Irish TV stars Oliver Callan and Lottie Ryan have blasted back after Jimmy Kimmel caused a storm on Sunday night as he hosted the 94th Academy Awards.
As expected, the American comic, 55, referenced Will Smith and the infamous slap incident from last year's ceremony, but it was Kimmel's jibe about Ireland that got everyone talking on social media.
Kimmel’s dig was aimed at the Irish nominees and also referred to Will Smith, who has been banned from the Oscars for 10 years after he hit host Chris Rock on stage last year.
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Kimmel joked: ‘Five Irish actors are nominated tonight… which means the odds of another fight on stage just went way up.’
But Lottie complained this morning about the joke to 2FM’s Jennifer Zamparelli. She said: “It just hasn’t gone down well.
“Irish people on social media aren’t very comfortable. Ireland was kind of the butt of the joke, you know? Every comment I saw online was negative.”
But Jennifer Zamparelli seemed to see the funny side of the joke. She said: “Look, if an Irish person had said it, they would have got away with it.”
“Kimmel is taking the Mickey out of the Irish because they got the most nominations and we were everywhere, flying the flag.”
“I mean, it’s playing into a stereotype and that’s a bit annoying but it made me chuckle. I wasn’t offended but I’m not Colin Farrell.”
“I don’t mind a joke. I don’t think we should be offended on behalf on other people who aren’t getting offended. Has Colin Farrell said he is really offended?”
Meanwhile comedian Oliver Callan has also spoken out against the US stereotyping the Irish. He referred to last weekend’s Saturday Night Live skit impersonating Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell.
The popular US show featured a skit with Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell lookalikes, speaking in bizarre accents at a fake Oscar ceremony. This was followed by a Saturday Night Live presenter joking: “Wow, and they haven’t even started drinking yet!”
The joke went down like a lead balloon for some Irish viewers.
Speaking about the skit, Oliver said: “Wow! And Colin Farrell hasn’t had a drink for 20 years. You’ve done no research, Saturday Night Live!”
“It was just bizarre,” he went on. “Saturday Night Live wasn’t funny.” The Irish impressionist watched the Saturday Night Live skit twice over the weekend. “I was just going, what was the gag?’
“Apparently, even when we’re speaking English, they can’t understand an Irish accent.
“Even when it’s two of the most articulate people we’ve ever produced – Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.”
Oliver was hosting RTE’s Ryan Tubridy Show today. He is currently filling in for the presenter. Ryan will be back on air on Wednesday.
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