When you've had a career as long and distinguished as Jerry Lewis – part of a comedy act with Dean Martin, star of The King Of Comedy, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, charity monolith – you can pretty much do whatever you want.
OK, you can pretty much do almost whatever you want. Introducing an imaginary character called Jesse The Illiterate Faggot 18 hours into his annual Labor Day telethon to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association is probably one of the few things that Jerry Lewis shouldn't do. But, hey, Jerry Lewis did it anyway, clearly not realising that even calling invented invisible characters 'illiterate faggots' during an event that raised $63 million for charity will land you in all sorts of trouble these days. Now, however, Jerry Lewis has apologised for his outburst and everyone's happy again – apart from Jesse The Illiterate Faggot, who plans to write a tell-all book about the incident entitled Jery Loois Iz A Dik.
Jerry Lewis isn't a perfect man by any means – something that's true about anyone who's directed and starred in movies about a German clown who lures Jewish children to their deaths in Nazi gas chambers during World War II – but the never-ending energy that Jerry Lewis has shown by raising money with his MDA Labor Day telethon – over $800 million in 41 years – makes up for a lot of his failings as a human being. And that's true right up until the moment that Jerry Lewis starts shouting the word 'faggot' on live TV.
When you've hosted an almost day-long telethon every year since 1966 like Sinatra-snitcher Jerry Lewis has, chances are you're going to run out of material at some point. And that happened 18 hours into this year's Labor Day Telethon, when Jerry Lewis went and said this…
Watching the clip it's clear that midway through that last word a mental image of Mel Gibson cursing the Jews flashed through Jerry Lewis's mind, leading to the abandoning of the word, the swift "no" and the lurching away like Frankenstein's assistant. But Jerry Lewis has gone one stage further and apologised directly to the handful of people who actually stuck with the Jerry Lewis telethon for 18 hours and didn't just watch a 30-second clip of Jerry Lewis being homophobic on YouTube like everyone else. ABC reports:
In an e-mail statement released by the Muscular Dystrophy Association Tuesday, Lewis apologized for the remark, saying it was a "joking comment" intended for a member of his production team."I apologize to anyone who was offended," Lewis said. "I obviously made a bad choice of words. Everyone who knows me understands that I hold no prejudices in this regard. In the family atmosphere of the telethon, I forget that not everyone knows me that well. That something like this would distract from the true purpose of the telethon pains me deeply… The success of the show 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."
By apologising so quickly and sincerely, it looks as if Jerry Lewis has escaped the fate of Isaiah Washington, who was also called to task for using the same gay slur on the set of Grey's Anatomy. That's good news for all concerned because not only has Jerry Lewis learnt an important lesson, but now he won't have to a) go to gay rehab or b) star in that ropey-looking Bionic Woman remake. Plus it's thought that in next year's Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, all proceeds will be snatched away from the wheelchair-bound children and instead be used to set up a charitable fund for imaginary homosexuals that can't read good, which is clearly a step in the right direction.
Read more:
Jerry Lewis 'Sorry' For Using F-Word – ABC
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I’m sure if you read the U.S. Constitution you will find that nowhere does it state that you have a right to not get your little feelings hurt.
Jerry Lewis, I say fuck a bunch of faggots if they can’t take a joke.
I just dont get it. With a war raging in the middle east, global warming threatening the planet, and people starving in third world countries, How does someone single out Jerry Lewis as a villian for calling an imaginary person a faggot. Lets put thing in perspective. On one hand, Jerry Lewis has hosted the MDA telethon for 40+ years and raised hundreds of millions of dollars for kids in need. On the other hand, he jokingly insulted an imaginary character with a stupid joke. I think I can forgive him. For those of you who are offended – why not call your congressman. Demand that he (or she) introduce legislation that would make it a hate crime to discriminate against persons that dont actually exist. Come on folks, get a life. There must be something better for you to whine about. Get a life.
So if “Jesse” called JL a “kyke” the outcome would be the same?…
oh yeah, and…WHO GIVES A CRAP????!!!
Are “faggots” more easily offended than those who are just, “illiterate?” Does the unfortunate situation of illiteracy coupled with the choice of having sex with one of one’s own gender not occur in some percentile? Are imaginary “faggots” allowed protection under existing law(s)? So many questions for those who enjoy homosexuality and defend their life choices with such ferver …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_(slang)
The Thought Police are aware of this and are acting as I type …
This is not the first time Jerry Lewis has used the word “faggot” on his telethon. I personally called and complained to the telethon hotline approximately 5 years ago when he mouthed the word “faggot” and pointed to one of the male dancers who was part of a dance group that had just finished a routine. The operator told me “I’m sure he was just joking.” I told her it was inappropriate anyway. This was not a one-time slip from an old man. I’ve only watched one of his telethons, and that was just for a few minutes, and I saw him drop the f-bomb then. Its obviously one of his favorite words.
While I agree that the f-word is not appropriate and distasteful, I wish everyone else would be just as much in arms when you here the b-word, the other f-word,
and the one I really hate is the GD word. Why are these words not being fought from being said in movies, television, and music? It is no wonder why our youth in
America has no respect and act the way they do. It seems tolerance in this country is double standard when it comes to what we say and do. Mr. Lewis gets in
trouble for the f-word but everyone else is going unnoticed
*****AMEN***** I am so sick of the GD word one TV in films!!! Does anyone care that that word offends a LOT of people? No, apparently they dont’.
This just goes to show that Don Imus’s nappy-haired hos and Michael Richard’s nigger hecklers didn’t deserve one second of air time, either.
GROW UP WORLD AND GET OVER IT. SICK AND TIRED OF ALL THE WHINING ABOUT EVERY LITTLE WORD ANYONE SAYS OR DOES. IF YOU WANT PERFECTION GO TO HEAVEN BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT FIND IT HERE. SICK TO DEATH OF LAW SUITS, AND HOLLIER THEN THOU PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY HAVE TO TELL US ALL HOW TO LIVE AND WHAT WE CAN AND CAN’T SAY. IFYOU EVER GET TO JERRY’S AGE AND GO SLEEPLESS FOR 18 HOURS AND NEVER MAKE A MISTAKE OR OFFEND SOMEONE…LOOK AROUND……..MAYBE YOU ARE REALLY GOD……….NOT
Oh my God Jerry said a bad thing!! Wash his mouth out with soap.
My only problem is that he said it on regular Television. As to saying the word “Faggot” so what? Its a word. He is a comedian. Its called figure of speach. Chris Rock says the wortd nigger more then a slave auctioner in the south before the civil war does anyone complain about him? No!!! And they shouldnt.
Hell walk through Dupont Cirlce anytime of the night and you will hear the word faggot a alot.
wow
I’m amazed how many people feel there should be no reaction to this. I’m not personally offended, but I think Jerry’s career (if he still had one) should burn for this.
Yes, they are “just words” and “technically correct” … but what do you think the reaction would be if he used an imaginary character like “Jesse the inbred republican moron”?
Jesse the illiterate nigger.
Jesse the illiterate kike.
Jesse the illiterate dothead.
Jesse the illiterate trailer trash cracker.
Jesse the illiterate wop.
etc. etc. etc.
Hey it’s funny right? No problem there? Political correctness is bad right?
Only when it’s not you the bigots are talking about.
I accept your apology.
Ahhh c’mon! who gives a flying Faggot! (ooops) I’m sorry…
And by the way “The F-bomb” isn’t used for “faggot”!! It’s used for the word derived from a criminal charge British sailors would get put in jail for in the 1800′s or perhaps earlier. The F-bomb most assuredly stands for the word meaning “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”. When the Sailors arrived back late to their ships their commanding officer would ask why and they would reply “For Having Unlawful Carnal Knowledge of a woman in the Nude” or “F.U.C.K.I.N.” the term was used as slang later shortened to describe the act of copulating. ex. Why are you late? awww sorry mate I was out fucking and got delayed by Constable Wilkins again The F-Bomb stands for any variation of the derogatory word “Fuck”. Only a gay homo retard would think it would mean faggot!
It seems to hold true if you got the gold you can pretty much call the shots any way you want and get away with it. Lack of moral purpose and values from a decadent old comedian who has no desire to be any thing but who he is thats ok because he makes a lot of money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association
This country teaches men and women to drop bombs on foreign cities killing hundreds of thousands of people. Yet Jerry Lewis can’t say Faggot on television while raising $63 million dollars for poor sick kids because people think it’s obscene..
“Does anyone actually find this funny?”
Answer: Yes, I and millions of average guys do find a fag joke very funny!
Another blogger says: “Jerry’s career should burn for this.” Get real sweetie pie……he’s helping physically disadvantaged kids and he gets a pass.
Oh, Jerry is nothing but a nappy-headed ho! Oh dear, did I just say that outloud? The American public had no problem with firing Imus for calling black women basketball players “nappy headed ho’s”, but I’m surprised to see so many people defending Jerry Lewis’ comment. These same people that are supporting Jerry’s comment MUST hate gays in general; otherwise, there is no defense to his comment. But, unlike Isiah Washington, Jerry has been in the public eye for decades, raising over 800 million dollars in his telethons over the past 41 years. However, that does not give him a free pass to call anyone a nigger, a faggot, or any other slur. Jerry apologized, and (as a gay man) I accept his apology. I do not think at all that he should suffer the same demise as Imus. But there sure is a double-standard in this country when it comes to black slurs versus gay slurs. I’m quite positive that Jessie Jackson and Sharpton would be calling for the head of Jerry had he said “Jesse the Illiterate Nigger”. And, whomever is reading this, you KNOW you agree. Thus, the double standard that exists in our country.
So the real question is should literate faggots feel insulted for their fellow illiterate ones? I am surprised everybody talks about how THEY feel about it and nobody asks Jessie how HE feels. How about giving Jessie the opportunity to host the next telethon and express himself about Jerry the illiterate ignorant comedian. As a I think they should redress Jessie’s deep wounds by sending him to a post telethon stress rehab.
i got a better idea to the commenters…
why don’t you all shut up?
Just as people of color more than occasionally use the word “nigger” in a semi-humorous context, so do gays often use the word “faggot” (and several other synonymous terms). Even native Americans call themselves “Indians” without batting an eye. I advise relaxation and hot herbal tea, and a great deal of tolerance and goodwill. Then no one will be angry at anyone, and what a relief that will be.
I would like to point out that we have no reason to be upset with Jerry lewis’ insensitivity for illiterate faggots or any other person in a minority group. He was politically incorrect – even though he didn’t violate the law. Let me explain. This is America. We have rights. We all know that it is a crime to discriminate based on a persons minority status, yet we must be careful to differientate between true discrimination and artistic expression. For instance, it is a deplorable violation of employment law to practice favoritism by hiring someone because she or he is a God fearing Christain when there are equally qualified radical muslims applying for the same job with an airline. Thats discrimination. Mr. Lewis didn’t discriminate. He is an artist and our right to artistic expression is also protected under the law. Thats why we respect the right of a rap “artist” to weave cultural stories (like capping his MotherF’ing nappy headed ho fo takin his crack) into his works of art.
Thats just my opinion. I’m not really qualified to comment because I am one of the lucky 26% to be in the majority group (hetrosexual white christian male). No matter how hard you try, I cant be discriminated against because discrimination only happens to the 74% minority. How lucky I am. Deny me a job, deny me a morgage, deny my membership to the NCAAP, or deny me entrance to the illiterate faggot club. You can never discriminate against me (just ask the Reverend Sharpton). Please don’t hate me for being blessed.
I still cant believe people think ‘Jessie” is a real person. Let him host the next show??….stage would be empty.
He is a fagmont of JL’s imagination. duhhhh
Word up! Fear baby, fear. Fear of a black planet!
Opps, sorry wrong blog.
Nah, just kidding, for a bunch of “illiterate” gays you all can spell pretty good. You should see how music fans spell.
“plus, what r ya’ll doin here in tha 1st place if all ya’ll was gone do is talk shit all day long about michael?!
hm, u must not have no life worrying about sumbodi else’s. and u must evidently care what he’s doing
because, what would u b doing here on this cite in tha 1st place?????? its people like ya’ll, tha haters, who
is actually inspiring michael 2 keep doing what he does. BEING THA BEST. ya’ll just jealous. and im right,
the better he becomes the more haterz he get.”
Luvn’ it.
To Randy,
You said:
“But there sure is a double-standard in this country when it comes to black slurs versus gay slurs.”
Ah, but don’t forget: You’re born black. You’re NOT born gay. Not the same.
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