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Lewis Takes Foot Out of Mouth, Issues Statement

Posted Sep 4th 2007 5:49PM by TMZ Staff

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."



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76. Use all the correct terms you wish...be as PC as you want....but you know darn well you are just as wierd, bad, off the wall and irrelevant as the next guy....As Jack Nicholson said in a movie..can't we just decide to all get along? And for you "Holier than thou left wingnuts"...you hate people who don't agree with you and you know it....just look at a picture of Rosie O and you'll see the face of Hitler without the political clout to do what he did...c'mon...get over it!

Posted at 8:30PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Thomas Paine

77. Any time any one makes a joke about AMERICA'S SACRED COWS, the people who've, by their own freewill and choice, live their livs as HOMOSEXUALS, there is a big to do and a big hue and cry. If one isn't homosexual they are heterosexual, so most jokes are said against heterosexuals and nobody gets all up in arms about it. Homosexuals are no better than anyone else, including heterosexuals, the president of the United States, lawyers, Christians and other religious groups, illegal aliens, Blacks, mothers-in-law or any other groups of people whom are joked about far more often than homosexuals. Jokes are made against almost anything and any one. Offended??? Don't like homosexual jokes??? Stop flaunting your homosexual lifestyles or get back in the closet!!!

Posted at 12:14AM on Sep 5th 2007 by BagLady

78. Big frigging deal what GLAAD has to say. There is no "public outcry". Who the hell are they trying to kid?

But granted, Jerry Lewis is a creep. I'm not suckered in by his "good guy" MDA image. True, he has done a lot for thousands of people. But he's still a jerk. Let me remind those who seem to have quickly forgotten, a small taste of how Jerry Lewis thinks..

Snipped from IMDB.com, in the February 14, 2000, Studio Briefing, Lewis had this to say about women comedians:

Jerry Lewis proved himself dumbfoundingly politically incorrect on Saturday during an appearance at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, CO. As reported by the Associated Press, Lewis was asked which female comics he admires. "I don't like any female comedians," he recalled. When Martin Short, who was moderating the panel reminded him of Lucille Ball and remarked, "You must have loved her, " Lewis replied "No, " then added, "A woman doing comedy doesn't offend me but sets me back a bit. ... I think of her as a producing machine that brings babies in the world."

Posted at 8:40PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Raoul

79. Gotta agree with #2 and #3. It's a preference...a choice. I'm tired of all the B.S. that we have to tolerate them. I don't HAVE to tolerate anything but death and taxes. This political correctness has gone to far. It was a mistake in his eyes that he said it, so lay off him.

Posted at 10:05PM on Sep 4th 2007 by BigDog

80. I am married with grandchildren, I love Jerry, I believe in the Bible, enough said!!

Posted at 11:26PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Diana Neeley

81. Whether TMZ is wrong to call Jerry Lewis an alleged comedian or not, Jerry Lewis acknowledged that he was wrong for what he said. I say forgive and move on.

On the other hand the homophobic comments here are vile and deserve revulsion.

Posted at 3:04AM on Sep 5th 2007 by alex

82. He's an old man, and he was extremely tired. I don't think he ever meant to hurt anyone or be 'anti gay'. He did NOT mean anything. He caught himself and he has apoligized. What else can he do?

He is a good man and does good things and has had a terrible last five years with his health. Give the man a break!

Get over it already. He's human. He made a mistake. period.

Posted at 8:49PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Cookie

83. All I read is nothing but homophobic comments. People..You have to tolerate all groups, not just gays but all types of minorities. All you haters out there give the U.S.A a bad name. May you all find peace and life in your heart. Jerry Lewis did make a mistake and should regrettably be sorry for what he said!

Posted at 9:04PM on Sep 4th 2007 by equality4all

84. I think the world is tired of everyone making a big deal out of every comment that is made. I saw what Jerry Lewis said was fueling hatred. My question is that aren't people allowed to have opinions, without hating folks? Some people think that being gay is wrong but dont want to condem any group of people. Enough is enough. Get a f***in life and move on.

Posted at 5:30AM on Sep 5th 2007 by jeff

85. Instead of gays "coming out of the closet",they need to clean the closet!!.They are an abomination.They bring all this on themselves.Good for Jerry,at least he tells it like it is.I don't even think he needed to apologize,after all,his Constitutional Right is Free Speech.The truth hurts,but it will set you free the Bible says.

Posted at 9:19PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Kasey

86. Let's get over ourselves. He was making a joke and that's all it was. We are way to sensitive about everything these days. Who has not ever made a comment about someone who was gay, fat, black, white, young, old etc. We need to take a step back and learn to laugh at ourselves once in awhile.

GET OVER IT ALREADY!!!!

Posted at 9:29PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Suezeeque

87. If the money he gets for his cause from gay people who are insulted by his remark would stop coming he sure wouldn't think it so funny after all, and all of you straight and anyone who does not think is not is a big deal, some gay people believe it is. In the long run it is the kids who miss out on this, not all of you gay bashers, shame on you for denying a child's well being when you insult gay people who contribute to a good cause.

Posted at 9:19PM on Sep 4th 2007 by The Phantom

88. Leave him alone! He has been busting his butt doing that telethon for 40 years . . . He has had one slip in all that time. Not bad.

Posted at 10:52PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Candy Barr

89. 52. How many millions has been collected over the years? So where is the frickin money going? Where is the cure, already?

Your use of "the cure" illustrates your utter stupidity. MDA funds treatment and research for over 30 nueromuscular diseases. Learn the subject, then comment.

Posted at 9:31PM on Sep 4th 2007 by tromba

90. So the huge majority of straight people, who, by the way, seem to strangely lack derogatory terms that can used as weapons against them, are the real victims here. I see. What can the gay community do to make it right? Oh. I see. Die f**. That sounds kind of familiar. Where have I heard it before?

Posted at 7:51AM on Sep 5th 2007 by Dean Martin

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