Comedian John Safran

Comedian John Safran’s new series, Race Relations, screens on the ABC-TV on Wednesday, October 21 at 9.30pm. What do you think of the show? Send us your comments.

INTERVIEW BY ADAM KAMIEN

The Australian Family Association has described your new show John Safran’s Race Relations as the lowest point in the history of Australian television. Do you court controversy?

The thing that’s funny to me about the Family Association and the Herald Sun getting angry is that with my work – not just this series – I’m not even talking to them. My style is I’ve got this audience and I try to wind that audience up. It’s not like Michael Moore who has his audience and then tries to rile up the enemies of his audience. I just want to say to the Herald Sun and the Family Association “seriously, I’m so not trying to annoy you”, but it’s like I’ve inadvertently annoyed them or something.
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John Safran … new TV series.

ADAM KAMIEN

COMEDIAN John Safran’s new show has caused a public outcry, even though its debut on ABC TV is still days away.

The Australian Family Association last week hit out at the show, John Safran’s Race Relations, describing it as “filth”.

In episode one of the series, in which Safran explores interracial attraction, the former Yeshivah College student donates sperm at a Palestinian sperm bank while looking at a picture of US President Barack Obama.

He also steals women’s underwear to perform “sniff tests”. In a later episode, Safran is crucified as part of a religious ritual in the Philippines.

But the scene that will likely generate the most controversy in the Jewish community involves Safran going to his mother’s grave, with a shovel and a Kabbalah prayer book to discover what she thinks of him marrying a non-Jew.
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