Entertainment

Seinfeld‘s Jason Alexander Apologizes for ’Cricket Is Gay’ Remarks

Seinfelds Jason Alexander Apologizes for Gay Cricket Comments | GLAAD

Seinfeld's Jason Alexander (AP)

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) isn’t a group one wants on his or her bad side. Take, for instance, actor Kirk Cameron, who GLAAD launched a crusade against a few months ago. His offense? Stating his opposition to homosexuality. Then there was CNN’s Roland Martin, who GLAAD called out after some allegedly anti-gay Super Bowl tweeting. Rather than becoming the group’s newest target, Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander, who played “George” on the popular sitcom, quickly released an apology following some perceived anti-gay sentiment in an interview he gave on Friday.

Alexander‘s controversy happened on Craig Ferguson’s “The Late Late Show” last week. During his appearance, the actor repeatedly referred to cricket as a “gay sport.” The cricket pitch, too, he deemed “queer” and not, in essence, manly, The Huffington Post reports.

“You know how I know it’s really kind of a gay game? It’s the pitch,” Alexander, 52, said. “It’s the weirdest… It’s not like a manly baseball pitch; it’s a queer British gay pitch.”

Watch his comments and his demonstration of the “gay” pitch, below:

It didn‘t take long for controversy to commence and for bloggers and gay and lesbian media outlets to condemn Alexander’s words as “homophobic.” Perhaps learning from those public figures who have come before him, the former Seinfeld comic quickly apologized for statements that caused controversy and offense.

Alexander released a statement through Twitter (it was picked up by GLAAD), during which he made his swift apology. Here’s a portion of the long-winded commentary that the actor offered surrounding the matter:

…When Craig mentioned cricket I thought, “oh, goody – I have a comic bit about cricket I can do. Won’t that be entertaining?”. And so I did a chunk of this old routine and again referred to cricket as kind of “gay” – talking about the all white uniforms that never seem to get soiled; the break they take for tea time with a formal tea cart rolled onto the field, etc. I also did an exaggerated demonstration of the rather unusual way they pitch the cricket ball which is very dance-like with a rather unusual and exaggerated arm gesture. Again, the routine seemed to play very well and I thought it had been a good appearance.

Shortly after that however, a few of my Twitter followers made me aware that they were both gay and offended by the joke. And truthfully, I could not understand why. I do know that humor always points to the peccadillos or absurdities or glaring generalities of some kind of group or another – short, fat, bald, blonde, ethnic, smart, dumb, rich, poor, etc. It is hard to tell any kind of joke that couldn’t be seen as offensive to someone. But I truly did not understand why a gay person would be particularly offended by this routine.

However, troubled by the reaction of some, I asked a few of my gay friends about it. And at first, even they couldn’t quite find the offense in the bit. But as we explored it, we began to realize what was implied under the humor. I was basing my use of the word “gay” on the silly generalization that real men don’t do gentile, refined things and that my portrayal of the cricket pitch was pointedly effeminate , thereby suggesting that effeminate and gay were synonymous.

Seinfelds Jason Alexander Apologizes for Gay Cricket Comments | GLAAD

Alexander went on to apologize for his jokes, reiterating that it was not his intention to make anyone feel isolated or hurt as a result of his quips. He went on to say that he wishes for a society in which everyone can accept one another and laugh at one-liners like these, knowing “that there is no malice of diminishment intended.”

You can read the entire apology on the GLAAD web site.

Comments (80)

1 2
  • reasonflow
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:08am

    Saying your sorry for calling something “gay” is incredibly gay. Being offended by the statement is even more gay!

    Report Post »  
    • black9897
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 1:25pm

      But it might hurt someones feelings. We have to have laws to protect our sensitive feelings. I mean this is America after all, you can’t be running around with free speech.

      Report Post » black9897  
    • hacker2000
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 2:03pm

      JASON you ignorant FOOL !! I dare you to pick up a CRICKET BAT and walk out to a PITCH WITHOUT a HELMET and face these guys in the video below and see who is GAY….

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIqBCikoRyc

      .

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 2:41pm

      GEORGE: Shrinkage, again!!!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • commonsensefreethinker1
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 2:43pm

      Cricket is GAY!
      So why say your sorry? Oh, might miss out getting a job on another GAY SHOW.

      Report Post » commonsensefreethinker1  
    • Pat Magroin
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 3:05pm

      I thought gay was a compliment these days.

      Report Post »  
    • TheBlazeReader
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 4:05pm

      Don’t appologize for stating a FACT!

      Report Post » TheBlazeReader  
    • TAXEVERYONE
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 6:31pm

      Ugly American with more money than brains.

      Report Post » TAXEVERYONE  
    • Reason365
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 8:28pm

      Folded like a cricket “jersey”

      Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 5:25am

      I quite like the game of cricket (one day cricket anyway – test matches can last five days), and I thought Alexander was quite funny.

      Didn’t some judge say that it was no longer offensive to call something or someone “gay” recently?

      The gay brigade has most of hollywood whipped and cowering.

      Sad, really.

      Report Post »  
  • recoveringneocon
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:00am

    After Soccer Cricket is the most watched sport.

    Report Post » recoveringneocon  
  • LameLiberals
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:57am

    What HYPOCRISY!

    Why is it that Bill Mahr and Jon whatever his name is are EXCUSED FOR INSULTING CONSERVATIVES – ESPECIALLY CONSERVATIVE WOMEN – because they are COMEDIANS yet this Seinfeld guy – ALSO A COMEDIAN – has to APOLOGIZE.

    Answer: Because liberals are HYPOCRITES. It is FINE to INSULT CONSERVATIVES as a comedian but NOT gays.

    Report Post »  
  • Nemo13
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:54am

    “At out local high school, Saturday night, a gay girl, in a Tux with a female date, was crowned PROM KING!”

    School brainwashing. Parents should remove their children from that school immediately. Home school or private school. It’s never too late to save a child from idiots.

    Report Post »  
  • gunndish
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:52am

    Normally, I don’t comment on this sort of thing … however … Jason Alexander calling ANYTHING gay, is just so wrong!!! … I’ve always been of the opinion that “Costanza” couldn’t get laid at a dude ranch if he were cluthing a fistful of hundred dollar bills!

    Report Post »  
  • Buckeye4ABO
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:47am

    I once offended an Asian female when I wrote “Asian females are hot!” Some people are even offended by compliments.

    Report Post »  
  • Nemo13
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:47am

    gays like any group that final gets the spotlight / soapbox are taking to opportunity to irritate normal society. Don’t give in to them. Ignore them or just say “Don’t let the door hit you in the A$$ on your way back into the closet” Haha…

    Report Post »  
  • SHOOTnCRASH
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:42am

    If cricket isn’t gay, then its incredibly metro-sexual.

    Report Post » SHOOTnCRASH  
  • Rob
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:40am

    At out local high school, Saturday night, a gay girl, in a Tux with a female date, was crowned PROM KING!

    Report Post »  
  • nappy
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:31am

    Cricket is gay. Live with it.

    Report Post »  
    • Tortilla
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:49am

      Yup, totally gay sport!! If it’s played by rich people, it’s gay, what’s that other rich person sport where they dress all queer and ride a horse with a mallet trying to hit a croquet ball?…. FULLY GAY!!!
      Jason should have never apologized. Saying you’re sorry was gay times two.

      Report Post »  
  • sandy21957
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:31am

    The Court said it wasn’t illegal to call someone “gay”. They need to stop getting their panties in a wade. The sport is gay. ‘Nough said.

    Report Post » sandy21957  
  • mikefromaltoona
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:30am

    The gays were angry that day my friends

    Report Post » mikefromaltoona  
    • dusko
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:39am

      Funniest post ever! Well said friend.

      Report Post » dusko  
  • KEL
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:24am

    My Father told me never bend or bow to a homosexual, too dangerous! Come on people, this is comedy!! Get over it!! Jason is terrific!!

    Report Post »  
  • CATSUEY
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:24am

    …not that there’s anything wrong with it….lol

    Report Post » CATSUEY  
  • morningzoo
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:22am

    cricket is not as gay as Michele Bachmann’s husband

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 11:24am

      Sentences start with a capital letter and end with a period. Learn how to write.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:18am

    So, to insult someone now, just say, You are so Cricket.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • PETTYDRAMA
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:09am

    If most of the the right wing “christians” that use this site as their bible hasd their way they would eradicate all gay people just for existing.

    Report Post » PETTYDRAMA  
    • RLTW
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:25am

      Untrue, but Marxist, liberal’s yea maybe.

      Report Post »  
    • TheSitRep
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:38am

      I don’t know about that. In fact, I would bet you that every bible thumping person on this site has a gay friend or relative that they love dearly. Sure, many gays are laughable in their effeminate mannerisms and of course the thought of two men boofooing each other is disgusting but, you have to understand, it ain’t hate, it’s just amusement.

      Report Post » TheSitRep  
    • Obama Snake Oil Co
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:38am

      You need’nt worry about that, he muslims will take care of that.

      Report Post » Obama Snake Oil Co  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 2:00pm

      Pettydrama – This is just more Marxist whining about someone saying something that you don’t like. If you had your way, Christians would be killed off from this planet.

      Report Post »  
  • normbal
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:08am

    okay, one more time for clarity. Language is fluid, dynamic, not static. “Gay” in the modern vernacular means “stupid,“ ”dumb.” It USED to mean light-hearted, happy. The left may have co-opted the word to make something which is anathema to the furtherance of human culture and damaging to the family and time-honored traditions sound better (“gay” versus, oh, “queer” or just plain “homosexual.), but calling a tail a leg doesn’t mean dogs have five legs, a tail is still a tail. Thinking that one can freeze the meaning of a word through the tools of the left (although powerful), like shaming, ridicule and/or threats of violence for those who don’t hold the same opinions is, well, gay.

    Report Post » normbal  
    • Optimist4now
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:29am

      Using the “phobe” card is almost as cliche as using the “race” card — [groups of] people are seen as different because of their differences, that’s life. Cricket is GAY!

      Report Post »  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 12:14pm

      Elaine of “Seinfeld” made it a mission and scored “one for the team”, however, her amour went back to “his team”. I am surprised Glaad has not asked that “Seinfeld” be pulled from tv re-runs. There were many comedy routines with issues that are getting a new face-lift in this PC society. Example: something could be made about the initials GLAAD because there is a popular brand used by many households. Years ago, I bought a meal replacement/snack named AYDS and when the AIDS problem came on the scene, I could no longer find this product on the shelf. There was an episode for Elaine “Seinfeld” that bought out the store of “sponges” and all of her amour-s had to be judged by how many encounters & sponges one amour would be worth using a particular number because she could no longer buy this brand of sponges off the shelf. (p.s.Elaine paid for her own contraceptions)
      And the beat goes on!

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:04am

    George has shrinkage again!

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • vnachi77
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:04am

    As reported in the Blaze last week, an appellate court threw out a case of libel, when a woman accoused her ex boyfriend of being gay. The court said their is no stigma attached to the word gay any longer. Gay groups across the country hailed the ruling, saying that it was about time the word was accepted as oppossed to being a slur. Seem’s like they want it both ways. In summation, cricket is GAY.

    Report Post » vnachi77  
  • VinnieSquawker
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:01am

    I find the fact that he felt he needed to apologize to be a little gay… It’s called comedy. Don’t let them remove anything from public discussion. Give in on one and they’ll be back for more.

    Report Post » VinnieSquawker  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 9:58am

    Whether they accept it or not, everyone knows homosexuality is unnatural.

    Report Post » BeingThere  
    • iampraying4u
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:16am

      Even animals dont do it

      Report Post »  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on June 4, 2012 at 10:25am

      Unless it’s a human. With the influx of nancy boys running around, I can’t say I blame animals for humping them…

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • Kozys
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:26am

      Some animals do exhibit homosexual behaviors. However, these behaviors do not lead to the altimate goal of any animal in a truely scientifice way of thinking, that is to survive long enough to reproduce. That is the one glaring problem with homosexual behaviors that liberals show their ignorance and or hypocricy. From a biological, and from our understanding of nature, homosexual behaviors do not go with the survival of the fitest model that I am sure most supporters agree with. Most “liberals” agree with evolution. Well, homosexual behavior is a huge problem for the evolution of a species.

      Report Post »  
  • hi
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 9:57am

    Liberals are offended by words in general. There is nothing one can say without offending a lib even something like “Indians are smart.”

    Report Post » hi  
  • goahead.makemyday
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 9:56am

    I’m sorry but the whole “homophobe” thing is used way too often. When can we start calling people heterophobes?

    Report Post » goahead.makemyday  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on June 4, 2012 at 9:54am

    These people want to be ‘more equal’ than the rest of us.

    Report Post » Stoic one  
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