A selection of positive remarks (from bulletin boards )regarding Mu-Lan's The Missing Chink

Paul Hyu and his team has made a ground-breaking TV showing. It is the first of of its kind in British TV history, made by Chinese people and it was for the British-Chinese Community. He and many others are the very few who are doing something about this. For those who did not even bother to find out what the series was about before going off in a rant, I feel should send him your thanks and apologise! Lets hope he continues his good work after all of this misinformed behaviour.

To make a blanket statement that 'chink' can't be used in any context just shows a lack of understanding. The word might make you recall bad memories, and I don't like anyone using the word 'chink' to me in the street, but writing a book or a play or TV programme about Chinese stereotypes and using the word 'chink' in the title is another matter. You can't just ignore context. I have just used the word 'chink' in the above paragraph. Does that make me racist? You said 'in any context', right? You say you agree with the shows aims and you even applaud Paul Hyu, yet by writing these complaints and encouraging others too, you are basically saying this same Paul Hyu is someone who willingly endorses a racist term and has caused hurt and offence to the Chinese community. This is the person you are applauding? Don't you think it's contradictory to applaud someone's work yet publicly campaign against them? It's fine if people hate the title or hate the show, but the danger of writing letters of complaint to Ofcom and encouraging others to do so is that the authorities and the press will portray the show in a purely negative light. Worse, it might even give the impression that Chinese people don't understand irony or can't handle a radical point of view, even when it is speaking up for them. That's why I think people should freely debate whether they liked or disliked the show, but not write letters of complaint to Ofcom.

I hope you will take a moment to read the rest of this thread hopefully see why I think writing in complaints about this programme is stupid and counterproductive. What's that about 'reintroducing the word' to Britain? The word has always been around and continues to be. Racists have always used it and always will. The term chinky was even used, incredibly, in a recent episode of 'Vicar of Dibley'. We have never done nothing to assert ourselves so the word continues to be an effective weapon against us. As Chinese people are we supposed to live in fear of a little 5 letter word? Are we supposed to keep our heads down, pretend it doesn't exist and if anyone says it, burst into tears? No-one, including me, likes to hear 'chink' in the street, but in this context we should be intelligent and mature enough to see that it has been used for a reason. I bet the Sunday Express was delighted to hear your opinions. Now, instead of the possibility of articles examing the issues raised, questioning the stereotyping of Chinese people in the UK, we will probably see articles about how the show was a 'disaster' and been shunned by Chinese people and how many complaints there have been about it. What a great result.

Tonight's show was funny and serious at the same time. They showed how members of the great British public think it's fine to make fun of Chinese people on camera, yet when asked to do the same to black people no-one dared say anything. In the takeaway one of the guys demonstrated how a tv commercial that takes the **** out of Indian or black stereotypes would never be allowed yet that is exactly what happens to Chinese people again and again. This is a valid programme, featuring by Chinese people, making serious points about racial stereotypes. I say well done to Paul Hyu and the others involved. To the people who wrote in their complaints: a dunce cap.

the only way we're going to be able to change people's persception of our race is if we let our kids go into the media and change things where they can have influence. but that's just not going happen is it?? cus we're forced to become doctors, lawyers, accountants... perhaps at a stretch - architects. [gasp] and the few of us who rebel and go and study the Arts get such a beating from the rest of our own people that its almost impossible to make it. also, to the guy who refers to himself as "the educated people" - where is the love? you sound seriously arrogant - no offence. seriously man - we are all chinese people!! we cant help being influenced by the cultures around us if we're brought up in this country can we? i think its cool to adopt and embrace other cultures as long as we know who we are - chinese. go afrobo! although i am discovering that our race is a truly awesome one - yup - worthy to be called "supreme" (without sounding arrogant). come on - lighten up! chinks rule! we just gotta get into the media scene and show ppl! hey - have you heard of Jin? he's the chinese rapper - you should check him out - you'd hate him - he stands for everything you loathe. heehee i love the guys on the missing chink - i felt SO relieved when i watched that program.

actually i think chinese people are the worst culprits when it comes to racism. gwei tao/ gwei mui / gwei loh... ah cha... aiya... thats all i'm sayin. n about the gettin into the media stuff i was talkin about? yesterday i went to see the Last Samurai [bout japanese ppl ] talks about the oriental pursuit of honour. and see when i came out? all the cock-asian people gave me and my chinese friends TOTAL respect just cus we looked oriental! it was crazy.. like - it was noticable - they smiled at us for no reason and held the doors open and stuff. pretty cool huh? see what a wee film can do? have faith in paul hyu and the missing chink people. respect to paul hyu. him and his team are pretty awesome.

Damn, it seems this 5 minute sketch show has really caused a stir! I can sympathise with both arguments being put cross, and it probably was inappropriate to use the term "chink" in the title in a World where everything has to be politically correct, but i'm in full agreement with Pangy. Paul Hyu has been very smart with what's pulled off, the moment he decided to use the title "The Missing Chink" he knew exactly how people would react and to me, I think it was a clever marketing ploy on his behalf. Look at his situation - he has a 5 minute prime-time slot on Channel 4. How will he capture the audience during a time when people usually bugger off to make a cup of tea before the next programme starts? He decided to be controversial and it's had that desired affect. It may not be ethical, but since when has advertising or marketing ever been an ethical business? If someone really is a racist, then they'll be like that no matter what they watch or hear.

Damn that was short! These guys need a longer show. The vox pops at the end were interesting.

I thought it was funny...but kinda short. MORE, MORE, MORE!

If some other programme, not made by Chinese people had used the word 'chink' then yes, I would agree with your complaint, but if you look into the background of this programme you will see that it is supposed to be confronting stereotypes and racist attitudes. It looks like they are going to be fairly bold and take the p*** out of people with stereotyped views (but obviously we should watch the show first before deciding). By launching a campaign like this you are basically striking a blow against the Chinese people involved in the programmes, without showing any understanding of the context of the programmes, who they are aimed at, or what it will be saying. I don't think this is a good idea at all. When the rappers Niggers With Attitude came out, did people suddenly start saying "Hello niggers" to black people, just because there was a successful group whose name used that word? No they didn't. People who are racist will use the word 'chink' regardless of what this programme is called. People who don't use that term are not going to suddenly start using it now, just because of the programme. This 'fear' is unrealistic and even paranoid. But if the programme does what I expect, i.e. take the p*** out of media stereotypes of Chinese people, then it should have a positive, not a negative effect on the way we are perceived. Don't pre-judge the programme as being bad for us, just because of it's 'in your face' title. If this complaint thing gets out of hand there is a risk that some people will end up looking stupid - like they are too thick or not sophisticated enough to understand the irony - which I definitely don't want to happen. How often is there a British Chinese show on TV? How many chances have there been for Chinese actors and performers to speak out? Here is one opportunity and before you've even seen the show you want to launch an attack on it.

I think the title is ironic really, the general stereotype of chinks(or orientals on a whole) is probably what has prevented any orientals breaking through in the western entertainment world. It's telling everyone running take-aways and being accountants isn't our only way of thinking! Being politically correct all the time is boring! Knowing Channel 4, these mini episodes will be screened at a ridiculously late hour just before the Countdown repeats, as their prime-time slots are filled with people getting their hair cut and trying extremely hard to stay awake

Quotes from a selection of Emails (from previously unknown correspondents) to Mu-Lan after the show was aired:

The Chinese are definitely not known for their ability to laugh at themselves, maybe because their psyche is used to dealing with being laughed at. Hopefully when the dust has settled, and you feel less sore, you'll have some time and space to .".....pick yourself up, dust yourself down.....and start all over again!"

We see that you are getting a fair amount of flak for the title of the show. It was unfortunate that the bandwagon appeared to get rolling long before the series did and we suspect that many of those who were critical before watching the programmes do not feel able to reconsider. We believe the Chinese community deserves to be better represented in many walks of life and that more positive images of Chinese people in Britain would help to dispel the myths and stereotypes that abound. Our experience, and that generally of immigrant communities, is that comedy and humour are an effective way of communicating a communities feelings and ideas to the wider public in a way that is likely to gain empathy. We believe that those who complain are being short sighted. The effect of thier complaints may well be that future productions by Chinese actors/writers/comedians won't get onto our TV Screens. After all, the easy answer to these critisisms is to avoid taking risks.

I caught the program 'Missing chink' on channel four and was very impressed. Job well done! I am of oriental background and could easily relate to the message.

I've been to the 'mu-lan' website and would love to be involved. I am eager to learn more about your latest productions as well as any future projects you may be working on. Thank you.

Great that you have created such an impact with the show! Congratulations.

I very much enjoyed the short sketches Your usage of "Chink" was witty, and the sketches were very funny. In other context and usage, the word would make me issue furious complaints but on this occasion, it made me smile. I loved the way the two guys gave no quarter to either good customer relations, or pc'ness.

Hiya, just watched Missing chink and just wanted to say I enjoyed it and that it was a well observed piece of comedy. My mother is Chinese and I did not at all think it was offensive in anyway, It's true the Chinese are not recognised in the media and I'm sure that there are many talente Chinese actors ,comedians, Sports men/women out there

Congrats on the series!

Watched all 4 slots last week. I found it sensitive, humorous and actually on reflection a little painful. Wonder how it feels to court controversy? I read the C4 web posting about complaints - perhaps some people rather missed the point?