Jerry Lewis Makes Anti-Gay Slur - Again

CANBERRA, Australia — Jerry Lewis made an anti-gay slur on Australian television similar to one he apologized for using on his annual telethon a year ago.

Following a news conference in Sydney Friday, Lewis, 82, was asked by a Network Ten national TV reporter for his opinion on the Australian nation sport of cricket.

"Oh, cricket? It's a f-- game. What are you, nuts?" Lewis replied.

The network broadcast the comment in full on its Friday evening news bulletin along with footage of Lewis handling an imaginary cricket bat with an effeminate gesture.

Lewis apologized in September last year for using a similar anti-gay slur in Las Vegas during his annual Labor Day telethon that raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Lewis was still in Australia on Saturday and has performances booked there through Nov. 1. His Australian spokeswoman Julie Cavanagh said he did not intend to comment.

The comedian held Friday's news conference to promote his latest stage show that is touring Australia. It is a retrospective of his career that includes show tunes with a 24-piece band, excerpts from his scores of movies and television shows, and his trademark slapstick comedy.

U.S.-based Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation spokesman Damon Romine said his organization would examine Lewis' words before commenting.

Comments

[gr8abz]

He's way outta touch with the times. Period.

[Agentlady007]

To My Cinderfella:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNkYy9e5Kb0

You are my corner of the sky Jerry. AFS

[innerealm]

His mind is stuck in the 60s but he's aging well, don't you think? Yikes!!!

[moussier01]

He should be put to sleep, there's nothing doctors can do for him anymore and his life makes no sense at all.

[QueenVictoria]

You should be put to sleep. Loser.

[edgraham]

People have been making fun of Jerry Lewis for so long, I almost started to believe them, but I really loved the old Martin and Lewis Colgate Comedy hour when I was a kid. And after seeing some of the old Martin and Lewis movies again (on TCM), I know that I was correct - - Jerry Lewis was one of the best.

I have to think most 80 year-old+ comedians tell gay jokes. Not funny anymore. Alcohol jokes. Not funny anymore. Wife jokes. It's really quite a list. Comedy has changed, but we can't change most old dogs. Give him a break.

Ed Graham

[antaeus]

We did give him a break after the first offense. Look, all you apologists: you can't have it both ways. If he deserves a pass for being in his dotage, then he shouldn't be out in the public arena. If he's too feeble to comport with contemporary standards of discourse, humorous or otherwise, then he's also too feeble to leave his room.

[ceb79]

Is this the same Jerry Lewis who married his 13 year old first cousin when he was 23? Jussayin'...

[Libbydoe]

No. I believe you are thinking of Jerry Lee Lewis. This Jerry Lewis had an act with the late singer Dean Martin.

[alcicotte]

Just an old, tired, washed up white guy. Why doesn't he go "quiet into the night"? He is such a bore!!

[QueenVictoria]

White guy? Go back under your rock.

[Eriq]

Poor Lewis... He is so pathetic. To think we're even allowing his hateful words to appear in the media! No one even pays attention to him. Perhaps that's why he lashes out with these idiotic statements.

[QueenVictoria]

I wonder if this is the team Jerry was talking about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKKtkNyslkY

[Goliadkin]

Now you would not think to look at him
But he was famous long ago
For playing the electric violin
On Desolation Row...

[Halfwit]

I am gay and I am not offended. He is older that dirt. Give him a break.

[QueenVictoria]

Oh, and now that you've come out of the closet, are you happy finally? Nobody cares.

[QueenVictoria]

( I almost felt appreciation from you until you said the dirt part. )

[MarkBoston]

Hey Queen V. I am also gay and I am not offended. He IS older than dirt ... and I CARE that Halfwit came out .. You were wrong. So there !!!! LOL

[deliriousgod]

he's trying to be ironic. you get old, it doesn't come off as well

[QueenVictoria]

Who cares who you take into your bedroom? I don't. My guess is no one cares.
So keep it to yourself. Stop being proud of something that will never be fully accepted.

[RJSquirrel]

Jerry Lewis is still alive?

[MrEguy]

Best comment yet :-)

[QueenVictoria]

Not really.

[JohnnyRivers]

Why are you stopping my comments? I'm not saying anything bad. What's your problem?

[auramac]

it wasn't a slur- it was a joke. Avery old joke/routine no longer politically correct. Jerry Lewis is one of the most inventive comedians who ever lived, but he throws out shtick from memory now, and very often forgets whether or not it's still effective or appropriate. It's like Tourette's- he's obviously got a good heart, and I'm sure that although he doesn't understand gay people, he means them no harm. leave him alone- he's an old man, doesn't warrant these headlines because of the context. I've seen Robin Williams do a few gay impersonations- like Steve Martin said- Comedy is Not pretty. No, what offends me is politicians against gay rights and even gay marriage. Not old comedians making "fagelah" jokes.

[Paxhope]

wow, this almost sways me

[antaeus]

Sure. If only we could see him through your eyes.

[MrEguy]

So, Jerry is in trouble for saying, "It's a f-- game."??

There's nothing nasty about "f--". We're adults here, why is the word we're discussing being cloaked in mystery? Write the whole damn word out or the article and the controversy make no sense at all.