Sweet Holy Moly. You might have seen the new Metro PCS commercials with Indian tech support pitchmen Ranjit and Chad. They’re selling you the Metro PCS on their Tech and Talk “talk” show. (Way better than the Scotch Korean Starburst commercials.) A you can see from the picture their down with the American hip hop culture.
We’re definitely seeing more Indian Americans on TV. Unlike this commercial, most don’t have an Indian accent including Daniel Pudi on Community, Aziz Ansari on Parks and Recreation, Mindy Kaling on The Office, and Maulik Pancholy on 30 Rock and Weeds to name a few. Some still have accents like Kunal Nayyar on Big Bang Theory and a slight accent for Iqbal Theba on GLEE. It’s just a matter of time before commercials will lose the accent too.
BTW – look for more Indian American comedies to appear on TV soon. Some say it’s the Slumdog Millionaire effect.
MetroPCS Commercial Tech & Talk: Spicy News
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MetroPCS Commercial Tech & Talk: Shaming
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MetroPCS Commercial Tech & Talk: Charmer
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Update: New Tech & Talk Metro PCS commercials added
MetroPCS Commercial Tech & Talk: Travel Slide Show
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MetroPCS Commercial Tech & Talk: Relationship Woes
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This commercial is racist and sterotypes people of Indian origin! I'm not laughing at this one. What is so funny about someone's accent? Does it make people laugh? Why don't we see fun being made of people with Chinese accents? Because there is a much larger Chinese community in the US that would speak out againt it.
This commercial must be stopped immediately!
Tricky one, but have to say we should all laugh at our differences to celebrate them.
It seems to me that this is another example of Indians portraying themselves as laughing stocks. The humor is rudimentary and crass, the basis of which the individuals themselves are the joke and not the material. In the case of this commercial the joke perpetuates the notion that people that look and sound this way are in no way to be taken seriously.
It's okay to laugh at yourself BUT this is typical of Indians of American origin having a major inferiority complex, wanting to be "more American" than "real, true white" Americans. Everyone else is embracing all aspects of the genius that Indian culture has produced for five millennia. Indian-Americans brats are just in it for the money and will regret it when they're not seen as anything but Asian "nigg$34ers" by a new generation of right-wing racists.
I for one hate all there commercials and would never buy service from an American company that uses these idiots to try and sell there products. Most of the time I can't understand a word that these guys are saying. Besides that, Metro PCS cell phone service is the worst service anywhere around. Everyone I know that has used it, said there calls drop more than 90% of the time.
These PCS commercials are done in poor taste and they are definitely racist and crass. Indians are portrayed as such dimwits that I don't think anyone is laughing. I don't know what kind of people are running this company but they really need to get their act together.
Even if I was thinking of getting Metro PCS phone service… after watching this commercial, I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole.
I think they are being used like cartoon characters on much the same level as that gecko with the cockney accent. The company no doubt was well aware of the controversy that would be blooming after airing the commercials. It works well every time and again as they say “bad publicity gets your name out there”. Unfortunately these comments are just helping to feed the machine that sells the products, that is America for ya.
The real joke is how much more successful Indians in this country are than the average white guy. Everyone needs to relax.
The commercial is only mildly racist. The real problem is that the commercial is spectacularly unfunny. I change channels whenever this commercial comes on to avoid the inevitable turning of the stomach.
I hate talking to Indian people on the phone when I call most customer service and helpdesks. What makes Metro PCS think that putting Indian people on their commercials will make me want to use their services. To me, it’s like putting salt in a wound. It makes me want to stay clear of Metro PCS because when I call them for help, I am likely going to get a knuckle head like these two on the phone.
METROPCS ROCKS!!!!!!
HEY HEY HEY!!!!
first of all metro pcs sucks!!! they get no service anywhere..they need to hire some indians to fix their service and have the white people do the commercials!!!!
all i have to say about this bull s##T is that as long as Indians are the richest minority in the US, I aint trippin!!!!!!
Definitely in bad taste. Not funny … stupid. I would never do business with MetroPCS.
What a bunch of idiots.
How funny…a commercial that brings Indians and people who can’t stand Indians together in common loathing.
It is simply meant to be funny. In the commercials they are mocking Caucasians. The Caucasians are silly. Maybe we should act like them. And in doing that they are silly. It is unbelievable how people try to complain about everything. But you same people would be the first to protest at rallies, like you care. Until it is something you do not like. They have freedom of speech. If you like, complain about it. But do not have it stopped, or taken off the air. Do what some have written, do not use MetroPCS, change the channel. But anyway, it is funny. Just be happy we can complain.
These commercials are in very poor taste. I have never considered Metro PCS before, and now, I never will. I’m tired of the so-called Indian accent being sold by most American media. It’s getting old…give it up!
All of you people need to take a chill pill….what’s the fuss about..? Just watch the damn commercial, and if you don’t like it go hit your head on the wall. I agree with Pete you people complain too much besides, they have rights like any other American.
I get it to some degree. The name “Chad” is a spoof of those call-center workers in South Asia who adopt an “American sounding” name (“Hi – this is Steve. How may I assist you?”) even though they haven’t tried to force an American sounding accent.
I would also note that there are Spanish language versions of these commercials for Metro PCS using the same set. I was going through several channels and came across one. Those seemed to be more targeted towards those who watch Latin American television, as it seemed more like the vibe of a Spanish language variety show.
Relax. It’s a commercial. Besides, isn’t it the truth? Don’t Indians have the IT industry practically covered? I see more Indians in the US than any other ethnicity. It doesn’t mean anything derrogatory or insulting. It just plays on what everyone knows. Indians + IT + US + H1B = Work. God bless you all and all my colleagues (Indian and non-Indian).
The irony here is that these commercials are not a slam against Indian culture but more of a spoof on American culture and stereotypes. It pokes fun at blacks, whites, hispanics and jews equally. Take a closer look…the comentary is quite clear.
This ad was supposed to be funny,but doesnt make me laugh. who cares its metropcs, the worst mobile phone company. i find this ad irritating and racist as well.
As an immigrant in the United States, I’m sure my opinion doesn’t matter to a certain type of American. That would be those amazing types that see EVERYTHING as racist and are ALWAYS looking for the next victim to rescue.
Give me a break! I’ve actually had this happen to me in person. Once someone asked me if I liked Mexican food (because I came from Spain) and this other “PC hero” stepped in to say “just because he’s from Spain doesn’t automatically mean he like’s Mexican food! Ahhhh, thank you of hero! LOL Its funny how the “PC hero” was the racist one because race was always on his mind. And that is problem with America, primarily stupid nosey liberal white people.
Okay, my take on this (and my friend who is FROM INDIA) is that these two totally nerdy tech guys doing a show, and as immigrants to the US using both their Indian culture and American culture with humor to sell a product. And we both love it! No one cried racism when “Hanz and Franz” or the two Czech “wild and crazy guys” were on SNL. Someone at work told my friend that “Abu” on the Simpsons was totally racist and she said “wait a minute, I’m from India and we (her friends) totally love him!”
But of course as two immigrants, I’m sure we’re racists too because unless there is a nosey liberal person there to save us… we don’t know better.
PS Someone once responded to my post accused me of being a racist white guy because my English was too perfect for an immigrant and that I was faking it. LOVE HOW RACISM is okay when Liberals do it. Thank you for saving me “PC heros” but not thank you. In my broken English, f*ck off and grow a pair.
Are you trying to copy NyNySportsSports funny commercial which has been launched by SNY Tv.
Dear you are far far away from them. Better focus on your business instead copying others TV commercial, Please.
These are some of the funniest commercials on TV today, hands down.
why does everything have to be racist, i think it’s funny, it’s not racist, people need to relax, did i comment sufficiently sir
Im from the middle east and we do have funny accent too. I would never mind if middle eastern accent being used in a commercial or tv shows because simply I consider it part of my heritage and defiantly not a negative thing about my culture. I work in the IT field with a lot of smart indian who grew up in New York and London. They some time talk with the indian accent when they are in a good mood or talk about something related to the indian accent, just for fun. I laugh then and I talk back with my funny accent. And they laugh at me, but nobody gets offended.
Most idiotic commercial I have ever seen. I turn the channel whenever it comes on. I would never buy Metro PCS because of this commercial. Hire American.
Listen to Alex. The commercial is funny as hell what with the idioms that make not much sense to the average American. The Indians run the cell phone world. Metro just puts it right in your face. Oh, boo hoo I have to speak to an Indian when I call the help desk. That’s the way of the world.
Why is everyone hung up on racism. There’s nothing racist about this commercial unless you are racist. It’s just a commercial and Ranjit and Chad probably speak perfect english which most people do not. Doesn’t anyone know how to laugh at something just cause it strikes you as being funny? Remember: “If your donkey is old, Get a new donkey, A young cool donkey” Ha! There I said it so I guess I’m a racist cause everytime I see this commercial I laugh and I would change to Metro PCS in a minute if I got a signal where I live. Ranjit & Chad are great and I hope their bank accounts are full!
The racism is NOT about Indians, whatevery one seems to miss and no one wants to really admit is the racism is putting a “white person” in the cone of silence and then placing a dunce cap on the white guy. If the commercial had put any other ethnic race with a dunce cap, holy cries of racism would be all over and if it were black person, Jesse Hijack son would be squeezing Metro PCS for money.
Just goes to show how racism is suppose to be OK when it comes against whites, but ethnic groups will not admit they have their own demons to admit.
I’m an Indian (as in curry), I speak heavily accented English (most people do not even understand what I am saying), I do not work in the Tech Industry, I like stereotypes (as a form of amusement) and I love these commercials. I am pretty sure (without any proof, or even without a Google search) that the idea was conceived by some Desi Indian in Bangalore or Madras or someplace in India. I feel good about such stuff, including Mad TV’s blatant jokes on Indians, because it means that the majority America accepts the fact that Indians are here to stay and are visible as a community of immigrants.
You do not poke fun at invisible people living on the edge; you laugh at those that are visible, that you think are substantial in number, that are competitors to you in many aspects. And one must also remember that America laughs at itself too; example: Jessica Simpson’s commercial about Buffalo Wings!
Actually, I have some even better ideas about such commercials. We need to learn to laugh at ourselves more vigorously, and also learn to chuckle when others poke us! It is all in good humour, fellas.
My final words of wisdom: If your donkey is old, buy a new, young donkey!!
These guys are TOTally brilliant! Every time I see one of their commercials, I look to see if it’s a new
one! I was thrilled just now when I watched a new spot about ‘relationships’. It features a very nerdy couple arguing about minutes. I LOVE these spots! ANYone who lives here has come from somewhere, or comes from people who are from another part of the world. I’m Canadian and the East Indian community is HUGE up there. Russell Peters of East Indian descent who grew up in Toronto is one of the most incredible comedians on the planet right now. Margaret Cho is another exceptional comedienne
who takes advantage of cultural experiences as a Korean American. And, there’s a long and marvelous American comic tradition of ‘lampooning’ just about EVERY cultural origin that makes up the mosaic of American society. I do NOT understand the comments posted here that manifest such distaste for these
delightful commercials. They’re imaginative and inventive! Keep ’em comin’!
Pathetic ad… I have absolutely nothing to do with the origin of the 2 portrayed idiots. I am an Indian and am very proud of it. Ads such as these make me puke. Its not only a mockery of American culture, but also of Indian culture. I think the company should focus more on the quality of the product and keep itself away from such nonsense and highly incompetent ads.
Awesome ads… Metro PCS keep it up, ads too funny!!!
your donkey is very old
How can the commericals be racists when that’s how they talk? Should these commercials be whitewashed. Or are only men of color accepted when American women want to bang them?
That’s what is racist because people should be accepted no matter what.
Indians can laugh at themselves as they do have a sense of humor and if the larger population enjoys the ad it should be screened. I am Indian and I just don’t find the ad humorous but i have no qualms about it. That’s the way most Indians talk outside of America and some even do in America. If Russell Peters can exploit that why not MetroPCS?
Wtf guys? its a commercial, and if its so racist why did the guys make it????? and how is airing? if it was that bad, dont you think they would have STOPPED making it by now? people enjoy the comedy, they are funny guys. some people apparently dont know how to have a good time i guess.
Old white guy here. The commercials make me laugh and make me remember the sponsor. Isn’t that what a commercial is supposed to do? Think of some fun commercials and see if you can actually name the sponsor. These spots are brilliant. And oh by the way, the company is the fifth largest cellphone carrier in the country and growing every day.
As a Indian born and raised in the US I do not find it these commercials offensive. However I cans see why these commercials can be offensive, Metro PC is not a Indian company but a Company based in Texas and this is what the white man portrays Indians. But then again its Indians who should be blamed for these kind of ads because when I call up a tech center for any situation I have a Indian person pick up the call and say “Hi thanks for calling I am Jane Riley” or “Hi I am Kris” I find that more racist than this commercials. You portray yourself as something your not. Guess what people will pick up on it and then your going to get the commercials like this or be made fun off in other ways.
I read another article where a Indian guy was in a school bus and people made fun of him and he was fighting back tears, he should be fighting the people that was making fun of them not his tears. As far as being made fun of in America every race gets made fun off Indians are no different get over it!
This ad made me cringe and change the channel when I first watched it. I cannot believe how retarded they make indians look in this. Just because a demographic is doing well financially in this country does not give anyone a license to make ads such as this. This easily one of the most blatantly racist spots in modern media and I’m ashamed to have had done business with Metro PCS for this long. Their service quality has been shitty anyway, and the only reason I didn’t terminate their service was to support the ‘little guy’. Too bad Metro PCS, this ad just helped me make up my mind.
The only thing offensive is the commercial is s**t. If you want Indian funny check the NY NY Sports Sports.
I found the commercials awkward. I don’t get what the humour is: OK so immigrants try and sometimes are off when they use American slang or other social hooks. Is that the pitch?
They make me go “huh?? umm okaaay’
This link has Metro PCS addresses to email to if you’d like to let the company itself know your opinion of the commercials.
http://www.metropcs.com/presscenter/
So there’s a show called “Outsourced” that’s about Indian helpdesk employees. Is that racist too?
That’s the most stupid commercial I’ve ever seen. I hate to see it on and just changing the channel right away. My phone contract with current company had ended, was thinking of going with Metro PCS, but when I remember that stupid commercial, nooooooooooooo wayyyyyyyyyyyyy.
To All Indians, I am south indian and lived in Mumbai during my teen years. I must tell you that even Indians are hardcore bastards when it comes to swearing, name calling, stereotyping, disgusting behavior such as name calling and making jokes about other ethnicity (particularly south indian talking in hindi) in films, commercials etc. I think that is one of human behavior everyone has to live with depending on the majority people whoever are in control. When ugly sh*t Indian accent is made jokes of by the Americans then no Indian have any right to fight for such nonsense until you fix yourself first.
I love these actors and the comedy they are doing. If you are going to judge commercials (or most popular entertainment on t.v. or in film) based on their political correctness, you probably should never watch. We’ve all been made fools of, no matter what race, ethnicity, gender. How many times have I seen “dumb blondes” and white working-class characters that I could “identify” as being targeted at my group. At least these comedians have created characters who are fun to watch, but there is no way I would associate them as representative of Indian-Americans.
This isnt prejudiced. Its freakin funny, I love it. How is an accent prejudice? I live in NYC with tons of indians, and this is how they talk, not all, some have no accent, but most do. Thats why its called an Indian accent. People have different accents, theres nothing wrong with that. Be proud of your accent. Even us New Yorks have different borough accents, like Bronx accent or long island accent.
There are always people out there who try to throw the “racist” or “prejudice” card all the time. You people need to keep that negative mind set to yourselves and let the rest of the world enjoy life!!!
I really enjoy the Metro PCS commercials with Ranjit and Chad. They are extremely humorous and while watching the commercials… I am not interested in their ethnicity at all. I just see two silly individuals making me laugh. All cell phone carriers have their drawbacks… some more apparent than others, but Metro PCS is a pretty decent company depending on your location in the States. I believe that all cultures are beautiful and we all are individuals. We cannot continue to group everyone in the same category just because of his or her race. And speaking of debunking stereotypes…
I happen to be a black female who has a rather flat butt, can’t dance a lick, has no children, been abstinate for 20 years, extremely mild mannered and compassionate, has never been in a physical altercation in my life, and gets offended by prejudice, ignorance, and most rap music. Lol!!! Have a wonderful day!