Video: Regis & Kelly Apologize For Offensive Dominican Joke We Didn't Realize They Made
We just witnessed Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa giving a very awkward apology to the Dominican community on their show Live With Regis & Kelly for something they said last week—and we were all, who? Ha? Wha? We looked it up and discovered we actually saw the episode in question last Monday and didn’t even realize we should be offended. Here’s what happened: Kelly was explaining to Regis that her young daughter Lola mistakenly called the American political party that is represented by a donkey “the Dominicans” and Regis replied, “She’s pretty close!” Now, really, wouldn’t you assume he was referring to the similarity in the words rather than that he was comparing Dominicans to asses? Not if you’re an angry brown!
A group called PrincipePromo led by someone named Jesse Ramirez threatened on Thursday to picket outside the show’s studios Friday during broadcast. No word on whether they carried out their threats, (email us if you were there), but they raised enough stink to get their story on TMZ and eventually get an apology from the two clueless hosts this morning. We don’t have video of the apology, but we do have video of the gaffe (which, let’s face it, is far more fun.) Let us know how it rates on your offend-o-meter.
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When I first saw this, I really thought (still kinda think) he was actually thinking of Dominican as in the religion, not the nationality. I think after that he was just like oh ummm whatever. Either way, it’s offensive and indefensible.
Posted by frau sally benz | November 04, 2008
good lord! who cares??! and if Dominicans did get so upset and are making a big deal then Regis was right, they are asses. People are too freaking eager these days to jump all over a freaking slip up.
Posted by spanexican | November 04, 2008
There isn’t a Dominican “religion”. But there is a religious order called the Dominicans…..those mean nuns I had in grammar school LOL.
Posted by boricuachick | November 04, 2008
Leave it to the Dominicans! I’m one and they embarrass me so much when they pull stupid shit like this.
Posted by Yasuri Yamileth | November 04, 2008
That’s …so…huh?
Posted by Gwenny | November 05, 2008
So, are we mad at Regis’ comment, or the slip of the lip of a child? Just trying to get it right…
Posted by Gwenny | November 05, 2008
So sensitive, sheesh. Get over it! I thought it was cute!
Posted by Valerie | November 05, 2008
Good grief people…relax. Lola slipped up and blended the D for Democrat in with the word Republicans…that’s why Regis said she was close. NOT because he thought Dominicans were asses!!! sheeesh…some people work too hard at making trouble…try using that energy to do good instead.
Posted by mom2three | November 05, 2008
Dominican community leaders in the U.S. are following a strategy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the DR: to cause trouble as often as possible with human rights claims to counter international pressure upon the Dominican state to treat Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian origin according to international human rights commitments.
Posted by Jose Feliciano | December 10, 2008