Today' Show Apologizes for 'Offensive' On-Air Mocking of Fake Sign Language Interpreter

There's the saying that two wrongs don't make a right. NBC's "Today," in trying to make a joke about the so-called "fake" sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial service, fell into that trap and is now apologizing for it.

Show hosts Natalie Morales, Willie Geist and Al Roker first discussed the fake interpreter and aired a clip of the accused and still unidentified man on stage at the ceremony in South Africa. When the clip ended and footage cut back to the NBC studio, the hosts looked at their monitors in confusion.

NBC's "Today" apologized Wednesday morning after a joke that mocked the man being accused of fake sign language interpretation at Nelson Mandela's memorial service. (Image source: NBC)

In an inset bubble was a person mocking the man whom groups have accused of not performing real sign language.

Immediately upon seeing the joke, the anchors voiced their discontent about it, and it was quickly removed.

"Wrong. Let's not do that," Al Roker said.

The hosts were not amused by the joke. (Image source: NBC)

The inset was quickly removed after the anchors rebuked their producers. (Image source: NBC)

Roker buried his head in his hands. (Image source: NBC)

Watch the footage:

Some took to Twitter to express their offense:

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/theericschuman/status/410772174535151616"]

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/angela_fayard/status/410772395188690944"]

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/rydaka/status/410774172756086784"]

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/CFDeafMinistry/status/410780878550228993"]

NBC later issued an apology.

"We aired a joke in our 9:00 hour that was offensive. We apologize to our viewers," the show stated on Twitter.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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