Using Hep C for a joke!

[gene53]

I was watching Saturday Night Live last night and there was a skit where they had one of the actress's  dressed up like a drug addict and say I have Hep C like that was supposed to be funny.
I realize this is a comedy show but that just kind of freaked me out a bit using Hep C as a joke. I know I have other things to be more concerned with like my upcoming treatment for Hep C but that just kind of blew me away to use this horrible HCV in a comedy skit.
It's no joke to me and I don't think it's to funny to anyone doing the treatments and so on.

What do you think about that????????????

Gene

[screaming48]

Thats sick, they are known to have skits that are insensitve. I have never liked the show.

[desrt]

I think there will always be people who use inappropriate comedy to try and get a laugh. Unless you can flood the producers of the show with e-mails or produce some type of economic impact by pressuring the advertisers, don't expect much to be done about it.

[copyman]

Unfortunately this is the stigma attached to HCV. Like I have posted before, until the government spends money educating people it will never change. If they spent just a fraction of what they spend on AIDS awareness it would make a big difference.

[researchmonkey326]

I saw it as well.  The actress was actually playing a parody of Ke$ha who truly looks like that (whether or not she is a drug addict I don't know).  I did not get the connection and why that would be funny to people.  The worse example that I have seen though making light of HCV was on "House", a show about the medical field and they joked about not sharing a burger with someone with Hep C.  To me that was worse - prime time TV about doctors who should know better.

[flcyclist]

Looks like it wasn't the first time and probably won't be the last.  I didn't see it, but my wife did.  She was offended.  While looking for the clip I came up with the following.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Hepatitis-C-Got-Majorly-Dissed-on-SNL-Last-Night/show/1460439

[flcyclist]

ok, found the link:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Hepatitis-C-Got-Majorly-Dissed-on-SNL-Last-Night/show/1460439

Then go down to the bottom of page, "Buble Duets" if you care to watch it.

[flcyclist]

Oops. posted the wrong link. I'm not awake yet.

http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/12/18/saturday-night-live-jimmy-fallon-michael-buble/?iid=rcfooter-tv-'snl'%3A+welcome+home%2C+jimmy

Then go down to the bottom of page, "Buble Duets" if you care to watch it.

[suezeeque]

I saw it.  I must admit, I actually stopped breathing for a couple seconds...  This isn't the first time I've seen HCV used as a joke on tv.  The first time I cried...

Before I was diagnosed, I might have thought it was funny...  Because I, like the rest of the world, was ignorant.

[jules2551]

I saw it too.  Just shook my head!  No wonder I am scared to tell the rest of my family.

Thanks SNL!

[gene53]

Ya, flcyclist's   " Buble Duets "  shows the skit if anyone wants to see it.
I know this is to be expected but it still rub's me wrong, like making fun of having aids or something.
Like you said jules, No wonder your scared to tell your family.
I felt like a leper telling my family too, as well as a few close friends.  
I was glad my close friends and family were understanding!

Honestly, I just don't get the connection either how hcv, aids, or anything like this could be used in a comedy skit or tv show as anything funny
( not to compare aids with hcv ) but you know what I mean - I think!

Gene

[jules2551]

Well they certainly didn't say "Breast Cancer".  Everyone would have been outraged.  Just the ridiculous stigma's attached to this disease.  

[hrsepwrguy]

I actually emailed them with my thoughts on it and this was their reply

Thanks for your email. NBC values your comments, but unfortunately, due to the volume of emails we receive, we cannot respond to each one. Please check our FAQ section to see if your question is answered there

Basically we are not going to read it and we don't give a shift

[jules2551]

Keith...your last line in your comment summed it all up!

[crossroadsec]

I turned it on late n missed that skit. I met Micheal Buble a few years ago n wanted to see him.
But my $.02 is that it's flattering to have a parody on SNL. Keisha is a hoot. The only thing that could have been better is if it had been Lady Gaga.
I even made up SNL skits in my head when a bunch of us started Incivik last summer. We could all be in a room w our funky symptoms. Soo I hope they'll do more. Talk about awareness??? Get Steven Tyler or Red Hot Chili Peppers as the musical guest. Anthony Kiedis wrote a song "I'm a hepper not a leper" this year.
Lol Karen :)

[crossroadsec]

Just looked up the song.. It's actually written a decade ago. I think Anthony cleared. He's back on tour. Karen

[desrt]

There used to be an AnthonyK who posted here years ago (???)
I've always wondered.

[fretboard]

This is an opportunity for big Pharma to make a commercial about regular people who don't know how they got HepC.  Maybe one of our Incivek Ambassadors can pass on the word.  That way it will show the world that regular people get it too.  Yeah, show a bunch of Army Vets who don't use dope and never have.  Just a thought!  All we can do is educate others' when possible.  A skit on SNL simply shows how widespread the ignorance of HepC is.  Educate and represent, that's all you can do.          

[gene53]

Ya, I agree better awareness for HCV would be Great. It just seemed to me like as jules mentioned if it were a parody making light of Breast Cancer or Aids, or something similar would that have been funny too?

I know, I know, I need to lighten up!!!  Agreed!!!

Gene

P.S. I think I heard something about one of the Alman Brothers doing a Hep C awareness concert or something this year.

[Willy50]

In general the skit was funny.  The Hep C thing fell flat for me.

I found in great that they mocked Russell Brand and rather odd that given he used Hep C as a punchline in his monologue/monotonolouge.

I found Brand's reference both factually and politically incorrect and injurious.  This one much less so.  Lame or flat ; oh yeah.

willy

[candyce1953]

That is terrible we should draft a group letter to the station and the show
It is the stigma that stops treatment and education about the disease

[shelby02]

Gene..you read my mind...I was just about to post on the SNL skit from last night.. I love comedies, but as I have been sick on the couch watching TV while going thru 3x tx, I have seen no less than 4 prime time shows make a joke out of HepC. They always portray an 'unclean' person who is someone to avoid. It hurt every time -  I have had this disease for 12yrs and have had to hide my diagnosis from all but my closest family- the media has created such a stigma, that it makes it hard for people w/HCV to reach out for support. I have such compassion for all of us.

[ceecee444]

Hummm just watched can't say that I am please with the show or NBC for making a joke of Hep c as we all know IT'S NOT A JOKE ...shame on them all

[Dee1956]

After trying to get my own family the seriousness of this virus and my need to treat; getting no where with them or friends, I  come here for support, compassion, caring and support
People do not understand.  We need a Rock Hudson or a Liz Taylor

So sorry
Happy Holidays
Dee

[crossroadsec]

Just talked w my daughter who saw the skit. She said it was pretty tasteless and made drug references. I think SNL is tasteless at times and pick when to watch according to guests n hosts. I probably have an odd sense of humor.
That said, I live a quiet lifestyle and thankfully have not had to address any negativity re my diagnosis last year. BUT, I avoid discussions n refer to it as a blood disorder. Would I love to see some credible media? You bet. I'll never watch House again.
Bottom line is that people are ignorant.  I have an open heart n mind and I'm always surprised by cruelty. I made a careless summary about something that many of you have had tough experience with. I sincerely assure you no harm was intended.
Peace on Earth...
Karen :)