STEPHEN FRY

I think you need to look at this from a comical point of view.
I agree it may offend but on this tv show (which I also love and Australian) they have a fun habit of ripping off all cultures and nationalities.
try to not take it to heart so much.

Humour is often used by those who are fairly well informed to make points and educate.

Eddie Izzard is certainly not shy about attempting to open up the eyes of his audience through pretty rough subjects being portrayed through a humourous lens.

The aboriginal comment was at worst a tired old standby of an entertainer, and that all races have been the target or the butt of many jokes. I would take such things as they are intended, a way to get a quick chuckle without meaning any harm.

If a comedian puts a fairly serious topic in a joke or a humourous anecdote, I would assume they are using their medium to shine light on the topic rather than to belittle.

However, you can't please all the people all of the time, and I am sure that infuriates Stephen to no end.

After looking at this topic for a little bit, I think I finally have something to say about it.

To the original poster, I'm sorry that what Mr. Fry said offended you. Coming from a country and even an area where there are still racial tensions and stereotypes, I understand why you would feel that way. I am certain, though, he meant no harm by it.

To be fair to Mr. Fry, I am sure he was just referring to a particular incident and, as aranelthemithra was suggesting, trying to point out that this is a certain racist attitude that may still persist in certain areas of Australia. Or, he found said incident amusing and believed that the viewers would find it amusing too. So, what does one do when they hear a joke they like? They share it with others sometimes without the awareness that it could offend someone in their audience.

Now, if he made a blanket statement claiming that all Aboriginals believe that way, then there might be a slight problem because he just alienated a huge demographic of viewers and rubbed salt in what is still a relatively fresh wound for those viewers.

Personally, I don't find it funny just because I don't completely understand it (then again, I'm American and not especially bright so a lot of foreign humor evades me). That's all I have to say about that, off to class!