Oh man, I couldn't even watch it, and I love Marlo Thomas. She must really cringe if it ever comes up. Fortunately, at least it's a comedic role, but that might make it even worse.
What's bad is she speaks in that "no tickee, no washee" mock Chinese patois.
Plus Bonanza was never known for nuanced characterizations, so she ends up looking really silly.
Jesus! You better post this on Twitter right away so she can be canceled. I think she still does some charity commercials on TV now and then.
shareLike I said, I always had a thing for Marlo so I don't wish any ill on her. I also understand it was a different time and this stuff was accepted. This was also pre-That Girl so she likely just wanted the work while a seasoned actress would have declined.
But a lot of Bonanza episodes are simply bad on any level. They tried to do comedy eps like this one, and cultural concerns aside, it was still awful even for it's time, I would imagine.
Why should she cringe? I thought she was adorable in it and I enjoyed the episode very much.
shareThanks for the reply.
I'm glad you enjoyed the episode. I wouldn't mind giving it another try should the occasion arise, but for me Bonanza was too often Western lite, mixing in too much comedy over some sense of peril and veritas which I prefer.
Mostly I was so surprised to see her, and in that role, I was really taken aback. But if it's all meant to be fun, I don't have a problem with it. These days it definitely wouldn't "fly" unless maybe it was some sort of stage production ala Gilbert and Sullivan and seen as farce and a vehicle for a particularly notable performer.
So, they got Marlo Thomas to play an Asian woman instead of, oh I don't know, casting an Asian woman to play the part at the time?? Either way, Phil Donahue is a lucky man
shareActually if you listen to the dialogue, the character is not supposed to be fully Chinese. She tells the Cartwrights that her father was a Persian rug trader. So it sort of fits in with Marlo Thomas's ethnicity.
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