What were they thinking?

WEST AND KIMMEL. Tempests in a testy teapot.

Some show biz stars think they’re so popular and powerful that they can do anything they want, and everybody else will just have to grin and bear it. Well, that may have been the simpering, submissive lay of the land in the past, but the times sure have changed.

With the current popularity and “balancing” power of the New Media, stars have been practically forced to be on their best behavior—or else!

The latest tempest in a testy TV teapot is over comedy-variety talk show host Jimmy Kimmel’s latest “kiddie forum” spoof, telecast just a few days ago. The humorous feature is inspired by the old series, “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” which asked children “profound” questions and recorded their unintentionally funny responses, to everyone’s delight.

Well, the latest results of Kimmel’s juvenile forum turned out to be much less than delightful, especially when the panelists were asked for their suggestions on what to do with the “China problem.” One little “expert” weighed in with the view that all Chinese nationals should be exterminated—and all heck broke loose!

Yes, the feature was a “spoof” forum designed to elicit far-out and funny remarks, but the questions lined up for the kids to react to were just too important and sensitive to fool around with!

The minute the tsunami of negative public opinion hit, Kimmel was quick to offer his apology for the “fun” feature that many people didn’t find funny at all!

We trust that tough lessons have been learned, not just by Kimmel but also by other people who work on TV—and on radio, too, for that matter. Since those broadcast media reach and influence so many audience members, people who work in them should keep reminding themselves to do their best and most responsible work—all the time!

Other current turn-offs on the TV screen these days include Kanye West, who’s rapidly acquiring the reputation for thinking the world of himself and colorfully shooting his mouth off to make doubly sure that we all know it!

His recent boasts (which may have been triggered by his “trophy” romantic conquests, topped by Kim Kardashian, the mother of his love child) include the potshots he’s been taking at no less than US First Lady Michelle Obama!

What’s Kanye’s beef with Michelle? He thinks Kim should end up on the cover of Vogue magazine, not her. Big deal!

Are these just the rants of an “overly loverly” hubby-to-be? Some observers think not—they flatly accuse Kanye of being downright delusional in his excessively grand estimation of himself and his lady love.

So, should Kanye take his cue from Jimmy Kimmel and apologize? Well, that’ll do for starters, but due to Kanye’s “advanced” condition, that could be a case of—too much, too late!