Published: September 25, 2009 02:43 pm      

Tasteless display — 09/26/29

Kings Island should not have approved offensive exhibit

Kings Island has apologized for an offensive Halloween display of skeletons dressed up as dead celebrities, including Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Frankly, we are surprised — and disappointed — that the family-oriented theme park 24 miles north of Cincinnati ever thought such a display was anything but tasteless.

It didn’t take long for the complaints to surface on the Internet and on radio talk shows after the Halloween display opened. Nor did it take long for Kings Island — a popular attraction for Tri-State area residents — to realize its mistake and have the skeletons removed before it even opened..

How offensive was the display? Well, in addition to the displays featuring the skeletons dresssed as Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, there was also a skeletal version of Steve McNair, the former Tennessee Titans quarterback who was killed by his mistress in July. The skeleton was holding a football helmet with a hole in the top, a skeleton in a skimpy red negligee draped across its lap.

How could have anyone thought for a second that such a display was appropriate? If the intent was to be humorous, it failed miserably.

Kings Island has been embarrassed by the display, which is now history. Good riddance.