Jay Leno Apologizes For Gay Remarks

From UsMagazine.com:

After gay rights organization GLAAD urged Jay Leno to apologize for making derogatory remarks during a recent interview with actor Ryan Phillippe, the talk show host clarified his remarks in a statement.

"In talking about Ryan's first role, I realize that what I said came out wrong," Leno said. "I certainly didn't mean any malice. I agree it was a dumb thing to say, and I apologize."

The Tonight Show host, 57, teased Phillippe, 33, for landing his first role as a gay teen on the soap One Life to Live. He also asked Phillippe to give the camera his "gayest look."

Keep reading, or, watch video of the offensive statement below:

Comments

[westreal]

WTF was homophobic about this? If the guy is ashamed about doing gay roles then he shouldn't have done them. And what's so offensive about making a gay face. I do my gay face at lease three times a day.

[ddeagler]

Oh for God's sake. Worry about stuff worth worrying about.

[mellene]

Jay Leno should have realized that he shouldn't make those type of remarks without being shamed into an apology. As far as I'm concerned it adds to my disgust of most late night comedians.

[ramal]

Who the hell watches these late night shows anyway except retired insomniacs and the terminally bored? Read a book or better yet, just go to bed and get some sleep.

[biglover]

AMEN RAMAL. It is a total waste.

[TimN]

Another reason not to watch the Tonight Show. Bill Maher would have told GLAAD to bugger off.

[brett66]

I'm gay. I don't see the homophobia in this. WTF?
I'm glad I have already stopped supporting GLAAD

[Halfwit]

Me, too. Me, too and me, too.

[Halfwit]

I have finally realized what really bothers me about all of this.

This is crying "wolf!"

And every time the professional victims at GLAAD can't help but make a statement because they can't resist the opportunity for media exposure and another chance to claim their victimhood, the fight for actual gay rights and respect loses a step.
GLAAD should save its energy for actual defamation, not just someone making a bad joke about soap opera acting that happened to involve queerdom.

[scottyboi84]

I totally agree. I am gay, and I do become offended by some of the things I see on television, but this was not one of them. I think it's something we all wonder about the celebrities, especially if they've ever conquered a gay role, but really that does not mean that they are necessarily gay, or necassarily willing to talk about it on live television even if they are. I think Jay stepped over the line personally with Ryan, but not as far as offending me, nor should it have offended anyone else, people are too quick to cry "wolf" as Halfwit says, rather than save that energy to fight for things that really matter, for example domestic partnership health insurance, or marriage laws....I think we, as gays, have bigger fish to fry.

[Jellybelly]

I wonder what Matt Drudge thinks about this, being gay himself.

[agentoris625]

too many damn people out there making a living being offended. Jay is a wuss for apologizing for nothing. these idiots who find offensive remarks when none are there should punch themselves in the face.

[chumleypotts]

Joke telling is, and has always been around. It fosters camaderie between family, friends, co-workers and is a useful escape mechanism from the humdrum existance of so many of us. However, some folks have such an exaggerated sensitivity of self that they perceive jokes as a personal insult to their dignity, and haughtily chastise the joke-teller . Once these people are discovered, thereafter, they are generally excluded from many of the day-to-day pleasantries that the rest of their peer group enjoys, and descend even further into humorless misery. The old adage "Sticks and stones make break my bones, but names will never hurt me" does not apply to them.

[Rumplestiltskin]

Mr. Leno should have known there are only a few "groups" left you can poke fun at 1) blondes 2) Rednecks/h­illbillies and 3) politcians caught in sexual pecadillos.

[NewArtz]

Americans laugh at everything, and often our sense of humor has a cruel even brutal attitude. Our laughter covers up the fact that we don't take seriously issues that need to be resolved. Those Americans who do take those issues seriously are especially considered a joke. In our march of folly we consider freedom of speech the right to ridicule. The sad thing is...so many issues are just not funny. Discrimination against gay people has its roots in irrational fear and often overwrought hatred. Gay people aren't "gay", they're just attempting to make the best of a difficult "calling" in life. All of us in whatever stereotype we are forced to fit are doing the same in whatever oppression we have to overcome for the future humans to have a better world. I think we could laugh our heads off with a good conscience if the butt of our jokes weren't also the butt of some repressive cultural force. Ha Ha. I made a gay joke. Sad.

[Halfwit]

Freedom of speech absolutely includes the right to ridicule. There is much more to it than that, but yes, Americans should take freedom of speech as a right to ridicule.

[ProfessorDuh]

Freedom of speech also includes the right to be disgusted by tasteless, humorless ridicule, and say so. Which is what we're doing here.

[Halfwit]

And without irrational fear, comedy would be dead.

[lizziejtv]

homophobia is absolutely wrong.
any kind, by anybody.
why the discussion?

[Halfwit]

Because I, as a gay man, don't see anything slightly homophobic about what Jay Leno said.

[mokf]

Mutual Disdain: Sorry for the late reply. I don't work at HP. I have no idea why my post is a pick, other than I hope I presented my arguments intelligently. I don't like Jay Leno, but that's because I don't find him funny, not due to any ax to grind, politically or otherwise. Not a fan of Ryan Phillipe either: I thought he did a memorable job in Cruel Intentions, but otherwise I don't find him particularly compelling, and I like Reese Witherspoon a lot more. But I felt his reaction to Leno was understandable. Stop-Loss is a serious film with a message. Generally speaking in late night talk shows, the hosts give actors who are promoting such movies a chance profess their sincere intent as well as the watchability of the film. Doesn't matter if its this film or Passion of the Christ: otherwise why would talent come on these shows in the first place? As for transparency: I am not a plant. With no disrepect, you're entitled to your opinion of my motives or origins, but I don't really care.

[Halfwit]

The thing is, when you go on a talk show you always start off with things that are not about what you are promoting. Some light-hearted banter usually comes first. Leno was talking about the stupid looks soap actors are always having to do for the camera. Since this young man's experience was playing a gay guy, he couldn't very well say "look at the camera like you are on the soap and you are looking at a voluptuous brunette." He instead stuck with the truth of his past roll. If he had played a straight roll, would we be upset about Leno suggesting the voluptuous Brunette? No. And we shouldn't be upset about this either.
If you are trying to get your serious message about your movie go on the Today show. The Tonight Show is about comedy and entertainment.
I think Mr Philippe has a few insecurity issues. He was embarrassed by the naked commercial, too.
That seems odd considering he filmed it.
I think Jay Leno should not have had to apologize, but as long as my fellow gay men continue to cry "victim" at the drop of a hat and to take offense where no offense was given, there is not much I can do about that.
Once again, I find myself in the position of defaming GLAAD. They just keep deserving it with their reactionary victim mentality.

[KeysDan]

Ryan Philipoe has a few insecurity issues, and was embarrassed by the naked commercial? Gee, he stated that he did the commercial when he was 19 and he is now 33 and is trying to portray himself as a serious actor.. Not performing, on Leno's cue, to the role he had when he was 18 seemed mature rather than insecure.

[Ourrias]

WOW! That was, like, the WORST interview I've seen in years!

Who knew Jay Leno could be such an incompetent interviewer?

[Halfwit]

Who knew Ryan Philippe could be such a bad interviewee.?

[maryartemis]

It's no different than always; and I think leno did OK

[slobone]

As a gay man I can only say, what's the big friggin deal? We already know American straight men are obsessed with homosexuality. We don't need shrieks of outrage from GLAAD or anybody else to protect us from their remarks.

I frankly prefer it when these straight bozos DON'T censor themselves. Put your prejudices out where we can see them, guys...

[Halfwit]

Here, here!

[maryartemis]

Some of them actually make a choice not to be gay and "obessed" is more like amused. But that's ok, we can all be amused with each other. No big deal.

[TooLooze]

Leno's remarks wouldn't have been insensitive if he hadn't made a joke of the whole thing. It was either an ignorant series of questions or not clear enough that Leno was being satirical. Either way,Leno apologized.