Ashton Kutcher and Our Lost Sense of Humor [POLL,VIDEO]

Eddie Murphy portrayed an Italian American character in "Vampire in Brooklyn" and a Jewish old man in "Coming to America". Hhhhaaaa-hhhAAAA!

Funny, no?

I thought so, and apparently, as least the latter, turned out to be a blockbuster for Eddie!

Everyone had a good laugh, no Anti Defamation suits...no controversy.

Fast forward to today.

Ashton Kutcher, who at times can be funny...I say "at times"...does a commercial for
Popchips, and the accusation, according to this, is that the brand traffics in racial stereotypes.

In the ad, Kutcher's skin is tinted brown, he sports a bushy mustache and is wearing traditional Indian garb while playing the role of a Bollywood producer named "Raj."

"I'm raj, I'm a Bollywood producer. I'm looking for the most delicious thing on the planet, like Kardashian hot ... I would give that dog a bone ," Kutcher says in a stereotypical Indian accent in the viral ad, which has since been pulled.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a spokesperson for the company released a statement hitting back at accusations that the commercial was offensive.

"The new popchips worldwide dating video and ad campaign featuring four characters was created to provoke a few laughs and was never intended to stereotype or offend anyone," the spokesperson said. "At popchips we embrace all types of shapes, flavors and colors, and appreciate all snackers, no matter their race or ethnicity. We hope people can enjoy this in the spirit it was intended."

Blogger Anil Dash, one of the most vocal critics of the spot, as well as a Popchips and Kutcher fan, wrote on his blog on Wednesday that he had spoken to Popchips founder Keith Belling, "Who was sincere and contrite as he offered a thoughtful, apologetic response that indicates he understood much of what I was trying to say here. I'm cautiously optimistic to see the company's response, and willing to give them time to do it properly. Maybe we can get a good result."

"A good result!"

What the hell is that?"

A good result would be to shut the hell up and laugh along with everyone else!

My friend and colleague Steve Trevelise, who has his own standup thing going, was interviewed and had this to say:

“Once we can’t laugh at ourselves anymore, we really have nothing left,” says Trevelise. “Laughter’s the release. The way you can see a problem, a mistake, is to step back and look at it.”

Or as my grandmother would say: "Sta vennen' o' finn' do' mund"

The world is coming to an end!