Lewis Takes Foot Out of Mouth, Issues Statement

Alleged comedian Jerry Lewis has issued a statement to CNN, following the public outcry over his use of a gay slur on this weekend's MDA Telethon:

"During the 21-1/2-hour live broadcast of my Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association this weekend, I made a joking comment to a member of my production team. I apologize 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. 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."



Reader Comments

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16. Everyone makes gay jokes...who cares. Jerry has every right to. In his day, people weren't so freakin' sensitive. Some gays talk with lisps and prance like big fairies, while others are the epitome of manhood. So who cares!!! It's no lie.

Posted at 6:11PM on Sep 4th 2007 by billyBoy

17. Sorry
#2 I ment #7

Posted at 6:12PM on Sep 4th 2007 by lightfoot

18. Ahh folks i think number two was making a cute joke. Get off them!

Posted at 6:29PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Dillon2

19. To "AZ Mommy" who made the #4 comment:

A full quarterly report of Mr. Lewis's charity can be requested from MDA. If you are capable of reading it, you will surely see the ignorance in your comments. A not-for-profit organization is just that - that does not make them exempt from providing up-to-date facilities for the families and children they support and their hard working employees. Where, per se, do you suggest they do business?

Posted at 6:17PM on Sep 4th 2007 by tdub

20. This is so utterly ridiculous. Lay off Jerry Lewis.

As a Mom to a son with Muscular dystrophy, I can assure you that JL is nothing short of a hero in my eyes.

GLADD should shut their mouths and donate some money to the MDA!

Posted at 6:17PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Jen

21. WHO CARES IF HE SAID SOMETHING ANTI-GAY??? Most Americans are anti-gay. It's not like using the N-Word or something wrong like that. Even Hollywood for all of its alleged pro-gayness don't really like the gays. Homosexuals are constantly parodied in major productions and made to look like the fools they are. And when Brokeback Mountain was supposed to win at the Oscars, guess what happened? Crash crashed the party because they didn't want to appear too pro-gay. Welcome to the USA!

Posted at 6:18PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Steve

22. I LOVE You Jerry..............

Posted at 6:24PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Debbie McNaney

23. EVERYBODY IS SO FREAKIN TOUCHY THESE DAYS!!!

Posted at 6:22PM on Sep 4th 2007 by 4Justice

24. He's a lovely nice man. Leave him alone.

Posted at 6:22PM on Sep 4th 2007 by TexasTess

25. I think it is time that we stop looking to destroy every person who makes a comment that offends someone...We all have our prejudices and we all say the wrong thing at times...but isn't that what america is about...freedom of speech...Jerry Lewis' telethon does a lot of good for a lot of people and whether or not they have a nice building is irrelevant...every not for profit charity has a building...also...it is time to let this politically correct stuff stop destroying people...all of a sudden, if you say something wrong, everyone wants a "meeting" and an apology...if i had to bet...i would think most people have said something offensive to someone, at sometime...i think things have gotten out of hand...

Posted at 6:23PM on Sep 4th 2007 by jogo13

26. OMG...DEAD MAN WALKING...............
Ironic, a Gay man played JL in his TV life story(Sean Hayes), but now he makes remarks....Too funny!

Posted at 6:26PM on Sep 4th 2007 by kevin

27. I'm guessing he's sorry about the bad publicity - but I think it's unlikely that he's sorry for saying what he did. Don't get me wrong - I don't think there's any reason for him TO be sorry about it. We ALL say things we "shouldn't" ... just so happens that more people are around to hear the slip-ups of the stars.

I'm a f@g myself ... and I'm not offended. I agree with you folks who are saying people need to chill the f! out about this stuff ... enough is enough!

Posted at 6:27PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Jeff

28. I think if I hear any more complaints from the Homosexuals I think I'll scream my lungs inside out.

Why don't all of you people just shut up and give it a rest, you came out of the closet, why don't you just go back there.

Either that or get a thicker skin !

Posted at 5:58PM on Sep 5th 2007 by K Leack

29. Oh puleeeeze! We are turning our kids into a bunch of p****ys with all of this p.c. bull***t! You can't say boo without offending someone! Geez, grow a set! (Did I offend you? Good!)

Posted at 6:29PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Sick Twisted Freak

30. Just what did he say that was suppose to be so offensive?
I have many gay friends and they call themselves all kinds of derogatory "names" but they do it in a fun non-threating way.
Why do people take everything that is said in the wrong way?

Posted at 6:28PM on Sep 4th 2007 by DDunn62

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