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Jay Leno apologizes to Asian Americans for decade of 'wrong' jokes

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I like Jay Leno and was in the audience like 10 years ago. The question is when he made the jokes nany years ago, did people make a fuss then or only now? Cancel Culture Inc seems to have staff working around the clock gravedigging old tweets and TV shows.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

I can remember when Korean soccer player Park Sung Ji played at Manchester United. His own fans would sing.... " He shoots, he scores, he eats labradors!" Wouldn't be PC now of course. But considered hilarious at the time.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Jay doesn't need to apologize for anything, especially for jokes made decades ago.

Those who take offense should try growing a thicker skin.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

Because Koreans and Chinese do eat dogs, I have no idea why jokes on their hot dogs should be offensive

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Jokes is a thing, racism is another one.

I don’t mind jokes about my country/people, at all.

While I am all for anti-racism, and recognise that lots have to be done, specially regarding the asian racism that is mostly ignored and “accepted”, we have to understand that we cannot go to the extreme of not being able to even crack a joke.

Extremes are never good to be at, its all about the balance.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

What a mature and reasonable response. Well done, Mr. Leno.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

What a mature and reasonable response. Well done, Mr. Leno.

Maybe.

Can you tell us which cultures we can and can’t make jokes about? Is it all of them? Can people make self-deprecating jokes about their own cultures? I like doing this.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Can you tell us which cultures we can and can’t make jokes about? Is it all of them? Can people make self-deprecating jokes about their own cultures? I like doing this.

While I'm flattered to be thought of as such, I am not the font of all knowledge and arbiter of laws when it comes to comedy.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Such "jokes" were not funny decades ago. However, it shows that he is willing to change with the times, even if it doesn't resurrect his career.

It's heartening to see some boomers can move with the times, as so many people of a certain age are resistant to change, and new ways of thinking. As it ever was, and so shall be.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Do jokes lead to assaults on any ethnic group? Seems a stretch.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Such "jokes" were not funny decades ago.

That's a matter of opinion. All jokes are a matter of opinion. The audience matters too.

Leno's jokes were for an American audience. I don't dislike Jay, but never watched any of his shows either. At that time of night, we always had better things to do than watch talk/marketing TV.

In these forums, we see terrible generalizations and jokes about different groups daily.

My rules for what can be joked about hasn't changed.

Don't make fun of physical attributes of people, but making fun of their behaviors, religion, and cultural oddities is fine. Thank Bob. Seinfeld has a way of pointing out common things in cultures, yet in a funny way. I laugh - especially when it it true of me and my culture. Laugh at myself is an important life coping tool for me - and it is fine if others laugh too.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Sometimes you know in your heart when you're overstepping the line. This part that he mentions is important. Can you resist the pressure of group dynamics, and not allow the flow to overcome your natural hesitancy?

Quote: "Whenever we received a complaint, there would be two sides to the discussion: either 'We need to deal with this' or 'Screw 'em if they can't take a joke.' "Too many times I sided with the latter even when in my heart I knew it was wrong. That is why I am issuing this apology. "

Of course this does also suggest that some jokes are still acceptable.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Its a sad when Leno has to try to get ahead of this BS cancel culture crap!!! He has NOTHING to apologise for!

A lot of this "progressive"" stuff is actually the opposite, society in the west is heading the way the Romans went way back, its not good.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

While I'm flattered to be thought of as such, I am not the font of all knowledge and arbiter of laws when it comes to comedy.

I didn’t think that for a second. I just asked for your opinion on what you think the boundaries should be. You seem to think that jokes about the dietary habits of some Chinese and Koreans are off-limits. Does this apply to the dietary habits of all countries?

I tend to go with the idea that what people think or do is fair game if the joke is based in truth.

How about you?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I didn’t think that for a second. I just asked for your opinion on what you think the boundaries should be. You seem to think that jokes about the dietary habits of some Chinese and Koreans are off-limits.

I said no such thing. What I said, in response to Leno's recognising that his jokes had been hurtful to many was to apologise and take responsibility for his action, was that his actions were mature and rational.

I tend to go with the idea that what people think or do is fair game if the joke is based in truth.

How about you?

It depends.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I didn’t think that for a second. I just asked for your opinion on what you think the boundaries should be. You seem to think that jokes about the dietary habits of some Chinese and Koreans are off-limits. 

I said no such thing. What I said, in response to Leno's recognising that his jokes had been hurtful to many was to apologise and take responsibility for his action, was that his actions were mature and rational.

Fair enough.

So do you or don’t you think that jokes about the dietary habits of Chinese and Koreans are off-limits?

It depends

On what?

I’m not being pedantic here. I’m just asking for your opinion on what you think should be off-limits. I think we need some guide or principle here to work with. You seem to be avoiding this.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Seinfeld has a way of pointing out common things in cultures, yet in a funny way. I laugh - especially when it it true of me and my culture.

Jerry Seinfeld sent up himself as well as others. It was a great show and still a lot funnier than that other group of pals who hung out in New York. There was no touchy feely group hug in Seinfeld, the pals annoyed each other all the time, and becuse of that - was funny. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is another show that pushes the envelope, even further.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

So do you or don’t you think that jokes about the dietary habits of Chinese and Koreans are off-limits?

Not as a rule. Pretty lazy joke writing, though, in my opinion.

On what?

Context.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

So do you or don’t you think that jokes about the dietary habits of Chinese and Koreans are off-limits?

How is this offensive?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

So do you or don’t you think that jokes about the dietary habits of Chinese and Koreans are off-limits?

How is this offensive?

This response makes absolutely zero sense. It is offensive in its total lack of coherence.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

How is this offensive?

A lazy joke, such as, "China wants to invade Taiwan? Well, with as many dogs as they eat, they must be barking mad!" is not just lazy, boring, and unfunny, but it conflates the acts (or plans) of a government (which are bad) with the entirety of the people (many of whom may not eat dog meat, and many of whom may disagree with the government).

This conflation with the people as a whole can make it so that people of Asian descent elsewhere, including the US, could be subject to discrimination based on something the citizens of another country do that they have nothing to do with, nor any influence over.

We Americans are stereotyped as fat, stupid, violent, and bigoted. If a Japanese comedian made a number of equally lazy, boring, unfunny jokes along these lines, say, "Americans want to invade Iraq? They'll have to fit their lard-ridden bodies through the door to the plane first!", and there was an uptick of foreign students being mocked as fat and stupid, you would surely agree that that is bad. It's the same as lazy, boring, unfunny "Chinese people eat dogs" jokes. Just yesterday you were saying how much you dislike lumping groups of people together, so I will take it as given that you agree with me on this point.

Comedy should, ideally, aim to be funny first. But it can also help to focus the audience's mind and morality. It's best to do this by making jokes at the expense of those doing wrong (such as, for example, the Chinese or US governments or leaders), rather than a mass of people who merely share a nationality (the Chinese or American people).

0 ( +2 / -2 )

This is a pretty good video on edgy comedy as a whole, in my view:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtj7LDYaufM

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This response makes absolutely zero sense.

Exactly, so how is it offensive?

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

So do you or don’t you think that jokes about the dietary habits of Chinese and Koreans are off-limits?

Not as a rule. Pretty lazy joke writing, though, in my opinion.

You are not being very clear here.

You seem to think Jay Leno was wrong to make jokes about the dietary habits of Chinese and Koreans. I can’t say I know much about him. Is it because the jokes came from him?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

We Americans are stereotyped as fat, stupid, violent, and bigoted. If a Japanese comedian made a number of equally lazy, boring, unfunny jokes along these lines, say, "Americans want to invade Iraq? They'll have to fit their lard-ridden bodies through the door to the plane first!", and there was an uptick of foreign students being mocked as fat and stupid, you would surely agree that that is bad. It's the same as lazy, boring, unfunny "Chinese people eat dogs" jokes. Just yesterday you were saying how much you dislike lumping groups of people together, so I will take it as given that you agree with me on this point.

Uhhhh, you’re not winning me over. If you say, in your opinion it’s offensive talking about the food these people eat, that’s your personal opinion, but if you say unequivocally it is, then that would depend on the individual and how they would perceive that joke, I think liberals have poisoned the well in making everyone think that speaking is now a cardinal sin and you’re not allowed to make fun of anything. We are now living in a humorless society and one day, our ancestors will look back and think how dumb we were to fall for all of this.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

You seem to think Jay Leno was wrong to make jokes about the dietary habits of Chinese and Koreans.

I've already made it clear that I was passing no judgement on the jokes, merely on Leno's apology, and his rationale behind apologising. You accepted this as "fair enough" earlier, but now seem to have forgotten this. You can see in my post above that I think jokes based on lazy stereotypes that have been done to death, while they shouldn't be "banned", are not funny. If you have a more adolescent sense of humor, that's your prerogative.

I can’t say I know much about him.

He is a former late night television show host. There's quite a wealth of information on him online.

Is it because the jokes came from him?

No. I don't understand how you came to this question.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

JoeintokyoToday  08:57 am JST

When facts are no joke:

-South Koreans eat more than 1 million dogs each year

-Each year in June, the city of Yulin in southern China hosts a dog meat festival, where live dogs and cats are sold specifically for eating and an estimated 10,000 are slaughtered for their meat.

Different folks eat different foods. In the American Deep South they eat rattlesnake and squirrel meat (I've eaten both) and they love 'prairie (or mountain) oysters' which are hog gonads (never ate 'em, never will). Aussies eat kangaroo meat (I've had that), Native Americans eat bison burgers (yum), Filipinos and people in California eat shark meat. Brazilians eat ants dipped in chocolate. We can all joke about each others' food but you never know unless you try it.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Uhhhh, you’re not winning me over.

Shocker.

If you say, in your opinion it’s offensive talking about the food these people eat, that’s your personal opinion, but if you say unequivocally it is, then that would depend on the individual and how they would perceive that joke, I think liberals have poisoned the well in making everyone think that speaking is now a cardinal sin and you’re not allowed to make fun of anything.

I didn't say it was offensive. You'll note that this is the first time I've used the word, "offensive" in my posts myself (that was the second).

We are now living in a humorless society and one day, our ancestors will look back and think how dumb we were to fall for all of this.

There are actually a number of funny television shows, online videos, and books being released all the time. What you're saying just isn't true.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

There are actually a number of funny television shows, online videos, and books being released all the time. What you're saying just isn't true.

Hey, if they can attack Dr. Suess and Pepe Le Pew, I’m not so sure...

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

It's best to do this by making jokes at the expense of those doing wrong (such as, for example, the Chinese or US governments or leaders), rather than a mass of people who merely share a nationality (the Chinese or American people).

How about a mass of people sharing beliefs?

Can we make jokes about the beliefs of the religious? Comedy greats like George Carlin, Bill Hicks and Billy Connolly did this brilliantly. I know many religious people were offended while others laughed along and I imagine some actually had their beliefs seriously challenged - a very good thing.

Comedy and satire are very good tools for getting people to question what they think, believe and do.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

an Apology, a Resolution & possibly, a Conclusion?

Jay Leno - “...when in my heart I knew it was wrong, a legitimate wrong that was done on my part. That is why I am issuing this apology.” -

MANAA - “Leno's apology had resolved the group's grievances with the comedian.”

Fair enough? Or, just ‘wishful thinking’ with many other social grievances?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Can we make jokes about the beliefs of the religious? Comedy greats like George Carlin, Bill Hicks and Billy Connolly did this brilliantly. I know many religious people were offended while others laughed along and I imagine some actually had their beliefs seriously challenged - a very good thing. 

Comedy and satire are very good tools for getting people to question what they think, believe and do.

I think we should be allowed to make jokes about anything because they’re just jokes, nothing more, they’re just “words”as Carlin once said. If you can’t laugh, what else can you do?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Comedy greats like George Carlin, Bill Hicks and Billy Connolly did this brilliantly.

Would love to hear what our liberal and right wing guardians think of BHs Rush Limbaugh routine. Or BCs Ken Bigley joke about getting on with beheading him...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Leno's jokes shamed me into giving up dog meat. Hope that no comedian starts making chicken feet and sheep testicle jokes or that will be two more of my faves that I will have to stop eating.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

On a side note: MANAA can ‘let it go’ Jay, but we will NOT forget the wrong You did to Conan O’Brien.

Leno hosted "The Tonight Show" for more than 20 years until he bowed(?) out in 2014.” - NOT quite.

Leno requested to move to a 1 hour ‘prime time’ show and retired from ‘Tonight’. Conan had his reached his ‘lifetime dream’ in the spot from *only *June ‘09 to Jan ‘10. When Leno’s prime-time show failed, he petitioned/demanded to get the ‘Tonight Show’ back. Conan graciously accepted to ‘monetary compensation’ to politely exit and obeyed the 1 year ‘on-air’ non-compete agreement, not to further ‘shame’ Leno’s selfish behavior. Leno was again ‘retired’ from the ‘Tonight Show’ just 4 years later.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Jay Leno absolutely hates when anyone brings up his poorly produced, directed and acted ‘Italian-American’ meets ‘Japanese-American’ 1989 ‘buddy cop’ movie with fellow standup comedian, Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita.

Spoilers: For those of you ‘triggered’ and offended by food references, even the ‘Amazon Editorial Review’ relates it to *ethic food stereotypes**: “They're about as different as hot dogs and sushi”.*

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.

Laugh in the whole world will laugh with you.

I guess not.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yeah, of course. But again, mocking all Christians as being, say, Bible-thumping homophobes is lazy, as there are many Christians who this just doesn't apply to.

I’m a Christian, some of it was funny, the stuff that was just made up, I laughed it off. Not thin-skinned.

Mocking the Westboro Baptist Church for the exact same reasons is definitely valid, though, as those things do apply to them.

Well, I can’t argue that point.

>

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

He just apologize to get his name out there.

It's basically the way companies and celebrities work now a days catering to the woke culture.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

A lazy joke, such as, "China wants to invade Taiwan? Well, with as many dogs as they eat, they must be barking mad!" is not just lazy, boring, and unfunny

I think what makes jokes like this an issue is the "they" factor. There's a big difference if your audience is the group your teasing, and/or when you turn it round to laugh at your own culture.

Laugh at yourself and the whole world will laugh with you. Laugh at others, and...

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

A lot of Asians have a problem with Koreans and their fondness for eating mans best friend. Leno was forced into a confession of his sins by the church of woke. This isn’t a race thing - it’s a culinary thing. Yes, Leno is a wimp.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Jay Leno offended you? Oh, you thought his jokes were racist? My sweet summer child... Wait until you hear Dave Chappelle share a few choice jokes.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Jimizo I don’t define myself as a liberal or a right winger but here’s my take.

I don’t know the Rush Limbaugh routine. I know the Ken Bigley joke. I thought Connolly should have used his comedic brilliance to skewer the Islamists and jihadis ( he has done this ) rather than joke about a man caught by the jihadis. A poor joke but not one that spread hate or discrimination. No need to send him sent to the gallows. The audience made their feelings clear.

I'm not a left or right winger either. This is the Rubbish Limberger routine. Fact is he never worked an honest day in his life. He blubbered on radio since he was 16. That was mental age of his 'Dittohead' audience (and they do call themselves that, BTW). He was ill-mannered, unprincipalled, racist, boorish, obnoxious. He always lipped off about people he knew zero about. We was an ignoramus and an idiot and his uncouth 'jokes' were for ignoramuses and idiots.

Long time ago at Caesars Palace Lake Tahoe I saw Smokey Robinson and his opening act was the Mexican comic Paul Rodriguez. He made jokes that poked fun at the stereotypes of White Americans, Black Americans and Japanese and others but not at the people themselves. He didn't use racist slur words either. The ballroom audience had people of all these categories (incl. myself) and then some; and we all got some good yuks from it. If Smokey thought this guy was a dumb racist juvenile loudmouth, I don't think he would've taken him along as an opening act on his tour.

Around 2004 there was an ugly incident where Michael Richards (Seinfeld) told some really disgustingly unfunny jokes which would've been repulsive (even without a racist element) by their very nature but he used it explicitly about blacks and he used racist slur words about them. Even Jerry Seinfeld was disgusted and said so on TV.

There's a big difference between poking fun and laughing at ourselves and being an uncouth sociopathic jackass like Donald Trump who tells immature unpresidential 'kung flu' jokes. That ain't funny at all.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

zichi:

Koreans are also Asians.

Yes. I noticed that.

Oh wait, I get it. You think only white people like Leno can be bigots. I keep expecting it to dawn on people that way of thinking is nonsensical but alas they persist.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@BigYen, your Vietnamese joke made me laugh, and it is a good example of jokes that make fun of one's own culture.

The link below is of a Japanese comedian speaking to a British audience, and making fun of both Britain and Japan. It's funny-ish.

http://www.bitoffun.com/video_vault/yuriko-kotani-ish.htm

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why is Jay Leno apologizing? Preemptive action to avoid getting burned? Seriously, if everyone can just get off this "cancel culture" train, our society would be a much better place....

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Re: Making fun of one’s own culture being good (?)

This doesn’t work if you’re a foreigner in Japan and you make fun of your home country culture.

Making fun of ANY culture is an uncomfortable downer for many conversations, especially in a group. Just bad manners. Also, the thinking is If you can’t fit in with your own culture, there’s something wrong with YOU.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don’t think the five Black women beat up the poor Korean store owner in Houston because of Leno’s jokes.

All Democrat run cities are now in shambles due to defunding of police, influx of illegal immigrants and drugs, and lack of criminal enforcement. Asians and non-Asians like should stay away.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

 Korean soccer player Park Sung Ji played at Manchester United. His own fans would sing.... " He shoots, he scores, he eats labradors!"

He shoots, he misses...he eats Japanese spitzes?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm not a left or right winger either. This is the Rubbish Limberger routine. Fact is he never worked an honest day in his life. He blubbered on radio since he was 16.

It's Rush Limbaugh. He earned money in exchange for goods, so that is working, he's made millions through his political analysis which inspired hand over 30 million listeners, now you may not like the guy, but 30 million loyal followers to keep is by all means no easy task, so every penny the guy had, he earned it. It may not be by shoveling bricks, but who cares, the fact is, he made it and the people that hate didn't so the guy is definitely an inspiration and the epitome of success which is irrefutable.

That was mental age of his 'Dittohead' audience (and they do call themselves that, BTW). He was ill-mannered, unprincipalled, racist, boorish, obnoxious.

I disagree, he just wouldn't bow down to the liberal mob until the bitter end, admirable to say the least.

He always lipped off about people he knew zero about.

You can apply that to literally any politician or news pundit.

We was an ignoramus and an idiot and his uncouth 'jokes' were for ignoramuses and idiots.

For the haters I am sure he was, but not for the millions that supported him, now to be fair, Rush has said things in the past that were not appropriate and the man has apologized for those remarks he received backlash from, and as humans we all make mistakes and the same goes for Leno. None of these men are racist, so let's get that one out of the way, now did they say something that could have been perceived as racially insensitive? Of course, but saying something racial doesn't make you a racist, let's not conflate the two.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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