09/04/2007
Jerry Lewis Points Out "Illiterate Faggot" in Telethon Audience?
Via TMZ comes video from the 18th hour of Jerry Lewis' telethon, which was broadcast last night. In it, Lewis appears to use a gay slur when identifying an audience member:
"In the midst of a typically Lewis-ian rant in the 18th hour of his Labor Day telethon, France's favorite comedian swayed, trying to dodge the cameraman, then introduced a 'family member' as 'the illiterate faggot,' then remembered, seemingly, that he was on live TV ... stopped himself and tried to move on."
Lewis may have been referring to a "fatty" in the audience. However, because of his own slurring, it's somewhat hard to say.
TMZ reports that the telethon raised $63 million for muscular dystrophy.
UPDATE: GLAAD has called on Lewis to apologize.
Posted 10:00 AM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Slurs, Jerry Lewis, News | Permalink
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It's difficult to tell either way, but it certainly could have been faggot. That being said, as a previous post noted, in his career I don't think Lewis has indicated any problem with gay people. Hell Sean Hayes played him in the CBS movie about Martin and Lewis.
Regarding the telethon, it is relevant. Muscular Distrophy isn't just one or two diseases and there's not going to be one simple, clear cut break through. Researchers need the money, but a lot of the cash raised as well goes to help fund clinics and camps for infected people, esp. children, to try and provide some normalcy in life. If you don't care for it, then don't watch and don't donate. However, judging by the amount raised each year, lots of people do care and take notice.
This is his telethon (he started it since year 1) and let the man do it as long as he sees fit too. Btw, while I know nothing of him as a person, to the previous poster, Lewis lives in Las Vegas, not San Diego...
Posted by: Sunsimba | Sep 4, 2007 1:52:28 PM
That's kike, Sean. ROFLMAO.
Now that we've got that part clear, would you mind not using that word either? Unless you'd like to explain its etymology to the rest of the class. Thanks.
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Sep 4, 2007 2:11:24 PM
No, no, Sean: You're getting the Jews confused with Benjamin Franklin. Then again, his name was Ben.
My point is not to make slander against Jewish people because of what an elderly Jewish entertainer said. My point was to remind Towleroad posters how they react when members of other racial/ethnic groups make stupid anti-gay slurs. One particular racial group seems to draw heavy fire when one of our members makes an anti-slur. But I don't know why white gays should be so hard on us Aborigines.
Anyway, I would never say anything bad against the Jews (homophobes, shmomophobes, whatever), 'cause I love my Barbra too much!
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Sep 4, 2007 2:31:33 PM
cum, cum now boyz, i thought you all were more savvy than that, esp. when it comes to tongue-in-cheek wordplay. hmmm?
Posted by: sean | Sep 4, 2007 4:20:05 PM
Oh, oh, yeah, I knew whatchu' was doin' all along...yeah. Still that don't give no right to puttin' down the Jews...ah,was you? Well, if you were, I mean, was just don't mess with Barbra...ever!
Posted by: Derrick from PHilly | Sep 4, 2007 4:29:22 PM
my arrow was directed at a very narrow target... Lewis himself. i never take the high road when it comes to a bigot. reap what you sow. < another WP, btw.
Posted by: sean | Sep 4, 2007 4:33:49 PM
Derrick : I agreed with you that some of the wishes that Isaiah Washington would never work again were getting too ridiculous (and I understand why it would bother you), but I still say it was moderate compared to the actual death wishes we see regularly on Towleroad for Irish or- God forbid- Irish and Catholic "culprits".
Posted by: Joe T. | Sep 4, 2007 4:53:25 PM
At least now Jerry himself has removed any doubt about what he said:
http://tinyurl.com/35lh3t
Posted by: Matt | Sep 4, 2007 7:02:40 PM
CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS and any other media outlet (such as newspapers, radio talk shows etc) that repeats what Jerry Lewis said is contributing to this mistake. Jerry has said he was sorry. How will these media outlets make this political repeat of this slur right? How will they be held accountable for continuing to put the salt in the wounds. He is an 81 year old man who has served his time in life. He should NOT step down from being the MDA spokes person because "he" is it's creator and the reason for its foundation. In his day, and in his comedic business, working off the cuff is what made money....seems that is why all these media outlets have continued to jump on the bandwagon so that their "news" sells. He didn't do it on purpose. He isn't a homophobic person. He simply was a tired comedian trying to make a joke. Gays and Heteros alike need to lighten up: he has lived a long and purposeful life and in his lifetime he has brought joy to many, many people. Accept that he made a mistake. Which one of you that is trying to cast this stone can say to yourselves that YOU have never made a mistake. No human alive is PERFECT.
Posted by: laine | Sep 4, 2007 9:01:24 PM
CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS and any other media outlet (such as newspapers, radio talk shows etc) that repeats what Jerry Lewis said is contributing to this mistake. Jerry has said he was sorry. How will these media outlets make this political repeat of this slur right? How will they be held accountable for continuing to put the salt in the wounds. He is an 81 year old man who has served his time in life. He should NOT step down from being the MDA spokes person because "he" is it's creator and the reason for its foundation. In his day, and in his comedic business, working off the cuff is what made money....seems that is why all these media outlets have continued to jump on the bandwagon so that their "news" sells. He didn't do it on purpose. He isn't a homophobic person. He simply was a tired comedian trying to make a joke. Gays and Heteros alike need to lighten up: he has lived a long and purposeful life and in his lifetime he has brought joy to many, many people. Accept that he made a mistake. Which one of you that is trying to cast this stone can say to yourselves that YOU have never made a mistake. No human alive is PERFECT.
Posted by: laine | Sep 4, 2007 9:02:43 PM
I'm dying to get my butt plowed, but I'm too much of a coward to come out of the closet. So I cruise gay websites and try to take my sexual frustration out on gays who have the courage I lack.
Posted by: Retardo | Sep 4, 2007 10:25:54 PM
Dear Retardo If your comment is directed at me, "congratulations"
Retardo is obviously a parody of the post above it, Bernardo. Notice the similarity of the two names, dimwit? Apparently even with your "attractive girlfriend" helping you read the posts, you're too much of an idiot to have caught that. But if you're so certain the shoe fits, you'll get no argument from me, Retardo you are!
Posted by: Johnny | Sep 4, 2007 11:09:05 PM
the shoe fits me just fine as i shove it directly up john and bernardo's asses. btw, john your GF Mary is not as good a cocksucker as you. see you tomorrow night in stall #3, bitch.
Posted by: sean | Sep 4, 2007 11:30:45 PM
was your mother your sister?
Posted by: sean | Sep 5, 2007 1:05:05 AM
I'm not offended by you in any way John. You, like Larry Craig, amuse me to no end. The fact that a supposed straight man (yeah right) has nothing better to do than troll around bathrooms (Craig) or gay web sites (you) is too hysterical for words.
Sweetheart, closet cases like you are a dime a dozen but you guys always think that you are so unique. You're not. Neither is your beard, um I mean "girlfriend".
We ALL know YOU too well. Hell, many of us used to BE you.
Now, run along to your beautiful girlfriend. It will be easy for you to convince her that you are straight. Convincing yourself, that's the hard part.
Posted by: Zeke | Sep 5, 2007 10:38:53 AM
Due to offensive flaming, several comments have been removed from this thread and the trolls banned.
Posted by: andy | Sep 5, 2007 11:01:31 AM
Thank you Andy.
Posted by: Zeke | Sep 5, 2007 1:36:14 PM