KSL, the NBC affiliate in Salt Lake City, Utah, is apologizing for airing what many called a racist live tease during Thursday’s morning show.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the show was promoting local dance troupe, Odyssey Dance Theatre and its upcoming performance of its version of The Nutcracker. During the 6:42 a.m., tease a group of white women wearing Chinese silk dresses and Asian Bamboo cone hats danced and bowed making very exaggerated gestures. Some even looked as if they were wearing makeup to look Asian.
Soon after it aired, viewers took to Twitter posting the video.
“White Utah women. Coooool,” wrote one viewer Disco Unicorn. Soon a series of comments came in from others who took offense to the tease.
White Utah women. Cooooool pic.twitter.com/BkrBmyZ5jK
— The Disco Unicorn 🏳️🌈 (@TheDiscoUnicorn) November 15, 2018
Finally, KSL tweeted an apology.
“This is from a series of reports KSL did profiling Odyssey Dance Theater’s Nutcracker performance. The women in costume are members of the theater’s cast. In showcasing their upcoming show, we certainly did not intend to offend and sincerely regret any hurt this segment caused.”
This is from a series of reports KSL did profiling Odyssey Dance Theater’s Nutcracker performance. The women in costume are members of the theater’s cast. In showcasing their upcoming show, we certainly did not intend to offend and sincerely regret any hurt this segment caused.
— KSL (@KSLcom) November 15, 2018