Tonight Show host Jay Leno apologized Tuesday
after being roundly criticized for remarks he made
to guest Ryan Phillippe that aired March 19.
Tonight Show host Jay Leno apologized Tuesday
after being roundly criticized for remarks he made
to guest Ryan Phillippe that aired March 19.
"In talking about
Ryan's first role, I realize that what I said came out
wrong," Leno said in a statement. "I certainly didn't mean
any malice. I agree it was a dumb thing to say, and I
apologize."
Phillippe had
appeared on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno to
promote his latest film, Stop-Loss. In the course of
the interview Leno referenced the actor's portrayal on
One Life to Live as the first gay teen on a
daytime drama.
"Say that camera
was your gay lover," Leno said to Phillippe. "Give
that camera your gayest look. Say that camera is Billy Bob
who's just ridden in shirtless from Wyoming."
"Wow," said a
clearly uncomfortable Phillippe. "That is so something
I don't want to do."
While the Gay and
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation commended Phillippe
for not playing along, it condemned Leno for his comments.
"We are proud of
Ryan for refusing to participate in Leno's thoughtless
attempt at humor," GLAAD president Neil G. Giuliano said
in a press release. "Under the guise of comedy, the talk
show host is demonstrating a lack of respect for the
gay community and insensitivity to both his coworkers
and the audience, to whom he owes an apology." (The
Advocate)
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