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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."