Isn’t it adorable when old people are homophobic?
Isn’t it cute when older celebrities try to be all cutting edge and try to imitate younger, hipper, more assholic celebrities? This weekend, some time around hour 18 at the traditional Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, Lewis uttered the gay slur made famous by Isaiah Washington and single-handedly caused bloggers all over the internet to say, “Aw! Isn’t that just the CUTEST THING!”
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.
Monday’s monologue prompted a critical statement Tuesday from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
Neil Giuliano, GLAAD president, called Lewis’ use of the term “simply unacceptable.”
Click here to see TMZ’s video of the faux pas.
This year’s telethon set a record, raising nearly $64 million, more than any previous year, so thankfully the kids this event is meant to benefit won’t feel any ill effects from Lewis’s attempt at hippness. No word on if Lewis is going to change his trademark line from “Hey laaaaaaaaaaaaady!” to “Hey faaaaaaaaaaggot!” However, a line of cuddly Jerry Lewis dolls which repeat various ethnic, religious, anti-gay, and misogynistic epithets is said to be in the works.
Jerry Lewis issued an apology on Tuesday. Isaiah Washington could not be reached for comment.
Jerry Lewis, telethon, Labor Day Telethon, Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, gay slur
September 6th, 2007 at 4:58 am
Finally people realize what an asshole that fake Jerry Lewis is.
September 6th, 2007 at 5:45 am
Yeah, Scott, I never did understand what the big deal about Jerry Lewis was, other than the telethon.