You’d think that after 16 years as host of NBC’s The Tonight Show, Jay Leno would realize that every word that comes out of his mouth – whether they be said during his opening monologue or during interviews with the many celebrities he draws each year – has the potential to be scrutinized, analyzed, and examined.
Apparently Mr. Leno didn’t get the memo.
He’s apologizing today for remarks he made last week in an on-air interview with Stop-Loss’ Ryan Phillippe. In talking about Phillippe’s first role as a gay teenager on the soap opera One Life to Live, Leno asked him to look into the camera and give it his “gayest look.” An obviously very uncomfortable Phillippe said “that is so something I don’t want to do.”
Gay activists such as GLAAD president Neil G. Giuliano praised Phillippe for his actions but cried foul over Leno’s – Giuliano said “we are proud of Ryan for refusing to participate in Leno’s thoughtless attempt at humor. Under the guise of comedy, the talk show host is demonstrating a lack of respect for the gay community and insensitivity to both his co-workers and the audience, to whom he owes an apology.”
Leno granted Giuliano his wish and apologized today – but c’mon Leno, you should know better than to say things like that in the first place. Your words and the words of all of the other celebrities you talk to are studied more than a history textbook. Just do the front page test – if you aren’t comfortable with every word you say winding up on the front page of The New York Times, then dude, don’t say it. We know you meant no harm, but let’s get real here. You’re a professional, right?
Kudos to Phillippe for refusing to participate in any joking that pokes fun at anyone, and may this be a lesson to Leno and all other celebrities that the world, whether you like it or not, really is listening to what you say.