A controversial quip featured on a recent episode of CBS' "Mike & Molly" has prompted Native American groups to seek an apology from the network.
During last week's show, Mike's mom Peggy, played by actress Rondi Reed, was shocked by the suggestion that she might move to Arizona. "Have you ever been to Arizona?" she asked. "It’s nothing but a furnace full of drunk Indians.”
The Native American Journalists Association was quick to respond.
"Why a highly entertaining show like 'Mike & Molly' would need to resort to humor at the expense of the first peoples of Arizona, is inexplicable," the group said in a statement. "This comment shows blatant disregard for the original inhabitants of this land and perpetuates antiquated stereotypes of Native Americans.
"NAJA supports our members at the Navajo Nation in the request for an apology from CBS for making this derogatory remark."
Navajo Nation spokesperson Erny Zah also spoke out, telling the Associated Press, “I would hope the rest of the country would be educated enough to understand we are more than what that comment made us out to be."
CBS declined to comment when contacted by The Clicker.
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