TV
Channel 10 apologises for autism joke
Published Wednesday, Apr 21 2010, 08:10 BST | By Rebecca Davies
Channel Ten has apologised for a series of jokes targeting children with autism.
The Australian network's TV show Good News Week, which is hosted by Paul McDermott, caused outrage when comedian Russell Kane made fun of children with the disorder, which affects communication skills.
Kane told McDermott on the show that his comedy festival team "went at you like an autistic kid on a drum, we destroyed you".
After the comments, many parents contacted the network to demand an explanation and an apology.
A spokesperson for the television channel told the AAP: "We are sorry for any offence the autistic comment may have caused but felt Good News Week host Paul McDermott's immediate comment of, 'You can see they don't like autistic humour here,' made it clear it was a step too far."
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities Bill Shorten said: "I love a good laugh and comedy and I'm not a wowser. But where it stereotypes vulnerable children it goes too far. What don't they understand about making fun of a disabled kid?"
The Australian network's TV show Good News Week, which is hosted by Paul McDermott, caused outrage when comedian Russell Kane made fun of children with the disorder, which affects communication skills.
Kane told McDermott on the show that his comedy festival team "went at you like an autistic kid on a drum, we destroyed you".
After the comments, many parents contacted the network to demand an explanation and an apology.
A spokesperson for the television channel told the AAP: "We are sorry for any offence the autistic comment may have caused but felt Good News Week host Paul McDermott's immediate comment of, 'You can see they don't like autistic humour here,' made it clear it was a step too far."
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities Bill Shorten said: "I love a good laugh and comedy and I'm not a wowser. But where it stereotypes vulnerable children it goes too far. What don't they understand about making fun of a disabled kid?"
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