the writing and photography of Neil Kramer

A Very Special Reba

REBA2.jpg

I’m a big fan of sitcoms touching on real issues.  The 1970’s were famous for combining comedy and social issues such as rape, cancer, and race on shows like "All in the Family" and "Maude."

This noble tradition continues.  Tonight, on a very special Reba (9 pm on the WB) Reba and Jake take in a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina. (no joke)

excerpt from Reba script

Door bell rings.  Reba answers the door.  It is a large group of cold, wet, ragged, displaced mostly-African-American hurricane survivors — men, women, and children.  Jake looks furious.

Jake:  Reba, how many more refugees can we take in?

Reba:  They’re not refugees.  They’re displaced persons.

Jake:  Whatever.  We are already putting up 25 people in our guest bedroom.  When is the government gonna do their job?  It’s not our responsibility.  We’re already FLOODED with people in here.

LAUGHTER.

Reba:  Shh… don’t say that word!

MORE LAUGHTER.

Displaced person #1:  (shivering) Can we come in now, Reba?

Reba:  Sure thing, black folks, come on it.  Mi casa es su casa.

Jake:  Hold on, hold on.  Enough of all this liberal JAZZ, Reba.

Reba.  Don’t say "jazz," Jake.  You know…. New Orleans and such…

LAUGHTER.

Jake:  OK, enough of this "country music," Reba…

MORE LAUGHTER.

Reba:  Country music!  Did I hear country music? 

THE AUDIENCE EXPLODES IN APPLAUSE.  REBA PICKS UP A GUITAR.

Reba:  Here’s a song I wrote in honor of all the lovely people touched  by Hurricane Katrina.

REBA SINGS A SONG TITLED "THE WINDS CAN’T TAKE AWAY MY LAUGHTER."

12 Comments

  1. tinapopo

    That’s really touching. I can’t wait to download the pirated version of what is sure to be the next “We Are The World.” Way to go, Rebs.

  2. MA

    Oh dear lord.

  3. M

    ooh.
    burn.

  4. JJ

    That was brilliant. You skewered five different Hollywoodisms in post.

  5. Colleen

    I think Reba just jumped the shark.

  6. alleyrat

    i like it when you’re tasteless.

  7. Susan

    *groan* I can only imagine…

  8. Bill

    If you shot that script, you probably wouldn’t get an Emmy. But you’d probably get at least three days worth of promo clips on Entertainment Tonight. (Maybe one of the hosts could guest star?) Brilliant!

  9. Megan

    I love Tasteless Neil. This was classic. What’s most pathetic about this is the fact that I wouldn’t be surprised if a show did something like this.

  10. miss marisol

    Yes, this reminds of the very special episode of Family Ties when they participated in Hands Across America and invited everyone back to their house afterwards for dim sum.

  11. He's Dead, Jim!

    Ay ay ay! That is a classic worthy of the likes of the Dave Chappelle Show. Remember his skit on “The Niggars?”
    Thanks for the belly laugh.
    Namaste.
    ~HDJ

  12. The Moviequill

    that brought tears to my eyes… Reba’s singing always makes me jab my retina with a #2 pencil

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