Jerry Lewis Raises Millions, Causes Controversy (F-Word...but not that one)

ABC News ^ | Sept. 4, 2007

[rightinthemiddle]

Sept. 4, 2007

While Jerry Lewis raised millions of dollars during his annual Labor Day telethon, he also caused a bit of controversy.

During the 18th hour of the telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the 81-year-old actor, riffing in front of the camera very late in the broadcast, introduced an unseen family member with a description that sounded like either "the illiterate fatty" or "the illiterate faggot."

In a video clip of the incident posted on the Internet, Lewis swaggers across the stage, appearing to dodge a cameraman before making the slightly muddled statement. He then seemingly catches himself and says, "No."

A call to Lewis' representative was not immediately returned. Jerry Lewis Films Inc., Lewis' film production company, declined to comment on the incident.

Lewis' televised slur comes after actor Isaiah Washington reportedly called his "Grey's Anatomy" co-star T.R. Knight a "faggot" earlier this year, causing a controversy that led to his removal from the ABC series.

[rightinthemiddle]

Link said "Jerry Lewis Controversy Over F-Word."

Actually, if he'd used the old-fashioned "F-Word," there probably wouldn't be any controversy.

But to say "faggot?"

[Jokelahoma]

You know, my hearing isn't that good, but I'd swear he says "illiterate fatty".

[SampleMan]

I don’t get it. He was introducing John Edwards?

[Always Right]

How gay.

[NeoCaveman]

I guess he has to go to rehab now....

[sinanju]

When’s he gonna release “The Day the Clown Cried?”

Inquiring minds want to know.

[sure_fine]

any attention is good attention to gay activists

[SIDENET]

"the illiterate fatty"

An illiterate fatty?

Oh, they're the worst kind.

[Former MSM Viewer]

and why do we care if he muttered something?

[DoughtyOne]

I’m not a big Lewis fan. In fact you could say I’m about the farthest thing from it. That being said, this PC bull-s—t wore out it’s welcome with me, years ago. Let the guy say what he wants. Others can too and that’s as it should be.

I notice nobody seems to get upset if the term “Cracker” is used.

This is just PC to the max, and it’s not a good thing. Lewis, as you were.

[DoughtyOne]

I’m not a big Lewis fan. In fact you could say I’m about the farthest thing from it. That being said, this PC bull-s—t wore out it’s welcome with me, years ago. Let the guy say what he wants. Others can too and that’s as it should be.

I notice nobody seems to get upset if the term “Cracker” is used.

This is just PC to the max, and it’s not a good thing. Lewis, as you were.

[savedbygrace]

Funny he’s not being criticized for using the I word.

[WakeUpAndVote]

Wow, the PC police are going to really come down on him now! He could have been mistaken to have said AAAALLLLL sortsa a things.

[Abathar]

Pfff... The French will console him, he is finally acting like they do and insulting anyone not like them.

[IronKros]

Funny he’s not being criticized for using the I word.

They are waiting for the newspaper on tape.

[rightinthemiddle]

‘Cuz he was wearing a pair of Crocs when he said it.

[pnh102]

Does he have an earring and makeup?

Does he have a jet plane?

Is he a millionaire?

It must be John Edwards!

[poobear]

He probably said “illiterate fat @ss” but then that wouldn’t be worth reporting as a “controversy”.

[apocalypto]

Hard to keep track of all those alphabet words. Does one distinguish now distinguish between them by saying the “F1-word,” “the F2-word”? Or is it the “the FU-word,” “the FA-word”? Who gives the PC police the power to determine what word can be said and what cannot? And is the media the PC police or who?

[TornadoAlley3]

I doubt the people in wheelchairs, parents of children with MD, clinging to hope for a cure, care about any F words Jerry may utter.

[claudiustg]

DIRE STRAITS, Money For Nothing: “That little faggot got his own jet
airplane...that little faggot he’s a millionaire.”

[Michael.SF.]

Let's ignore the fact that he helped to raise over $60,000,000 and create a controversy that could ruin the guy, or stop future fund raising by him, because he may have offended a few queers.

We do have to have priorities.

/sarcasm

[stm]

We must stamp out illiteracy amongst the obese NOW! Support your local chapter of Project Teach a Fatty to Read. No fatty left behind.

[Michael.SF.]

Can someone post a link to the video, It did not appear on the ABC website, or I missed it.

[TexasCajun]

Where has all the money gone?

I've been watching this annual telethon for over 30 yrs now.

How about an audit?

[jdm]

Here is what he said slowed down (it repeats 10 times and gets slower each time).

http://tinyurl.com/2otaa3

There is definitely a G sound, but there is no T sound on the end.

[marshmallow]

I tuned in for about 2 minutes on Monday afternoon. It was enough to hear Lewis blaspheme ("fer Chr*st's sake!") and make a tasteless remark about a porno movie.

I was totally underwhelmed and quickly flipped back to watching Tiger and Phil do battle.

[mnehrling]

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is one of the best run charities according to charitywatch.com (very trustworthy site).

They received an A- rating, which is very good.

http://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html
(listed under Health-General)

[bk1000]

An 81 year old, tireless comedic icon who raises millions yearly to fight a children's disease says faggot.How dare he utter such a sound!!!?? Let's now call for his downfall because he has been momentarily insensitive to homos. This has gotten old. Insensitivity is not a crime.

[gathersnomoss]

That’s it, off with his head.

[RightWhale]

actor Isaiah Washington reportedly called his "Grey's Anatomy" co-star T.R. Knight a "faggot" earlier this year, causing a controversy that led to his removal from the ABC series.

Lewis isn't working for anybody but himself.

[balch3]

I heard he bashed President Bush and/or the Iraq war also?

[SIDENET]

LOL.

[One_American]

Oh Dean!!!......Oh Dean!!!

[beachn4fun]

You can say that again.

just kidding

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I filled it in with "illiterate father." Either way everyone should give the poor guy a break. He is 81 years old and still doing charity work the way it ought to be done. Bless him for that.

If he did say it it's because he grew up in a time when it was okay to say it. Way back when everyone knew it was wrong, even those who did it. I'm sure he is bows to the pc crowd on this subject most of the time.

[DoughtyOne]

Hey! LOL

[gracesdad]

From what I’ve heard — I don’t have a link — he said something about children dying in Iraq for no reason but people have the chance to save thousands of kids suffering from neuromuscaler disease. Can’t say if it’s true as I wasn’t watching.

[YouPosting2Me]

LADY!!!

[Ole Okie]

An 81 year old, tireless comedic icon who raises millions yearly to fight a children's disease says faggot.How dare he utter such a sound!!!?? Let's now call for his downfall because he has been momentarily insensitive to homos. This has gotten old. Insensitivity is not a crime.

And in addition, that 81 year old, tireless comedic icon has pulmonary fibrosis, a very difficult disease.

I agree with you, this PC crap has gotten old, old, old.

[jonrick46]

My question: Why did the word faggothave to begin with the letter F? Then it would never be called the "F-word." By calling it the "F-word," it puts the name faggot on the level of the other "F-word."

Actually this is a lesson in the meaning of words. A faggot in its original meaning, is a bundle of sticks; something I would use to start a fire. It is in my thinking an appropriate word for the homosexual. Since one tosses ones role as husband and father on the fire by being a homosexual, the word faggot is appropriate. Even though the word came to mean an ill-tempered woman, the original British use for something of less worth; something they applied to lower classman who performed chores for upperclassmen. In 17th Century England, such lower classmen were treated like worthless dogs. These students were given a hard inducement to move up to be upperclassmen. Otherwise, they would remain the worthless faggots that the order of student life caused them to be.

Whether Jerry Lewis called someone a fatty or a faggot, the lesson with this is that one can strive to become better. One can strive to help their fellow man. One can strive to lose weight. One can strive to improve their moral choices. One can move out of faggotry to be a husband and a father; someone who is valued by a wife who loves them.

[fatnotlazy]

Many years ago, some local radio personality here said something to the effect that every time the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon comes on, he remembers to take his wallet with him at all times — even in the shower. The guy got a lot of flack for that remark — presumably thousands of angry letters and phone calls (the internet and e-mail weren’t around then) from people who like and admire Mr. Lewis and the MDA.

[Nonstatist]

My guess is that what he really said was “fagaleh”, which is Yiddish for “little bird,” (and incidently is also a slang term for effeminate homosexual). So what would be so bad about that? Come here, little birdie!

[Former MSM Viewer]

Oh, he’ll never get laid again...

LOL

[beachn4fun]

Sorry

couldn’t help it

;)

[RedRover]

Funny he’s not being criticized for not being funny.

[JennysCool]

The idiots at ABC News do realize we hear that, and worse, from nearly every comic working these days, do they not?

I hate it when media outlets feign shock and surprise in order to get someone in trouble for not being as PC as they are. What a bunch of frauds.

[Cyman]

I bravely predict his career is over

[hosepipe]

I get the distinct impression Lewis is a bully trying to act nice.. or merely a hypocrite..
He has all the charisma of Don Rickles withOUT the faux smile..

[nonsporting]

LADY!!!

LOL!

I think Jerry was just being absent-minded. Much ado about nothing. Faggotaboutit.