Ventriloquist Michael Harrison

[Mitzzie]

We just got off the Fantasy last week and saw the family friendly show by Ventriloquist Michael Harrison. He was ok and all but one part of his show has really bother me and I actually wanted to go guest services and mention it but I didn't. In one of his skits he took out a pad of paper and a sharpie maker, he proceeded to take a big sniff of the marker and said something like " gets me through the day"( not sure of exact words but something similar). Am I the only one who finds this totally inappropriate at a kids show!? I have had discussions with my young teenage son about stiffing markers in the past, it's not as harmless as people like to think, there is a real problem with young teens and huffing household products and I feel it was totally inappropriate for Disney to allow that in the show. I just wanted to see if anyone else feels the same way. I think I will contact Disney Cruise line some way and mention it, I don't want the guy fired or anything but maybe he could leave that part of the show out.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

While I don't see it as being inappropriate for a family show, especially considering what's considered family friendly these days, you are free to let DCL know your opinion. Comedy is often about pushing limits, buttons, etc...

Could have been worse, could have been Bob Saget.

 

[TDC Nala]

Wouldn't bother me in the least. Markers are the least of the kids' problems these days.

Bob Saget.....whoa that was a doozy.

 

[Mitzzie]

Yes Bob Saget would be totally inappropriate. I just feel it's inappropriate because basically people sniff sharpies to get a quick high. In this day and age we need start teaching at a young age about the dangers of substance abuse. His show could just be as entertaining without that one tiny thing.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Yes Bob Saget would be totally inappropriate.

Yeah, DCL didn't think so at one point. Apparently no one ever saw his stand up act and was just thinking of him as Danny Tanner, the aw shucks dad. They learned their lesson lol.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

It doesn't bother me, because kids don't over-think it the way adults do.

 

[ahain]

It doesn't bother me, because kids don't over-think it the way adults do.

I agree.

Random thought....reading this thread made me think about my high school days (WAY back then!) and the wonderful smell of freshly copied mimeograph paper...remember those blue/purple copies and how wonderful they smelled? I'm pretty sure I may have klilled one or two brain cells. Sorry...I don't mean to trivialize the issues related to kids and substance abuse...I know it's an issue....but I also think that we need to be careful about "overthinking" things as PP said. Some people even seem to look for things to be upset about or offended over. For me, life is too short for that.

 

[emilyann415]

It doesn't bother me, because kids don't over-think it the way adults do.

I agree with this. I also think you can't shelter your kids from every reference to every bad thing out there. I guess I feel there is such a thing as over protecting them. They will hear this and MUCH worse on television, movies they watch, just talking with their friends. Heck, even watching the drinking that goes on on the ship for example. If it bothers you, I think that you did the appropriate thing....talk to you child about it, tell them your concerns. Most kids just won't get it. I wouldn't personally be worried.

 

[TDC Nala]

Disney apparently had no actual experience with Bob Saget's standup act. He won't be back, it seems.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Random thought....reading this thread made me think about my high school days (WAY back then!) and the wonderful smell of freshly copied mimeograph paper...remember those blu/purple copies and how wonderful they smelled?

YES!! Oh how our class LOVED the 'fragrance.' That all changed with technology.

Ahain, I just noticed your signature line, we're very close in age. I was in elementary school in the 1960s.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I agree.

Random thought....reading this thread made me think about my high school days (WAY back then!) and the wonderful smell of freshly copied mimeograph paper...remember those blue/purple copies and how wonderful they smelled? I'm pretty sure I may have klilled one or two brain cells. Sorry...I don't mean to trivialize the issues related to kids and substance abuse...I know it's an issue....but I also think that we need to be careful about "overthinking" things as PP said. Some people even seem to look for things to be upset about or offended over. For me, life is too short for that.

YES!! Oh how our class LOVED the 'fragrance.' That all changed with technology.

Ahain, I just noticed your signature line, we're very close in age. I was in elementary school in the 1960s.

Evidently, I'm a bit younger than you, but I totally remember mimeographs! I was one of the kids that immediately brought the paper up to my nose for a good whiff! I was in elementary school in the 70's, but was still using mimeographs when I worked for my college in the 80's.

 

[BarbossasWench]

I would be concerned if he was a 'role model' for youth - the Captain of the Ship, The Cruise Director, etc.; but I don't see Michael Harrison as such. In fact, his character comes of as kind of a 'fool' so the fact that he's doing something dumb like sniffing markers actually works for the best for the youngsters.

 

[wcw57]

ya know, i was just wondering, what do you call those things that live under bridges??????

 

[jrabbit]

Disney apparently had no actual experience with Bob Saget's standup act. He won't be back, it seems.

Back in 2005 BS (Bob Saget) was on the first ever WBPC by DCL. I remember hearing horror stories about his performance on the ship.

Fast forward to August and we are on the ship heading back to Port Canaveral from LA and we too had someone totally inappropriate on the Walt Disney Theater stage. Don't remember the guy's name - but he only got to do half of his show for the late show folks (and Michael Harrison stepped in to round out that evening's entertainment). This guy didn't even get to do a late night adults only show - and he was stuck on the ship slinking around until we got to the next port. Officers onboard were horrified.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I feel this is TOTALLY inappropriate and would have marched to GS so fast I would have been a blur! I'm shocked to read about this and, frankly, quite surprised that more people aren't bothered by this.

Wow.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Being 25(26) in March I don't think as much as parents. I don't find this bad, now if he had a can of spray paint and did that would be another story.

 

[Saamh]

He was on a previous cruise we sailed on and I didn't think anything of his Sharpie sniff. It seemed more along the lines of how the pps mention the smell of mimeographs or that smell when you open a new box of crayola crayons. More like a nostalgic thing - not a wiffing to get high sort of comment.

 

[sambycat]

the aristocats????

hahahahahahahahah this is my bob saget/disney joke of the day.

thank you and don’t forget to tip your waitress

 

[disprincess4ever]

If you're concerned about what your kids will think, tell them it was one of those fruit scented markers that are safe to smell.

 

[momof2n2]

We just got off the Fantasy last week and saw the family friendly show by Ventriloquist Michael Harrison. He was ok and all but one part of his show has really bother me and I actually wanted to go guest services and mention it but I didn't. In one of his skits he took out a pad of paper and a sharpie maker, he proceeded to take a big sniff of the marker and said something like " gets me through the day"( not sure of exact words but something similar). Am I the only one who finds this totally inappropriate at a kids show!? I have had discussions with my young teenage son about stiffing markers in the past, it's not as harmless as people like to think, there is a real problem with young teens and huffing household products and I feel it was totally inappropriate for Disney to allow that in the show. I just wanted to see if anyone else feels the same way. I think I will contact Disney Cruise line some way and mention it, I don't want the guy fired or anything but maybe he could leave that part of the show out.

I think it's inappropriate, OP.