What can I say about TBS’s Wrecked? It’s a pretty funny show that, for its late-time and low-brow humor, actually got a laugh out of me. Even better, it seemed to be teetering on the edge of showing a white, patriotic Southerner who was NOT a racist stereotype. Until it didn’t.
The August 1st episode “Cruisie-ifornication” focuses on the group of shipwrecked islanders boarding a stolen ship to cruise their way home. To steer their way, Bruce (Will McLaughlin) and Pack (Asif Ali) take control of the wheel to locate a nearby shipping lane. Along the way, Pack, a Chicago-born Indian man, and Bruce, a white man with a Southern accent who believes “every goddamn thing should be made in America,” become friends.
That’s right, a mainstream show let an Indian man and a white Southern stereotype become friends for a plot. I couldn’t believe it myself, but it happened. Could we be one step closer to post-racial television? Have we finally gone beyond making every little personal issue become political and painting America-lovers as racists? I almost thought so, but then we have this scene.
Pack: I'm telling you, he shaved half of his head off! [ Laughter ] Oh, man. I got to be honest with you, Bruce. I was wrong about you.
Bruce: How do you mean?
Pack: Well, I thought you were a certain type of guy. And it turns out you're a lot more, you know. You know, and -- and to think that if we hadn't landed on that island, we would've never gotten the chance to know each other. I'm glad that we did.
Bruce: Amen to that, brother.
Pack: Yeah.
Bruce: Right there. Hey, you know what my favorite part about being on that island was?
Pack: Lay it on me, Big Bruce.
Bruce: There wasn't a single [bleep] Mexican.
Pack: Yep, there it is. I'm gonna get some air.
Bruce: All right. Sounds good, lil' buddy! I'm here when you need me.
This close, Wrecked. You were this close to making a new statement, but thank you for the reminder that ALL white pro-Americans are just racists. After all, I only get told that six times a day by liberal media. What’s one more liberal show?
