Outrage over Jacksons spoof

Entertainers on the Hey Hey It's Saturday segment wore black face paint and Afro wigs to impersonate the group – while the Michael Jackson character had his face painted white.

Guest Harry Connick Jnr slammed the sketch live on air.

The American singer said: ‘I just wanted to say on behalf of my country, I know it was done in humour ... but we have spent so much time trying to not make black people look like buffoons, that when we see something like that we take it really to heart.

‘If I knew that was going to be part of the show, I definitely wouldn’t have done it.’

The Nine Network, which broadcast the show, stopped short of apologising for the scene, but issued a statement saying: ‘It was never intended to offend and we regret any offence the act caused.’

But host Darryl Somers claimed the controversy was 'a storm in a teacup'.

Hey Hey It's Saturday was one of the longest running variety shows on Australian television, ending in 1999 after a 28-year run. However, it was revived for two specials, including last night’s controversial show – seen by more than 2.6million people.

The group who performed the Jackson sketch were all medical professionals, recreating an appearance on the show’s Red Faces talent segment that they made while students 20 years ago.

Frontman Dr Anand Deva told a Melbourne radio station: 'I am an Indian, and five of the six of us are from multicultural backgrounds and to be called a racist ... I don't think I have ever been called that ever in my life before'

Here is the offending scene:

Published: 8 Oct 2009