Why should a celebrity have to apologize for anything they say?

[Rex]

I thought it was all for the 'entertainment value' of the show or label or brand? If you don't like it, switch the channel! If you hear it somewhere else and don't like what is said, well don't watch the show or support the channel's sponsors.

That easy.

[Lilith Velkor]

1. They shouldn't - Letterman chose to.

A classy decision on his part.

[Raspberry]

2. Does the same thing apply to Imus

and his disgusting remark?

[Rex]

3. I don't know, is he a pundit or a shock jock?

We need to parse the waters here on what is an apple and what is an orange.

[rvablue]

11. Does the same thing apply to Pigboy Limbaugh

and his remark that Chelsea Clinton looked like a dog?

Because, according to your reasoning, he should have been off the air more than a decade ago.

But his listeners don't care what he says -- he feeds their hate and ignorance -- that's enough for them.

[paulsby]

15. or michael richards? nt

[pipoman]

4. Why?

Maybe to appease their sponsors. Maybe to appease their fans/audience. Maybe to save face. Maybe because they regret what they said or how it could be interpreted. Maybe the celebrity doesn't want you to change the channel. Maybe the celebrity wants you to watch the show and support the channel's sponsors.

[pipoman]

5. A better question would be why would a celebrity choose to

alienate 1/2 of the population by being partisan?

[spanone]

6. has ru$h limbaugh apologized for calling a federal judge racist?

[Rex]

No and Dick Cheney never apologizes for anything, yet he is a supposed politician.

I'd so like to see all this mock 'ire' aimed at foxnews 24/7. :eyes:

[virgogal]

7. Apologies have become meaningless.

[liberalhistorian]

8. It seems that we DUers feel that way when it's a liberal or progressive

celebrity. Funny, though, I don't hear the same sentiments when the celebrity is on the other side of the political fence. While I certainly agree with your premise, it needs to apply to ALL celebrities, including conservatives, and not just those we agree with.

[Rex]

9. Maybe celebrity is the wrong word, how about talk show host

can say whatever they want to...oh wait they already do. How about pundit, if you claim to be a pundit then you hold a responsibility to the civil class to be refrained and informative. If you deem yourself to be a 'talk show host', then anything goes until your sponsors pull the plug.

[Shrek]

12. Exactly

I don't seem to remember too many people claiming there was no need for an apology from Don Imus.

(P.S. nice to see you around! )

[Crabby Appleton]

10. What do you think about Michael Richards comedy routine?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv_ac-op8IA

[Rex]

13. Not very funny.

But I never thought he was funny at all.

[ColbertWatcher]

14. I think that's different.

Only because he made the comments that got him in trouble outside of his performance.

If I recall that evening correctly, he was doing his comedy routine, it was failing, the audience heckled him and then he broke character and lashed out.

He is a celebrity, but the comments that got him in trouble were not made by "the celebrity" but by a citizen.

Comedians get to say things other people don't for the same reason that an ambulance gets to speed.

[paulsby]

16. sorry. fail

interaction with the audience is part of a comedian's performance, and that includes bashing hecklers.

seriously. either you are completely unfamiliar with standup comedy, or you are drawing a false distinction to excuse richards from the earlier claim about who shouldn't apologize.

standup comedy is not merely standing on a stage and telling jokes, although for some it is. it also includes interaction with the audience, and that includes bashing hecklers, making fun of audience member's clothes etc.

long history of that.

sorry. fail