Martin Bashir Video Of "Asian Babes" And Erection Jokes

Gawker has uncovered the video from "Nightline" co-anchor Martin Bashir's controversial speech to the Asian American Journalists Association, in which he joked about "Asian babes" and erections and for which he apologized.

Watch as Bashir congratulates colleague Juju Chang for sporting a dress "long enough to cover the important points and short enough to keep us interested" and jokes about the "Asian babes" that left him "mightily relieved the podium [covered] him from the waist downwards" — and listen for the crowd's icy reaction (transcript below the video):

"In reflecting on what I was gonna say this evening, I'm reminded of the great words of Benjamin Disraeli. Many of you will know that Benjamin Disraeli was the British Prime Minister twice towards the end of the 19th century. And he was a magnificent public speaker. And he was asked, 'What is the secret to your oratory? How come you speak with such authority and you seem to transfix the audience?' And he gave this answer in the House of Commons: He said, 'Every speech that I give, I regard as a dress on a beautiful woman. It needs to be long enough to cover the important points and short enough to keep us interested.' And i have to say I think Juju Chang has achieved on both counts this evening."

"So there's no mistaking your talent, but the reality is there's no mistaking your cultural identity either. 'Cause it's written on your faces. I've never been in an environment of so many beautiful Asian babes in my life. In fact, I'm mightily relieved the podium covers me from the waist downwards because I've been having trouble all evening! So...[laughs while audience jeers]...it's OK, calm down, it does actually get worse. There's no mistaking your talent but there's no mistaking your cultural origin."

Previously: Martin Bashir Apologizes For Joking About "Asian Babes" And Erections At Diversity Conference

Comments

[Sloopydrew]

Was he insulting people? He seemed to be making a couple of jokes while flattering Asian women. I thought it was sort of funny, but all I saw was the video posted above, so maybe I'm missing something. The audience seemed to get a kick out of it and was laughing hardily. Sometimes I worry that we, as a society, are getting to be too PC.

[bluehorizon]

I guess this this is one of the downfalls of reading a liberal site... people have no sense of humor.

[YunekFlava]

You're Right, but the real downfall is some people have no scrupples.

[serendipman]

Come on!! Grow a skin. DOnt get so politically correct that we can;t have a little fun...
PS - I'm Asian...

[YunekFlava]

I'm sorry for you, because my Asian female and male friends are offended. I guess they too, don't have a skin.

[Pherdnut]

Quick question PS-I'm-Asian guy. What's the last US TV show, movie, or magazine you saw depicting an Asian man as having any kind of sexual virility? Can you think of two? One? Now try to think of like 20-200 examples of Asian women depicted in that light. And who are they usually paired up with? Anybody but an Asian guy. I think that's kind of messed up but all in good fun I guess.

[cricket]

nothing offensive about it. take it easy huffpo

[GhettoGrapevine]

A word of advice to Martin Bashir:

If you're planning to take your "comedy" routine
out on the circuit, don't quit your day job.

[justmeinAz]

The world is in a lot better shape than I thought it was if this constitutes a "controver­sy." If by the audience's "jeers" you meant "laughter," then yes, I heard it too. I guess I'm not uptight enough to get upset about this, although I am annoyed that it's here on Huffington Post, taking up a spot where a news story is supposed to go.

[AlieNation]

Well we finally have agreement about an issue from two sides that almost never see eye to eye on anything.

On the one hand we have religious fundamentalist (of all faiths) and on the other we have radical feminists.

“There must be someway out of here, said the joker to the thief”

[kanaschwiiz]

this is supposed to be offensive?

[MarciL]

He should be fired from Nightline. His comments were inappropriate and sexist.

[mikematic]

Humor in this country has gone down the drain in the name of political correctnes­s...lighte­n up Y'ALL

[InofTouch]

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World...mo­re ways then one apprently

[kingfireman]

Am I crazy for not seeing anything really wrong with his comments? or did I just watch another video? I heard him giving out compliments. I heard the crowd laughing. This is a fake controversy! Anyone that has not realised that men and women are attracted to each other at this point has a long way to go. And, those that think sexuality is "taboo" are unfortunate vestiges of past human ignorance. Just my opinion really..Do­es anyone agree?

[gooseisloose]

I dunno, kingfireman. I'm okay with the quote comparing a speech to a dress on a beautiful woman (the metaphor works for me, pc or not), but not okay with him using that as segue into pointing out how hot his colleague looks. And I'm sort of okay with him remarking on the overall attractiveness of his audience, but absolutely not the reference to the effect they're having on little Martin jr. behind the podium. Say he made that same remark to an attractive colleague, or a client, from across a desk. Would that still be okay in your book? And if he were a woman, would it be business-a­ppropriate for her to say that presenting to a roomful of hunky men made her glad she'd worn a pantyliner?

[YunekFlava]

If he did it on the job he would be accused of sexual harrassement. For sure, and any of the men and women whoblog knows it.

[Kimgelle]

OH MY GOD!!!! I have finally gotten it. It has taken me 8 years but I get it. We are in the midst of a huge 8 year long episode of punk. You know, The TV show that Demi Moores boy-toy Ashton has. There is no way this happens in the real world. This kind of thing only happens in something like an Adam Sandler comedy.

[carolinacal]

I guess he forgot this was the year 2008.

What a complete idiot. Shows the caliber of the current crop of "journalists".

[YunekFlava]

FAKE journalist.

[EJA]

Not all that offensive, but really boring and pompous.