Ihe ‘Other’ News

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New safety regulations order shotguns used in wedding ceremonies to contain blank shells only

ordon Lightfoot’s smooth, calming voice used to negotiate Arab-Israeli peace

This Hour Has 22 Minutes search for black cast member
obviously just an attempt to get someone to play Obama

 

  

 

 

 

 

Local actor James Carver hopes to land the new opening on 22 Minutes
By J.J. McCullough

aking the openly disingenuous
claim that they are seeking
“greater diversity in our cast,”

producers of the satirical CBC comedy This
Hour Has 22 Minutes put out a recruiting
call for black, male actors this week, in what
observers have dubbed a painfully obvious
attempt to scrape up someone to play U.S.
President Barack Obama.

“22 Minutes is looking for a dynamic,
hilarious new member of our troupe,
preferably of African or Afro-Caribbean
heritage, to play a variety of roles on one
of Canada’s best-loved comedy programs,”
stated a CBC press release. “Though we
have full faith in the talents of our current
cast, we are also sensitive to the need for
the 22 Minutes crew to accurately reflect the
multicultural face of contemporary Canada.
Though we may be a comedy program, we
take seriously the CBC mandate to employ

 

 

Canadians from all walks of life, including -4
members of racial and ethnic minority
groups. Prospective black actors must be tall
and slim, with large ears and a charismatic
speaking voice capable of convincing
millions to believe that change is possible.”

“From flamboyant Zimbabwean tyrant
Robert Mugabe, to partisan firebrand Jesse
Jackson, to Hollywood superstar Will Smith,
our new cast member will be used to parody
a wide variety of politicians and celebrities
from around the world,” the press release
continued, listing three individuals who have
never, and will never be parodied on the
program.

Sources close to the CBC speaking on
the condition of confidentiality confirm that
while the new actor will spent upwards of 90
per cent of his 22 Minutes career parodying
the U.S. president, the possibility that he will
occasionally be asked to appear in drag and
portray Governor General Michaélle Jean
“has not been ruled out.”

 

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