Hollywood's portrayal of Asian women in media is historically upsetting. Harmful stereotypes, hypersexualization, and fetishization have played into onscreen projects for decades, including on NBC's The Office. Actress Kat Ahn recently opened up to The Washington Post about how her guest spot on the comedy show's "A Benihana Christmas" episode resulted in her being the butt of racist jokes.
In the 2006 episode, Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) calls Benihana "Asian Hooters" and marks the arm of one Asian waitress with Sharpie so he can tell her apart from another. Michael's behavior across the show's tenure is knowingly problematic, meant to be a parody of ignorant bosses in workplaces nationwide. However, for Ahn, this storyline still remains hurtful 15 years later. Ahn said she was "just there to be the joke" and felt powerless. "You're told to shut up and be grateful," she said. "Actors have no power until they become a star.
In the 2006 episode, Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) calls Benihana "Asian Hooters" and marks the arm of one Asian waitress with Sharpie so he can tell her apart from another. Michael's behavior across the show's tenure is knowingly problematic, meant to be a parody of ignorant bosses in workplaces nationwide. However, for Ahn, this storyline still remains hurtful 15 years later. Ahn said she was "just there to be the joke" and felt powerless. "You're told to shut up and be grateful," she said. "Actors have no power until they become a star.
- 3/29/2021
- by Karenna Meredith
- Popsugar.com
Kat Ahn is an actress who appeared in the December 2006 episode of “The Office” titled “A Benihana Christmas,” but she tells The Washington Post (via Vanity Fair) nearly 15 years later that her appearance on the show was used for nothing more than punchlines about her Asian identity. The episode centers on Michael Scott (Steve Carell) going to the eponymous restaurant, which he nicknames “Asian Hooters,” and ends with him using a sharpie on one of two Asian waitresses he brings back to his office Christmas party so that he can tell them apart. Ahn starred as one of the two waitresses.
Speaking to The Post, Ahn said her excitement on landing a guest role on the popular NBC sitcom (then in its third season) deflated after she realized she was “just there to be the joke.” The actress added, “You’re told to shut up and be grateful. Actors have...
Speaking to The Post, Ahn said her excitement on landing a guest role on the popular NBC sitcom (then in its third season) deflated after she realized she was “just there to be the joke.” The actress added, “You’re told to shut up and be grateful. Actors have...
- 3/29/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
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