Chris Rock Backtracks After Defending Tracy Morgan

By Christine Fenno Posted Jun 12th 2011 11:01AM

Chris Rock is speaking out to clarify a comment that seemed to defend Tracy Morgan and the recent homophobic, not to mention sexist, jokes the '30 Rock' star made in a comedy club. Witnesses reported being shocked by the TV star's rant (Morgan soon apologized).

On Saturday, Rock first weighed in with the tweet, "I don't know about you, but I don't want to live in world where Tracy Morgan can't say foul inappropriate s--t."

Cut to Sunday morning. Rock, starring on Broadway in 'The Motherf--ker With the Hat,' is just hours away from appearing at the Tony Awards as a presenter. The veteran comic and theatre newbie decided he'd better give Twitter followers a longer explanation of his viewpoint.

"Tracy morgan is a tad off we all know that," wrote Rock on Sunday. "So when tracy says something i usually don't take it anymore serious than i would a statement from gary busey or flavor flav . when i first heard the statement i thought it was offensive, but it also reminded me of my father saying i'll kill you if you ever bring home a white girl."

"But after reading everything tracy said," he added, "Wow i get it, that s--t wasn't called for and i don't support it at all."

In closing, Rock wisecracked, "Now can i please go to the tony awards without getting my ass kicked."

Whether backpedaling puts him back in the good graces of the Broadway community remains to be seen. Rock addressed the controversy more directly than Morgan's own co-star Alec Baldwin (who once had a whole lot to say about Charlie Sheen). Baldwin, also presenting at this weekend's Tony Awards, reacted to Morgan's rant with the curt tweet: "Oh that Tracy," and another, "No one's making excuses for Tracy."

Tags: 30 rock, chris rock, tracy morgan

Comments

(44)

Sunday 12 June

By bluuizzz

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Chris Rock is a piece of work him self...he needs to get over his racist mouth and all about being black...can't stand to hear his choice let alone anything he has to say about anyone else!

By New York

Chris Rock & Tracy Morgan both have nothing important to say. Both losers.

By dinak

Chris Rock has said just as offensive things about conservatives and hard-working, financially well off Caucasions.

By Jan

Who are these people and why do we care what they say, they are nothing but media *hores!

By eyez200

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

So Ms. Fenne, what did you want Alec B to do? OH yea he should have bashed him more than that! I have a daughter who is gay. Love her to death , however don't condone her life style at all.
We have a very normal relationship we just don't mention her lesbian life. Being gay is a choice that is considered not normal so get over it! It was a joke! What is up with this all of a sudden don't say anything bad about gay people its a crime. Please!!!! maybe you are just mad Alec is not a gay fan either.

By bxirish

Eyez how can you say your daughter's lesbianism is a choice? Did your daughter CHOOSE to be the victim of homophobic rants, to be bullied for who she is, and have no legal recourse, to marry who she wants to marry? Marriage is a legal institution, not a religious one. Be grateful for who she is, and that she loves you.

By Bret

IDIOT

By lita

You are right. Being gay is a choice--you know, like being heterosexual was your choice. That means, of course, that there came a day when you considered the gay "lifestyle." Oh. You didn't make that choice? Then why would you think it is the choice of someone to be gay? Who chooses to live a life that sparks the self-righteous to beat them, kill them, deprive them of jobs or housing, and legislate penalizing them for, well, just existing? I feel sorry for your daughter. While I'm pretty sure that she isn't anxious to discuss all aspects of her sexual being in detail (how many "normal" straight people are anxious to "chat" about the details of their sex lives with their parents?), it would be nice to know that her mother loves her enough to hold her hand should love wane or when she loses someone she loves.

By rudewaitress

Thank you Lita for trying to open up a few closed minds around here. With SO many differences in what makes up a society, we learn to hate from those who influence our thinking the most. It is a wise and strong person who can reject that teaching and think logically and rationally for him/herself.

By rpdanko

Sexuality is not a choice. It is biologically pre-determined. What you describe as a "normal" relationship with your daughter is a sad relationship. You discuss everything except her being a lesbian: this means she cannot share with you anything about her relationship(s), her plans, her feelings. You are not there for her when she is overjoyed or when she is heart-broken. Sad, for both of you.

By dewdrop

You sound like a great mother. My mother and I have the same kind of relationship. We are very close but never discuss my heterosexuality. She's never met my husband and will never meet her future grandchildren because that would be bringing up my being a heterosexual. She also likes to call things about me abnormal. I feel so loved.

Monday 13 June

By eb

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Whether people believe being gay is or is not a choice, it's still a preference - like as a heterosexual male, I prefer women.

That being said, when does having a preference define a minority? I also prefer brunettes over blonds and shorter women over taller ones. Does that mean we should open up the idea of making a new minority? How about women who prefer cats over dogs?

Being a man, a woman or being white or being black is truly not a choice or preference. This is know from the day of birth and can be detected genetically. I don't see scientist or doctors proclaiming any genetic traits or DNA anaylsis about who is born gay. Just a thought.

By MIke

He said if he was in your situation he'd stab your daughter. You must be a wonderful parent.

By haliehanky2

Tracy Morgan can kiss his career good bye and Chris Rock is could be right behind him. Nice back track Chris but if my vote counts I have to say "sorry dude, you don't get it and for that...bye bye."

By MarieL

Sorry to disagree; but apparently you don't know the rules yet..
There careers aren't over, but Alec Baldwins probably would have been had he spoken out against Tracy Morgan.... Get in touch with the rules of "real life" people.....

By fiona

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Get real Marie. As if Baldwin ever cared what he said about whom. He MF'd his own daughter and dealt with the public scrutiny, why should he care about a chump like C-lister Tracy Morgan? Just because they are on the same show would not bother him...he's leaving it soon anyway. If he had any intention of running for Mayor of NYC it would have been in his best interest to slam Morgan for such hateful speech.

By BJ

Blood thicker than water?

By DD

If you wan to meet a very BIG racist, I introduce you CHRIS ROCK.
98% of his jocks are against white people, and the GOP. He is nothing else more than a big F...@@@@ piece of Sh....@@.
I like black people,because they are a human beings too, but whoever want to discriminate us, I will hate. The Lord created us all equal, why these racist have to do that? I think it is pure ignorance, and degeneration. Against gays, and lesbians, I really don't want to talk about.

By teresa

A black person will defend another black person reguardless of what they do or say.That is the truth as far as i am concerned.

Thursday 16 June

By Jo

White people will defend white people. I wish people will stop making everything about race.

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