The producers of a contentious sketch comedy program apologized Friday for offending viewers.
Veronique Cloutier and Louise Morissette, producers of Radio-Canada's New Year's Eve primetime special, Bye Bye, said at a press conference they were "truly sorry" for any harm caused by the sketches.
The enormously popular year-end review, watched annually by millions of Quebecers, is known for its outrageous satirical sketches.
But this year's edition, which attracted four million viewers, has been widely criticized for going too far by promoting negative stereotypes and making jokes about black people - including U.S. president-elect Barack Obama.
In one sketch, a comedian said Americans are happy to have a black president in the White House, because "black on white" will make him an easier shooting target.
The sketch also included suggestions that all blacks look alike, that black men are likely to steal, and questioned the size of black men's genitals.
Another sketch in which Cloutier portrayed Nathalie Simard, a popular Quebecois singer, was criticized because Cloutier's father, Guy Cloutier, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting Simard.
Earlier Friday, Rene Angelil, the manager and husband of singer Celine Dion, called for the resignation of Louise Lantagne, director of programs at Radio-Canada. Angelil and Dion were targeted in the special.
During the press conference, Morissette and Cloutier defended Lantagne, saying she knew about the sketches but they had the final say.
Radio-Canada has reportedly received more than a 1,000 complaints about the Dec. 31 broadcast. Dozens have also complained to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
