NBC Axes Jackie Clarke Comedy Project 'Mail Order Family' After Activist Uproar

NBC dumped the comedy “Mail Order Family” late Friday, after intense criticism that the proposed series would perpetuate damaging stereotypes.

The project, from “Superstore” writer-producer Jackie Clarke, is about a single dad who obtains a mail-order bride from the Philippines to raise his young children. Clarke, a comic and writer who was raised by a Filipina stepmother, based the pitch on her own life.

But critics quickly accused the concept of trading on harmful stereotypes about Asian-Americans and making light of the very real problem of sex trafficking. A #CancelMailOrderFamily campaign arose online. Clarke spent much of this week trying to bat away the flak she was getting on Twitter.

Also Read: NBC Orders Additional 'Superstore' Scripts (Exclusive)

“We purchased the pitch with the understanding that it would tell the creator’s real-life experience of being raised by a strong Filipina stepmother after the loss of her own mother,” an NBCUniversal spokesman wrote in a statement. “The writer and producers have taken the sensitivity to the initial concept to heart and have chosen not to move forward with the project at this time.”

Critics hailed the decision, but said NBC needed to do more.

“Our voices have been heard,” a writer on the Asian-American activism site 18MR wrote. “But the fact that such an insensitive show was green lighted by so many people is proof of the harms of the overwhelming whiteness of the media industry.”

Now, time to hold people accountable for allowing such racist content make it that far in the creative process #MailOrderFamily @nbc

– Nicko (@na10cio) October 1, 2016

#MailOrderFamily might have been dropped, but @nbc needs to do more. Call on NBC to commit to executive diversity: https://t.co/nQZQujzyk1

– Zachary Pierce Hardy (@HardyPierce) October 1, 2016

GOOD. Making light of human trafficking, degrading women & perpetuating stereotypes is never okay. #MailOrderFamily https://t.co/PGkbVgnzY7

– Mae (@adaydrmbelievr) October 1, 2016

9 People Fired or Suspended for Black Lives Matter Comments (Photos)

In light of the recent fatal shootings of Keith L. Scott and Terence Crutcher and the subsequent protests, TheWrap looks back at the people who expressed their grievances on social media during the Dallas shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling and the demonstrations that followed. Here are 9 individuals whose voices were heard -- and who got in trouble for it.
Nate Weekley, a Detroit detective, was demoted to officer after posting on Facebook that "the only racists here are the piece of s--- Black Lives Matter terrorists and their supporters," reported the Detroit News.

The Daily Mail reported that Weekley's brother, Joseph Weekley, was a cop who was charged with involuntary manslaughter after accidentally killing a 7-year-old black girl during a raid.
Facebook
The first black Miss Alabama, Kalyn Chapman, was placed on administrative leave from her job at a South Florida PBS station after she posted a video in which she called the Dallas sniper a "martyr."

Also Read: Former Miss Alabama Calls Dallas Sniper ‘Martyr,’ Suspended From TV Gig (Video)

In her video she stated: "I'm dealing with a bit of guilt" because "I value human life. And I want to feel sad for them, but I can't help but feeling like the shooter was a martyr."

TheWrap
She later told news outlet WPMI that what the shooter did "was wrong, period," adding, "maybe martyr wasn’t the right word but it was what came to mind at that time.”
Fox
Charles Beau Menefee lost his job as a news producer at CBS46 in Atlanta after a slew of Facebook posts, including one in which he said "it would be cool if someone rained gunfire down on to the ignorant human turds at the next #blacklivesmatter March."
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A South Carolina fire captain, Jimmy Morris, was fired after saying that he was going to run over Black Lives Matter protestors on Facebook, The State newspaper said. The Miami Herald reported that two other firefighters were fired in association with Morris' post.
Facebook
An Overland Park, Kansas police officer was fired after posting a menacing comment on a woman's Facebook photo, according to local channel KCTV.

Also Read: What is Black Lives Matter? A Short Explainer
KCTV
A North Carolina deputy, Andrew Sutton, was suspended after joking on Facebook about killing people and calling Black Lives Matter followers "ignorant blind sheep."
ABC13
A Tennessee deputy, Jeremy McNary, was suspended after saying Black Lives Matter protestors should be hosed for blocking a highway, according to the New York Daily News.
Facebook
McNary's uncle told the Daily News that his nephew had served in the Marines and that he is not a racist nor bad cop, referencing a time he saved a child from drowning.
New York Daily News/Facebook
Diane Amoratis, a Jefferson Health employee, condemned Black Lives Matter protestors and praised police for dealing with a "fat, braided hair, piece of s--- troublemaker..." Philly.com reported. She added that a BLM protest should have been "bulldozed."

Jefferson Health ended up posting that "the individual is no longer at Jefferson."
Philly.com
Sgt. Derek Hale, a Louisville corrections sergeant was suspended after posting a contentious Facebook meme, according to WDRB. It featured an officer with the words: "If we really wanted you dead all we’d have to do is stop patrolling your neighborhoods... and wait."

Hale's caption read: "Ha … truth."

Also Read: What Is ‘All Lives Matter’? A Short Explainer
WDRB

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BLM opponents suffered consequences for airing grievances after the protests

In light of the recent fatal shootings of Keith L. Scott and Terence Crutcher and the subsequent protests, TheWrap looks back at the people who expressed their grievances on social media during the Dallas shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling and the demonstrations that followed. Here are 9 individuals whose voices were heard -- and who got in trouble for it.

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9 People Fired or Suspended for Black Lives Matter Comments (Photos)

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