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Gilbert Gottfried apologizes for Japan tweets. Not so funny when you lose your job, eh?
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On Monday (March 14) Gilbert Gottfried, best known as the voice of the Aflac duck, lost that gig when he tweeted some really reprehensible jokes about last week's Japan earthquake and tsunami.Amongst several other now-removed gems, Gottfried tweeted, "I just split up with my girlfriend, but like the Japanese say, 'They'll be another one floating by any minute now.'"
None of which came as much of a surprise to regular followers of Gottfried's Twitter account. His feed is littered with off-color material, expletives and racially charged "jokes."
On Tuesday (March 15), however, Gottfried seems to be tweeting to a different tune. He posted two messages to convey his regret at having offended anyone:
I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my attempt at humor regarding the tragedy in Japan.
Gilbert Gottfried
RealGilbert
and
I meant no disrespect, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families.Gilbert Gottfried
RealGilbert
Howard Stern, who has Gottfried on as a frequent guest on his satellite radio show, also weighed in on the controversy Tuesday morning.
"Here's a guy who as long as I know him has been making jokes about the n-word, about Jews," said Stern. "I mean, you couldn't ask for a more inappropriate human being than Gilbert Gottfried ... When the Aflac people hired him to be the Aflac duck, they knew all of this. They know this is an offensive guy ... this guy is offensive. There's no reason for him to be fired."
So far, Aflac hasn't announced any plans to reverse their decision.
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Being "offensive" is one thing.
Making a joke about a potential Japanese woman " floating by " while the world is watching the horrific devestation in Japan is quite a different thing.
What he did was BEYOND insensitive it's was horrid and NOT FUNNY at all.
wish people can be kind to one another
I def AGREE with LAuren
Best known for Aflac the duck? Wtf is Aflac?
It's only offensive in this moment because in this moment, America is actually caring about this disaster. In about three weeks, this country will go back to contently watching 'Jersey Shore' and 'American Idol' while slamming down dollar menu burgers and texting at the wheel. In about three weeks, this disaster will just be another 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and BP oil spill.
I think he was hysterical. If you really want to laugh, catch him on a Comedy Central Roast.
The guy is an *** and even Leno wouldn't want him on his show anymore. How stupid can one person be!
Best known as the voice of the Aflac duck? Very little in the seven syllables Gottfried mumbled as a spokesperson for Aflac made him identifiable, much less known.
shame on that jerk he can forget about being a perfect role model for some people i have lost all respect for you and i donot support yu