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April 13, 2009

"Anti-Christ" crucified in the philippines

I know that comedy is really little more than a form of social commentary which allows normally taboo subjects to be commented on in a socially acceptable manner. But renowned TV and radio personality in Australia John Safran takes it to a whole 'nother level where very few dare to tread. Past televised stunts have included running naked through the streets of Jerusalem calling for a priest to forgive him for masturbating in bed and a 2004 stunt for his award-winning series John Safran Vs. God where he tried to join the Ku Klux Klan in California. Clearly the bio of a guy unafraid of pushing the envelope far beyond where mere mortal comedians typically go.

Apparently Safran has decided to turn his attention to race relations. Over Easter weekend he had himself crucified in the Philippines as part of his new series called John Safran's Race Relations. Naturally he did it wearing a Monty Python-esque wig of long hair.

But he told the locals in charge of the traditional Philippine Catholic crucifixion spectacle that his name was John Michael and that he was a converted Roman Catholic, along with an elaborate apparent tale. Reportedly most foreigners chicken out at the last minute so Safran apparently won the admiration and respect of locals by actually going through with it and for not uttering a sound as the nails were driven through his hands and feet.

Having found out on Saturday that Safran is actually a Jewish comedian... well, the locals are NOT amused.

Buboy Dionisio, nailed to the cross along with Safran, who was sporting a Monty Python-style wig, said he could not understand why the comedian and his producers had falsely claimed to be making a serious TV show.

"John Safran gave us a false name. He said he was John Michael and he never told us he wanted to make a show that would say funny things about our religion and that would be anti-Christ," Mr Dionisio said.

"John Safran's producer told us he was making a National Geographic kind of show about different religious practices."

Safran, Mr Dionisio said, had suffered some bleeding to his hands and feet after the crucifixion but seemed otherwise OK.

The comedian and his crew - believed to be filming for an ABC TV series to be screened this year, John Safran's Race Relations - were threatened with deportation and forced to sign an affidavit pledging not to use footage mocking crucifixion rituals.

Mr Dionisio alerted the National Bureau of Investigation and the Manila airport security centre to hold the ABC crew if they failed to apologise.

So I'm wondering what it would take to get Safran to take on our TheoCons with his brand of comedy?

Posted by Kevin at April 13, 2009 11:59 AM