Ventriloquist Michael Harrison

[GatorMomInNC]

We have seen him twice and think he's great. Maybe I'm naive, but I don't even get why this is offensive - smelling a magic marker/ highlighter / sharpie?? I've never heard of this being a problem.

My kids enjoyed his act and so did I. Compare this to the comedian on the HAL cruise last summer. I asked ahead of time and was told he was family friendly. His show was all sexual innuendos and racial stereotypes and not even funny. My kids didn't even get it and we walked out during the show...

 

[ranidayz]

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 understand why you consider it inappropriate. There have been comics on DCL whom I thought were saying things that were just unnecessary completely. However, likely he didn't sniff the marker in a way that would have actually been instructional to kids on how to actually huff. If you feel strongly, let DCL know.

 

[lilpooh108]

OP, I think it's inappropriate. But I am really not a fan of his and dont understand why DCL keeps him on. We attended one of his shows which was full of dumb toilet humor and we walked right out. I personally think DCL can do better than this guy and his low brow humor.

 

[mtchurchmonica]

I understand where the OP is coming from. Sure, some little kids won't get the drug reference, but there are plenty of kids, even elementary aged kids, who will. Every grown-up is a role model to a little kid. They watch us like hawks.

We caught Michael Harrison's act years ago when we were on the Magic. My kids adored it. Once in a while, they still quote him. I don't remember the humor being base. Maybe, he's change.

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

Are you implying that the OP is a troll? If so, I don't understand why.

 

[jlindemer]

I agree as well. Completely inappropriate.

 

[Tinknalli]

It would have bothered me as well. It would have become a teaching moment for my kids. However, I do agree that you cannot shelter them, but should give guidance. I would not have complained.

 

[cmurray234]

I was at that show also. That didn't even ping on my radar, but I can see why you would find it inappropriate.

Mostly, I didn't find him funny. The little boy he made into the dummy was WAY funnier than he was, actually.

The other Michael (Holly I think? He was a juggler) was HILARIOUS. I watched his show for adults and I was literally crying I laughed so hard.

 

[huskydogg]

While we are at it, I'd like to make a complaint as well. On my last cruise I ran into a CM on board and he was wearing NO PANTS! I couldn't believe my eyes. He had big yellow feet, white feathers, and a big yellow bill. I guarantee he works for DCL. Just imagine what all the kids thought... Unbelievable.

 

[cmurray234]

While we are at it, I'd like to make a complaint as well. On my last cruise I ran into a CM on board and he was wearing NO PANTS! I couldn't believe my eyes. He had big yellow feet, white feathers, and a big yellow bill. I guarantee he works for DCL. Just imagine what all the kids thought... Unbelievable.

 

[danfromca]

I think DCL should only hire comedians whose humor can't possibly offend anyone onboard - and who is also incredibly funny.

Of course, I'm not sure if accomplishing that would be magic, is pure fantasy or maybe a dream, but it certainly would we a wonder.....

 

[mtchurchmonica]

I think DCL should only hire comedians whose humor can't possibly offend anyone onboard - and who is also incredibly funny.

I think the OP would agree that the act would have been just as funny without the Sharpie/drug reference.

 

[gotomu212]

This doesn't bother me and I can't imagine I would even think to say anything to my son about it. Remember those fruity markers when we were kids? Hmmm those smelled so great, and mimiograph paper was th best!

If it bothers you, complain but I personally think it's a little overreaction.

 

[southerngirl528]

I agree with Mtchurchmonica. Why does someone who is funny need a comment that would include sniffing markers? No doubt his routine would not have suffered without it. I've sen him a couple of times on various cruises and thought he was pretty funny.

Markers are readily available to young kids. A lot of items that are commonly "huffed" are not as easily attainable by minors as they used to be. Inhalants are supremely damaging to brain cells, so all that considered, it seems the ventriloquist would do well to just omit that little joke. If it's not in his routine, it can't be a problem.

 

[sweetlovin']

I just saw him for the first time, my 9yo was laughing so hard. That talking face bit was one of her favorite skits he did. When he did that sniffing routine, I saw her laughing, I turned to her and said, "I bet he eats paste too" to which she laughed and cringed at the thought of eating paste.

I never gave it much thought, then again, I've never seen one of my kids smell a marker. So I guess it didn't have the same impact on me.

His skit would have been funny without it as well, but like I said, it didn't have that same impact on me that it did to the OP.

 

[danfromca]

I think the OP would agree that the act would have been just as funny without the Sharpie/drug reference.

I expect you're right, that OP would agree with that.

I expect there are others who would have felt the show just a bit less funny without that joke.

I expect there are some who feel that the first viewpoint is correct, and because people feel that way, that joke should be removed - even though others might not enjoy the show as much.

And I expect there would be then some who find another joke not quite appropriate, so that one should go too....

And there you go....

 

[tinkerone]

I expect you're right, that OP would agree with that.

I expect there are others who would have felt the show just a bit less funny without that joke.

I expect there are some who feel that the first viewpoint is correct, and because people feel that way, that joke should be removed - even though others might not enjoy the show as much.

And I expect there would be then some who find another joke not quite appropriate, so that one should go too....

And there you go....

and as the saying goes, you can't please everybody.......

 

[Mitzzie]

Right you can't please everyone. We have had problems with a group of preteens and young teens in our area huffing not so much sharpies but it was discussed with them about the dangers of sniffing sharpies. So as you can imagine my surprise that a show on our Disney cruise geared toward children had an act with a adult sniffing a sharpie. I have told my 14 year about the dangers of household chemicals and I will tell him again and again just like I do about alcohol, drugs and smoking. That is what we do as parents. I didn't mean to cause an uproar on here, no I'm not a troll as one poster implied.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Right you can't please everyone. We have had problems with a group of preteens and young teens in our area huffing not so much sharpies but it was discussed with them about the dangers of sniffing sharpies. So as you can imagine my surprise that a show on our Disney cruise geared toward children had an act with a adult sniffing a sharpie. I have told my 14 year about the dangers of household chemicals and I will tell him again and again just like I do about alcohol, drugs and smoking. That is what we do as parents. I didn't mean to cause an uproar on here, no I'm not a troll as one poster implied.

Yes!

 

[tinkerone]

Right you can't please everyone. We have had problems with a group of preteens and young teens in our area huffing not so much sharpies but it was discussed with them about the dangers of sniffing sharpies. So as you can imagine my surprise that a show on our Disney cruise geared toward children had an act with a adult sniffing a sharpie. I have told my 14 year about the dangers of household chemicals and I will tell him again and again just like I do about alcohol, drugs and smoking. That is what we do as parents. I didn't mean to cause an uproar on here, no I'm not a troll as one poster implied.

you did not cause an uproar, you brought a legitimate feeling you have out in the open for discussion. thats never a bad thing but it does bring out others ideas about the topic. And the person who suggested your were a troll, well, i'm not sure where that came from. didn't seem like a troll posting to me or pretty much anyone else. i'll apologize for that persons comment.

my comment about not pleasing everyone was not meant to be mean so i hope you didn't read it that way. my point goes along with the post i used as my quote. you found the sharpie thing inappropriate. thats a real feeling. some others don't feel that way however reading these posts, i think there is something about a child being used as a dummy. i can see someone saying thats not appropriate. he must touch the child in some way, someone may not like that and find it should not be in the show. there is always something someone could find offensive in pretty much anything. i remember loving the Alfred and Seymor show but a lot of people commented that some of it was not child friendly.

my point is there will always be something. i think you should definitely do what you had suggested and send off an email of your concern. while others do not think this is a problem you do so you need to do what your heart tells you and don't worry about the rest.

 

[Mitzzie]

you did not cause an uproar, you brought a legitimate feeling you have out in the open for discussion. thats never a bad thing but it does bring out others ideas about the topic. And the person who suggested your were a troll, well, i'm not sure where that came from. didn't seem like a troll posting to me or pretty much anyone else. i'll apologize for that persons comment. my comment about not pleasing everyone was not meant to be mean so i hope you didn't read it that way. my point goes along with the post i used as my quote. you found the sharpie thing inappropriate. thats a real feeling. some others don't feel that way however reading these posts, i think there is something about a child being used as a dummy. i can see someone saying thats not appropriate. he must touch the child in some way, someone may not like that and find it should not be in the show. there is always something someone could find offensive in pretty much anything. i remember loving the Alfred and Seymor show but a lot of people commented that some of it was not child friendly. my point is there will always be something. i think you should definitely do what you had suggested and send off an email of your concern. while others do not think this is a problem you do so you need to do what your heart tells you and don't worry about the rest.

Thanks