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."



Filed under: TV, Wacky & Weird


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1. "public outcry"...yeah right, nobody cares-stop trying to make it a big thing!!!!

Posted at 6:02PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Cassycrew

2. I think both this site as well as Perez among lots of others and the World in general needs to back off the political correctness b.s. It's getting out of hand, Jerry Lewis has done more for this world then you pathetic TMZ writers could ever hope for. Give it up, or find yourself being laced with the same derogatory remarks that he said from my mouth and lots of others. Get over yourselves, you aren't a race, you aren't anything but a sexual preference you don't deserve any special treatment, so how bout shutting the f. up.

Posted at 6:04PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Overboard

3. I am sick and tired of handling anything gay with kid gloves. We are so afraid of offending the gay lifestyle. We can belittle christians, blacks, etc. but the gays act like they are so oppressed.

Posted at 6:06PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Keviekev

4. There is a place for you and it is called REHAB

Posted at 6:06PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Joy

5. I hope he isn't really that sorry....
It's a free world, he can say whatever he wants....
People should stop being so sensitive.....
He is an 80-something year old man.....get over it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 6:06PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Sarah

6. JERRY IS OLD AND HAS BEEN DOING THE TELETHON FOR A LONG TIME.HE LOVES AND DEVOTES HIMSELF TO THE KIDS.WHEN HE'S GONE WHO WILL STEP UP ?OH LAAAAAAAAAAAAADY!

Posted at 6:08PM on Sep 4th 2007 by JOHNNY CRASH

7. Better leave this one alone ,,,he has done great work for kids

Posted at 6:08PM on Sep 4th 2007 by lightfoot

8. And #2 shut up you ass

Posted at 6:09PM on Sep 4th 2007 by lightfoot

9. I used to have respect for Mr. Lewis as a performer until he said that Merv Griffin deserved to die. Now he's just a sad old has-been in my eyes.

Posted at 6:09PM on Sep 4th 2007 by observer of the times

10. Everyone makes gay jokes from time to time including my gay friends. Who cares....

Posted at 6:10PM on Sep 4th 2007 by AnnaSpoke

11. "Alleged" comedian? Do nothing but 20 yr. old punks work for TMZ? He paved the way, morons.

Posted at 6:10PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Sammy

12. 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

13. Sorry
#2 I ment #7

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

14. He's sorry. How can someone who has dedicated so much of his life to helping people be prejudiced? We've all made poor judgements of wording at one time or another.

We forgive you, Jerry!!!

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

15. He's made more than one "oops" during his Telethon's........He's as mean as they come for someone who is "suppose" to be funny......He was funny in his day, now he's just obnoxious!!!!!!!

Posted at 6:17PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Ask Me How I REALLY Feel

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