April 19. It is apparent that not only did JV & Elvis not learn anything from the Don Imus scandal, but CBS and CBSRadio decided that Asian Americans are easy prey for racist radio broadcast.”

Ms. Florence Chen, President, OCA-New Jersey adds, “New Jersey is home to numerous technology, manufacturing and telecommunication firms and home to nearly three-quarters of a million Asian Pacific Americans. Until we are satisfied with the actions of 92.3FreeFM, we will be calling on the strength of the Asian American market to urge advertisers to pull their support.”

– more –

Mr. John Tandana, Executive Vice President, OCA-Long Island continues, “Once again, radio has tried to gain ratings to the detriment of Asian Americans. The segment lasted over six minutes, the entire time, casting Asian Americans and women in a demeaning manner. Asian Americans have and will continue to contribute immensely to this country’s economy, intellect and culture. We will not allow talk radio to spread stereotypes that hurt our community.”

Ms. Jeannette Wang, President, OCA-Westchester/Hudson Valley affirms that “If the executives of CBS, CBSRadio and 92.3FreeFM do not fire the DJs and their producer, they are sending a very strong message to the Asian American community that they do not care. A strong signal must be sent that this type of broadcasting is unacceptable.”

The OCA Chapters are urging its members and colleagues contact the following individuals to demand the apology from and firing of JV & Elvis and their producer:

Thomas Chiusano, President and General Manager, WFNY 92.3 Free FM
[email protected]

40 W 57th St, Fl 14
New York, NY 10019-4001
(212) 314-9231

Leslie Moonves

President & CEO

CBS

51 West 52nd Street

New York, NY 10019-6188

John Mainelli, Program Director, WFNY, 92.3 Free FM
[email protected]
WFNY-FM
40 W 57th St, Fl 14
New York, NY 10019-4001
(212) 314-9230

Karen Mateo, CBS Vice President of Communications
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
(212) 846-7638
[email protected]

###

Founded in 1973, OCA is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans. With a national headquarters in Washington DC and over 80 chapters and affiliates across the country, OCA embraces the hopes and aspirations of the nearly 12 million Americans of Chinese and Asian/Pacific Islander ancestry in the United States.

[PhilDernerJr]

I've not heard the segment, but JV & Elvis have done all kinds of skits to all kinds of establishments, mostly making fun of white peopel actually, and this is probably just oversensitivity after the Imus thing. Also keep in mind that JV's wife is Asian, much of the show's staff is Asian, and they do a lot of positive segments on the Asian community.

However, I've not heard the clip that they speak of.

And, yes, JV & Elvis have also promoted NYCAviation.com on their radio show and on their website, and a banner ad for them can be seen on the NYCA homepage.

Until I hear the clip and can determine any maliciousness (word?) for myself, I'm going to stand behind these two funny and talented guys.

[emshighway]

An O&A fan here. I have already emailed the CBS Suits in the Press Release with support of JV & Elvis. I suggest everyone else do the same.

[T-Bird76]

Based on WFNY's Arbitron rating of 1.1 no one was listening that could be offended. lol

[RDU-JFK]

We can't have a double standard. These two offended Asians in a similar manner like Imus offended blacks. If Imus is going to be fired then so should they.

(I am playing Devil's advocate; I feel Imus should not have been fired and I enjoy JV and Elvis. I just think it's unfair and hypocritical for someone to be fired for a racial slur against blacks but not against Asians. The Asians have every right to complain following the Imus fiasco.)

[Mateo]

maliciousness (word?)

Malice.

[Matt Molnar]

They've been suspended indefinitely without pay.

I agree that if they fired Imus, they should fire these guys.

Here's the call in question:
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=cb5_1177378417&p=1

[PhilDernerJr]

I don't thiknthey did anything comparable to Imus' more blatant comments. They poked fun, while Imus said thigns that were actually racial.

[NIKV69]

You know what is funny about this whole thing. That fat pig Rosie O"Donnell insulted every Asian in the world when she launched into her impersonation of how they talk which btw was not a skit or a bit. Yet we hear nothing about that or nor does anyone call her for her to resign. Imus said some dumb **** but this is getting out of hand.

[lijk604]

just another reason to switch to satellite radio...no FCC rules!

This country has gotten WAY too sensative. Do these people realize what was said only 10 or 15 years ago? Hell, Mel Brooks could never make another movie in today's environment. If anyone has seen "History of The World Part I" they would agree that just about every possible group was made fun of...blacks, asians, priests, romans, christians, etc.

For the love of pete, it's ENTERTAINMENT!!! You don't like it? Change the damn channel.

Imus should be back on the air (for all the 60 year old's that listen to him) and JV & Elvis should be allowed back too.

Oh, and I'm still waiting for Rev. Al & Jesse Jackson to go after the Rap labels and demand that their client start cleaning up their acts. Guess I better not hold my breath.

[moose135]

Oh, and I'm still waiting for Rev. Al & Jesse Jackson to go after the Rap labels and demand that their client start cleaning up their acts. Guess I better not hold my breath.

You can breathe again, John.

From a 2005 article:

http://media.www.thehilltoponline.com/m ... 4105.shtml

Sharpton Calls for Ban On Violent Rap Music
Caryn J. Grant
3/28/05

In an attempt to deter violence in the hip-hop culture, the Rev. Al Sharpton proposed last Thursday that a ban be placed on music by artists whose lyrics depict violent acts.

Sharpton did not specifically name any artists, but told the Associated Press that a shooting linked to a feud between rapper 50 Cent and The Game highlights the need for a ban.

And more recently:

http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=394904

Sharpton Takes Lyrical Battle To The Boardroom
April 23, 2007

After announcing that he would start a crusade to clean up some of the sexist and misogynistic lyrics in Rap music, Rev. Al Sharpton may be taking his mission to the next level. The New York Post reports that via his National Action Network, the Reverend is planning to buy stock in Time Warner and Universal Music Group - the parent companies of Rap labels like Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella. Sharpton will then use his right to go to shareholder meetings and complain about sexist lyrics.

"Some of these stockholders have no idea that they own stock in a parent company that owns companies calling them bitches and ho's," Sharpton said, according to the Post.

The Reverend also is spearheading a decency march, to be led by women, in Manhattan next month, targeting the offices of Sony, Time Warner and Universal Music Group. Last week, Sharpton cancelled plans to honor Island Def Jam CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid at a charity dinner because he feels the label releases offensive Rap music. Universal then allegedly asked that its $15,000 donation to Sharpton's event be returned, though a Universal spokesman denied that to the Post and said there are no hard feelings over Sharpton's withdrawing the award.

[Matt Molnar]

You know what is funny about this whole thing. That fat pig Rosie O"Donnell inssutled every Asian in the world when she launched into her impersonation of how they talk which btw was not a skit or a bit. Yet we hear nothing about that or nor does anyone call her for her to resign. Imus said some dumb **** but this is getting out of hand.

The same Asian group (or one like it) called for Rosie to be fired. Eventually after a couple of weeks of outcry she apologized.

[NIKV69]

The same Asian group (or one like it) called for Rosie to be fired. Eventually after a couple of weeks of outcry she apologized.

Far cry from the picketing that Sharpton and Jackson threatened to do until Imus was fired. Hmmmmm..

[PhilDernerJr]

there will be a protest in front of the Free FM studios tomorrow from 9am-12pm.

CBS RADIO BRANCH HQ
1515 BROADWAY
NEW YORK, NY
9AM - 12PM
WEDNESDAY APRIL 25th

I will be there myself until 10:00 or so. I urge all of you who side with JV & Elvis to attend as well.

[Matt Molnar]

JV & Elvis have been fired.

NEW YORK (AP) - One month after CBS Radio fired radio host Don Imus, it has permanently pulled the plug on a pair of suspended New York shock jocks for a prank phone call rife with offensive Asian stereotypes.

"The Dog House with JV and Elvis," hosted by Jeff Vandergrift and Dan Lay, "will no longer be broadcast," CBS Radio spokeswoman Karen Mateo said Saturday.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070512/D8P31G880.html