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Lewis drops an anti-gay slur on telethon

NEW YORK - Jerry Lewis dropped an anti-gay slur — the same one that got Isaiah Washington of "Grey's Anatomy" in trouble — during the 18th hour of his annual Labor Day telethon.He apologized Tuesday for a "bad choice of words."
The 81-year-old showman — prowling about the stage during the live telecast Monday in Las Vegas — was goofing around and dodging his cameraman, then went into a ramble about imaginary family members.

"Oh, your family has come to see you," he said, speaking to the camera and gesturing toward thin air."You remember Bart, your older son," he said, and motioning toward another unseen character, "Jesse, the illiterate f-----."No," Lewis said, quickly stopping himself before continuing.Monday's monologue prompted a critical statement Tuesday from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

Neil Giuliano, GLAAD president, called Lewis' use of the term "simply unacceptable.""It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm's way," Giuliano said.In a statement Tuesday, Lewis said he was making "a joking comment to a member of my production team."

"I apologize to anyone who was offended," he went on. "Everyone who knows me understands that I hold no prejudices in this regard. In the family atmosphere of the telethon, I forget that not everyone knows me that well."That something like this would distract from the true purpose of the telethon pains me deeply. ... I accept responsibility for what I said. There are no excuses," he said.

Lewis' telethon, in its 42nd year, set a new record by raising $63.7 million to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, topping last year's event by $3 million.Comedian Jerry Lewis on Tuesday apologized for using the word "fag" as he broadcast his annual Labor Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy."That something like this would distract from the true purpose of the telethon pains me deeply," Lewis said in a written statement.

"The success of the show and all the good that will come of it shouldn't be lost because of one unfortunate word. I accept responsibility for what I said. There are no excuses. I am sorry."Earlier Tuesday, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation called on Lewis to apologize."Jerry Lewis' on-air use of this kind of anti-gay slur is simply unacceptable," GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano said in a statement posted on the group's Web site. "It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm's way."

In the 18th hour of the telethon Monday, Lewis, with his bow-tie undone and his shirt collar open, stumbled around the set at the South Coast Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada, marveling at the cameraman's ability to keep up with him."Look how good he moves that camera, you son of a gun. Wherever I go, he goes," said Lewis, 81."Let's see what you do with this over here," said the comedian and actor, who became famous as Dean Martin's slapstick partner on stage and in several films in the 1950s.Lewis then gestured toward two other cameras on the set."Oh, your family has come to see you. You remember Bart, your oldest son," he said, pointing to one camera.

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