Comics Alonzo Bodden, winner of season 3 of "Last Comic Standing" and host of the podcast "Who's Paying Attention?," and former "Whose Line Is It Anyway" star Greg Proops, who is host of the podcast "The Smartest Man in the World," joined KNX In-Depth to talk about the apology from Jay Leno that's been making the rounds.
Leno recently apologized for his jokes about those who are of Asian descent during his tenure on "The Tonight Show."
In a press release released by Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA), Leno said, "At the time I did those jokes, I genuinely thought them to be harmless. I was making fun of our enemy North Korea, and like most jokes, there was a ring of truth to them. At the time, there was a prevailing attitude that some group is always complaining about something, so don't worry about it. 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."
Should comics have to go back and apologize, as Leno has now done, for jokes he or she delivered years back?
"No. I have some personal experience with this in that a couple of years ago, when Jay had the controversy over the joke he told on "America's Got Talent," Alonzo says.
"And I was asked 'Is Jay Leno a racist?' and I said 'No, it is a cheap stereotype joke,"' he continued, adding that's what he was doing on the show 10 -15 years ago. "I myself have done jokes in the past that I wouldn't do today. Times change. Sensibilities change. And as a comic, you change. You grow, you get better."
Alonzo added: "Comics are not politicians. So when we see say something, it's not the same as when a politician says it as far as the impact on society. This horrible hatred against Asians is more coming from people talking about "Asian flu," and "Kung flu" than any joke a comic made 10 or 15 years ago."
Greg said, "As Alonzo says I concur most heartedly, there are many more politicians who have to deal with the day to day racism and vitriol that they spew, that is repeated, without any questions, by a lot of mainstream media outlets."
Greg shared that Leno apologized and he did the right thing.
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He said moving forward, comics should own that and play at a higher plane.
Both agree that the crowd is the ultimate barometer.
Alonzo recounted an experience in Florida where he was making fun of anti-maskers and people were walking out.
"What am I supposed to do? Oh I am sorry I offended you with science? Everything...somebody is going to be upset about," he said.
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