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Jerry Lewis Quickly Apologizes For Anti-Gay Slur

September 4th, 2007
By JOE GANDELMAN, Editor-In-Chief

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Comedian Jerry Lewis, who set a record for raising millions during this weekend’s Muscular Dystrophy telethon has apologized for an anti-gay slur dropped as a kind of throw-away line during one of the TV fundraiser’s unscripted moments.

See our earlier post HERE that explains the controversy, looks at Lewis’ career and contains an excellent video tribute to him and his former comedy team partner “Dean Martin.

Shortly after the controversy broke on the news wires and on the Internet, the AP released this story:

Jerry Lewis dropped an anti-gay slur during the 18th hour of his annual Labor Day Telethon.

The 81-year-old showman used the same word that got Isaiah Washington of “Grey’s Anatomy” in trouble.

Lewis apologized Tuesday for a “bad choice of words.”

Prowling about the stage during the live telecast Monday in Las Vegas, Lewis was goofing around and dodging his cameraman, then went into a ramble about imaginary family members.

He mentioned Bart, the older son, and Jesse, who he called an illiterate f—–.

He said, ‘No,’ and stopped himself before continuing.

Monday’s monologue prompted a critical statement Tuesday from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

President Neil Giuliano called Lewis’ use of the term “simply unacceptable.”

Lewis said in a statement that he apologizes to anyone who was offended.

He said he has no prejudices against gay people and is upset that his action distracted from the true purpose of the telethon.

This should lay the matter to rest — although it is the nature of 21st century politics for people to seek apologies, and after that then seek concrete demonstrations of good will to string controversies out as long as possible for maximum media exposure and other benefits. Be sure to read our original post which puts Lewis’ often bittersweet career into perspective.

UPDATE: Reuters has a bigger chunk of the Lewis statement:

Lewis issued a statement later in the day through organizers of the telethon saying he was sorry “to anyone who was offended.”

“I obviously made a bad choice of words. Everyone who knows me understands that I hold no prejudices in this regard,” he said. “The success of the (telethon) and all the good that will come from it shouldn’t be lost because of one unfortunate word. I accept responsibility for what I said. There are no excuses. I am sorry.”

UPDATE: Read Blue Crab Boulevard’s thoughts.



This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 at 6:36 pm and is filed under Homosexuality, Political Correctness, Health, Comedy & Humor, Entertainment. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

 
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