Broadcast date: August 23, 2001 (taped the previous day)

The fiercest debate in the history of this ABC Bill Maher talk show.To see the Silverman joke that caused the controversy and her previous appearance on “Politically Incorrect” where she attacked Aoki--which led to this debate with him--watch the “History of MANAA” video.

   • History of Media Action Network for A...  


Check out our website http://www.manaa.org and newsletter website http://www.newsletter.manaa.org

History behind this episode:

July 11, 2001: Comedian Sarah Silverman uses the racial slur “chink” on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien.” Although MANAA understands the context of the joke, it isn’t appropriate to use such a hateful word to get laughs.

July 17: The Associated Press picks up the story.

July 18: MANAA’s Founding President Guy Aoki speaks with Silverman’s manager Geoff Cheddy, who wants to send a letter Silverman has written Aoki.

July 19: Reuters runs Silverman’s response.

July 20: Aoki asks Cheddy why he didn’t send Silverman’s letter (Cheddy admits he had her re-write it after talking to him). It’s finally sent on July 23. Silverman says she appreciates the work Aoki does and feels the incident “should not make us enemies.” Aoki responds that day agreeing. She doesn’t respond. Instead…

July 26: Silverman goes on Bill Maher’s “Politically Incorrect” (her manager Brad Grey was co-producer of show) to blast Aoki for chastising her for using the joke. The episode features conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and comedian Howie Mandel who make light of the situation, and host Bill Maher is openly hostile to Aoki and MANAA saying they’re expressing “fake pain.”

July 30: After the producers return from vacation, Aoki speaks with a producer and demands equal time; she refuses. The following day, the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC) has a meeting with ABC President Alex Wallau and his executives. Karen Narasaki, chair of the APAMC, blasts them for not giving Aoki equal time and Maher for defending a racial slur against Asian people. Wallau later reviews the tape, agrees “it was bad,” and forces the producers of “Politically Incorrect” to invite Aoki to debate Silverman.

August 22: The debate is taped live for broadcast the following day.In interviews and her autobiography, Silverman has never told the full truth of the circumstances leading up to the fiery debate, conveniently not mentioning her attempt to blindside Aoki with her previous appearance on “Politically Incorrect.”



Formed in 1992, Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) is the only group solely dedicated to monitoring the media and advocating for balanced, sensitive, and positive depiction and coverage of Asian Americans. Since 1999, the non-profit/all-volunteer organization has been a founding member of the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC), which meets regularly with the top four television networks—ABC, CBS, NBC & Fox--and pushes for better inclusion of Asian Americans in front of and behind the camera.