Another insult and apology

From the Washington Post. Jerry again, during yesterday's telethon:

The 81-year-old showman -- prowling about the stage during the live telecast Monday in Las Vegas -- was goofing around and dodging his cameraman, then went into a ramble about imaginary family members.

"Oh, your family has come to see you," he said, speaking to the camera and gesturing toward thin air.

"You remember Bart, your older son," he said, and motioning toward another unseen character, "Jesse, the illiterate f-----.

"No," Lewis said, quickly stopping himself before continuing.

Jesse is, apparently, the gay relative. I'm guessing he rarely comes to Lewis' imaginary family functions when the bigot himself is there. After all, Bart gets to be "the older son" and he is, well, illiterate. . . .

Here's CNN with the video clip. I can't imagine what he'd have said when he got to the sad, crippled little imaginary grandchild with MD.

Wait. Yes, I can.

But it all seemed to work out well for everyone in the end.

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) President Neil G. Giuliano criticized Lewis this morning:

“Jerry Lewis’ on-air use of this kind of anti-gay slur is simply unacceptable,” said Giuliano. "It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm's way. Our nation’s media have done an admirable job this year holding public figures accountable for their use of anti-gay slurs, and I hope they continue to do so with Mr. Lewis."

Giuliano said that GLAAD is contacting Lewis’ representatives today to request a meeting with him. "We want to sit down with him, help him understand why these words are so hurtful, and give him an opportunity to raise public awareness about the destructive impact of these kinds of anti-gay slurs, even more so in attempted humor.”

And by this afternoon, all was forgiven after Lewis issued an apology for a "bad choice of words."

GLAAD responded:

“GLAAD thanks Jerry Lewis for his swift and direct apology for this incident,” stated Giuliano. “We join millions of Americans in applauding the important work of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and wish MDA and Mr. Lewis much continued success in their efforts.”

Whew! I'm happy that's over!

He didn't mean it. He's a nice guy. He would never purposely say anything rude about cripp-- I mean, gay people. Everyone carry on! Nothing to see here but a little annual nationally-televised pity party for some dying kids.