Sitcom charged with racism

After Monday’s episode on “How I Met Your Mother” generated a firestorm of anger — from Asian-Americans and others — the producers of the hit CBS sitcom apologized for the show which many took as racist.

In the episode, Jason Segal’s character is taught kung fu moves by castmates Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Radnor, Cobie Smulders and Alyson Hannigan. The Twitter-verse blew up earlier this week with many Asian-Americans outraged by what they felt was reinforcing outdated, stereotypical images of Asians, played by Caucasian actors.

Show co-creator Carter Bays apologized via Twitter in multiple tweets: “With Monday’s episode we set out to make a silly and unabashedly immature homage to Kung Fu movies, a genre we’ve always loved. But along the way we offended people. We’re deeply sorry, and we’re grateful to everyone who spoke up to make us aware of it.”

†Meanwhile the husband of another CBS sitcom star — Kaley Cuoco’s new hubby Ryan Sweeting — clearly isn’t worried he’s repeated a tattooing move other stars have come to regret. (Think Johnny Depp having to shorten “Winona Forever” to “Wino Forever” — after splitting with Winona Ryder.)

Sweeting has inked a huge “Kaley” — plus their New Year’s Eve wedding date in big Roman numerals — on his forearm.

Let’s hope the marriage DOES last as long as the tattoo — i.e. forever.