We live in a society that has become increasingly intolerable of intolerance; with intolerance (in this instance) being defined as the offensive labels we attach and express to one another. Termed political incorrectness, we find that our words can be offensive if those words are ones that denote some kind of negative connotation in regards to race, ethnicity and the like. While these standards of civility apply to all of us, celebrities tend to find themselves the target of its application in a much more public and consequential nature. When the spotlight is on the famous, we tend to pay closer attention (and at times have a much more judgmental opinion and level of condemnation). Then, there is the “what the heck were they thinking” reaction. Such is the case with these celebrities that make our top ten politically incorrect celebrity moments.
10. Charlie Sheen
What more can we say about ol’ Charlie? This guy has been in a downward spiral for years. Quite literally, he is a ticking time bomb that is waiting to explode. No list dealing with celebrity screw-ups would be complete without including Mr. Sheen in some capacity. Actually, in comparison with everyone else that populates this list, Charlie’s comments are fairly tame (though typical Charlie in all his vulgarity). The scene for this particular rant was years in the making. Charlie and ex-wife Denise Richards have had a long and ongoing feud dealing with Charlie’s problems and their own domestic issues. In one particular phone call that Charlie made to Denise, Charlie said, “I hope I never f*cking talk to you again you f*cking cunt. F*ck you. You’re a coward and a liar and a f*cking n*gg*r alright, so f*ck you.” Now Ms. Richards is white, so calling her a n*gg*r is an interesting twist that you don’t hear too often. You got to give Charlie credit for being original in his use of politically incorrect words.
9. Russell Crowe
Here is a situation where a difference of opinion was construed as an attack. I’ll let you be the judge. Mr. Crowe is a renowned actor that hails from down under. With movies such as Gladiator and Body of Lies to his credit, his acting chops are not in dispute. His social graces, on the other hand, could use a little polishing. Deciding to make his personal opinions public via Twitter, Mr. Crowe posted a Tweet that read “Circumcision is barbaric and stupid. Who are you to correct nature? Is it real that GOD requires a donation of foreskin? Babies are perfect.” Well, what did he say that for? Crow was inundated with responses, many of which accused the actor of being anti-Semitic. Crowe, however, did not back down from the fracas. Even when he was confronted with the role of circumcision in Jewish traditions, Crowe responded that “the Mayans had ceremonial acts too.” (These were brutal blood offering ceremonies for those not familiar with them) Why did he say THAT? Now he was being accused of comparing monotheistic Judaism with the pagan practices of the Mayans. Crowe was not endearing himself to his adoring audience. At the end of the day, Crowe removed himself from the raging online controversy by tweeting “I will always stand for the perfection of babies, I will always believe in God, not man’s interpretation of what God requires” and “if u feel it yr right 2 cut things off yr babies please unfollow an f**k off, I’ll take attentive parenting over barbarism.” Ant that was pretty much that
8. Kobe Bryant
There are a lot of young kids who idolize and other wise look up to professional athletes. Kobe Bryant is no exception, as he has become one of the most popular players in the NBA. His popularity (at least among the gay community) took a hit when Kobe’s mouth got the better of him when he found himself on the receiving end of a referee’s call that he didn’t agree with. Instead of just walking away (which always surprises me when this doesn’t happen because it’s not like a ref is going to change his call just because a player throws a fit), Kobe decided to make his case. Not particularly caring for the referee’s reaction (he wasn’t trying to hear it); Kobe yells the ref’s name (Bennie) to get his attention and then calls him a “f*cking faggot.” Granted – this wasn’t as ostentatious as an all-out brawl or something of that nature, but Kobe was clearly caught on camera; with the results being predictable. Gay rights groups immediately called for Kobe’s faux pas. The NBA issued a statement saying that homophobic slurs would not be tolerated and quickly fined the superstar. Kobe, for his part, made a public apology and met with several gay rights groups. The crazy thing is, is that I don’t believe that the ref called a technical foul for verbal abuse (someone can correct me if I’m wrong.)
7. Rush Limbaugh
Maybe this guy ought to be much higher on the list. The only reason that he wasn’t is that this is the type of things that you can expect from a white, wealthy, ultra-conservative radio personality like Rush. A lot of people find what Rush has to say as problematic, divisive and often offensive. The sheer volume of the stuff Rush says that falls into one of the aforementioned categories of issues would fill a series of books. Here’s a small (very small) sampling: 1) “Look, let me put it to you this way: the NFL all too often looks like a game between Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.” 2) “The NCAAP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies.” 3) “They’re (African Americans) 12% of the population. Who the hell cares?” 4) While talking to an African American caller, “Take that bone out of your nose and call me back.” 5) “We need segregated buses…this is Obama’s America.” Words speak volumes and Rush has done a lot of talking.
6. Duane Chapman (Dog the Bounty Hunter)
The big, bad Dog the bounty hunter has an issue with maintaining his celebrity image despite his private insensitivities. Duane is known as a serious and professional bounty hunter. In fact, he has been described as the best bounty hunter in the United States. And this was all before he became a well-known celebrity as a result of the cable TV show that follows his exploits. Needless to say, one expects a guy who chases down bad guys for a living to have a few rough edges – the camera just smoothes them out for a general audience. Still, the TV show has made Dog quite a bit of money and naturally, he doesn’t want to lose the lifestyle that comes along with wealth. This was the premise of Duane’s rant to his son that (of course) was recorded and released to the media. The issue at hand was his son’s involvement with an African American woman. Here’s what Duane had to say: “…it’s not because she’s black, it’s because we use the word n*gg*r sometimes here. I’m not going to take a chance ever in life of losing everything I’ve worked for, for 30 years because some f*cking n*gg*r heard us say n*gg*r and turned us into the Enquirer Magazine. Our career is over. …If Lisa was dating a n*gg*r, we would all say ‘f*ck you’ and you know that. ….it’s not that they’re black, it’s none of that, it’s that we use the word “n*gg*r, we don’t mean ‘you f*cking scum n*gg*r without a soul,’ we don’t mean that shit but America would think we mean that. And we’re not taking a chance on losing everything we got over a racial slur because our son goes with a girl like that.” Sorry Dog – now we know that you use the n – word.
5. Michael Richards
Most of you know Michael Richards as the indelible neighbor and friend Kramer Kosmo during his run on the hit TV show Sienfeld. Richard made millions laugh with his zany antics and erratic behavior. Unfortunately, the laughs came to a screeching halt while Richard’s was in the middle of his comedy stand-up act one evening at the Laugh Factory in L.A. At some point during his routine, a group of folks in the audience began to heckle Richards. Now in his defense – Richards is a comedian. The last thing you want to do is heckle a comedian on stage – usually, you will find yourself on the receiving end of some very embarrassing comments (to the enjoyment of everyone else in attendance). Alas, the ‘usual’ did not happen. No, instead of coming up with something witty, Richards played the race card. The beloved comedian began shouting back at his hecklers; yelling “shut up! Fifty years ago we’d have you upside down and a f*cking fork up your ass.” There is an actual audible gasp in response from the audience. Richard, apparently caught up in the moment, then just jumps into the deep end of the pool of controversy by saying, “That’s what happens when you interrupt a white man, don’t you know?” Oh we know all right, as Richards came under intense criticism that seriously threatened his comedic career (with the exception of KKK and white supremist rallies). Richard quickly apologized for his remarks.
4. Tracy Morgan
And then there is Tracy Morgan. This Saturday Night Live album has recently managed to break into mainstream celebrity work, with films and a hit TV show (3rd Rock) to his credit. All of this was put into jeopardy while – now wait for it… yep, while performing his stand-up routine in Nashville. His target: gays. I guess that word had not gotten out to Tracy that disparaging gays was offensive homosexual remarks is not cool these days. Missing the memo, Tracy had a number of things to say regarding the gay and lesbian folks; namely, that “Gays need to stop being p*ssies and not be whining about something as insignificant as bullying.” Then, to top it off, he remarked, “My son better talk to me like a man and not in a gay voice or I’ll pull out a knife and stab that little n*gg*r to death.” I don’t know, maybe you had to be there, but those remarks don’t sound even remotely funny. Ironically, Tracy also said, “I don’t care if I piss off some gays, because if they can take a f*cking d*ck up their *ss… they can take a f*cking joke.” Well, he did piss off some gays – a lot of them. And apparently he cares. As the heat that generated from this homophobic rant was turned up, Tracy quickly apologized – profusely. In fact, more so than any other offender, Tracy has engaged in an “I’m Sorry” campaign – he’s visiting and speaking with gay and lesbian groups and taking every public opportunity to express his apologies. Sorry Tracy, some folks can’t (won’t) take a bad and insensitive joke – rightly so.
3. Kat Williams
Really, I’m thinking – perhaps, those comedians should get a pass on being labeled politically incorrect… Naw- then I wouldn’t have much of a list. Ok, if you don’t know who Kat Williams is, well you ought to check out the guy on YouTube. Suffice to say, he doesn’t bite his tongue – at all. While this usually produces some great comedy (if you’re into his style of comedy!); it can get the guy in some hot water. Such was the case while Kat was performing in Arizona. A heckler (comedians responding to hecklers are a common theme, it seems) decides to engage Kat. Not smart. Kat is one of those comedians that will get the entire venue laughing at you if he has you in his sights. On this particular occasion, Kat launches into a verbal barrage that lasts for several minutes (and to the pleasure of the audience) that some have subsequently labeled as anti-Mexican. Kat made such statements as “F*ck you back, n*gga. i bet you dont even go to mexico, motha f*cka… no n*gga, do you know where you at? USA! USA! I dont give a f*ck. no n*gga, this is my hood… F*ck him! Mothaf*ckas think they can live in this country and pledge allegience to another country… do you remember when white people used to say go back to Africa? And we’d have to tell them we dont want to? So if you love Mexico, bitch, get the f*ck over there! …We were slaves bitch, you just all work like that at the landscapers… It’s not even racial — you’re a bitch! I don’t give a f*ck what race that is, that’s a p*ssy.” A week later, a media firestorm ensued as the comments were disseminated to the media. Kat, for his part, remains unapologetic. He says that he is not anti-Mexican and that he was defending America with his remarks. Hmmm…
2. Mel Gibson (Round 1)
The angry mad Max character played by actor Mel Gibson has quite a bit in common with his portrayer. The character, distraught over the murder of his family by outlaws and thrown into a post-apocalyptic world, hates the world and everyone in it. Apparently, Mr. Gibson harbors similar sentiments in regards to all kinds of people. While Mel’s recent rants about African Americans and Jews raised eyebrows, it was not his first foray into the arena of political incorrectness (or in Mel’s case, just plain offensive and rude). Back in the early 90’s political (when someone could get away with anti-gay comments without much backlash) Mel responded to a question about gays with “They take it up the *ss.” He then laughs at his own wit, stands up and while pointing at his rear end, says “This is only for taking a sh*t!” Naturally, Mel was repeatedly asked about his wild comments. Even years later, completely unrepentant, Mel responded, “They [gays] can f*ck off.” Well at least we know how you REALLY feel Mel!
1. Mel Gibson (Round 2)
The ultra-rugged big screen personality tops our list. Yep, he’s a repeat and equal opportunity offender – the guy just can’t stop himself. Jews, Latinos, African Americans and gays have all felt the scathing heat that emanates from Mel’s mouth. All Mel needs in an excuse. Take the incident when Mel was pulled over by the police for driving under the influence. Perturbed, Mel remarked to the officer “F*cking Jews… The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world… (then, one supposes realizing what he just said) asks the cop, ‘are you a Jew?’” But wait, there’s more: Mel’s latest rant comes in the midst of a little domestic trouble at home with the missis (namely, his girlfriend at the time). During a very heated exchange between said girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva (conveniently recorded by the traumatized lady and subsequently released to the press – natch), Mel explodes with, “You look like a f*cking pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n*gg*rs, it will be your fault.” Lordy, what would Danny Glover, Mel’s co-star in the Lethal Weapon movies, think of such caustic remarks? Needless to say, such outburst did not work in Mel’s favor in court. The actor recently settled this domestic drama with a very lucrative arrangement for Ms. Grigorieva.
Post written by Lee Standberry
