Epilepsy sufferers, as we all know, are great at involuntarily shaking around when they’re in the midst of an epileptic fit. But the rest of the time, they could sure stand to loosen up!
At least that’s what Al Roker has learned, after his “haha, you’ve got epilepsy!” jokes last week inspired a wholly unexpected backlash.
“Remember that controversial Olympic logo for the 2012 Olympics in London? Some folks have complained that the campaign actually sent them into epileptic seizures,” Roker said on Thursday’s show.
“Well, we asked you to weigh in on our Web site in an informal poll; those of you who could get up off the floor after shaking around were able to actually log in . . . ”
The next day, Roker apologized on the air, saying, “We were joking about the logo – not about epilepsy. If anybody was offended, I heartily and really humbly apologize.”
Roker then clarified that he was laughing with epilepsy, and not at epilepsy, adding, “And, if you don’t like it, why don’t you suddenly—and without warning—lose consciousness, fall to the floor, froth at the mouth, and rhythmically jerk your extremities about it?”
No. 1
MediaPerson says:
“If anybody was offended, I heartily and really humbly apologize.??? Sounds a bit like Don Imus, doesn’t he?
Posted: Jun 11, 2007 at 3:22 pm
No. 2
AlanaMS83 says:
This is a letter I wrote to the today show @ msnbc, bare in mind I am only trying to prove a point, I think either Roker gets fired, or Imus gets his job back. Otherwise, I think Imus should sue, it is only fair.
I find it rather hypocrytical that these comments were made by Al Roker about epilepsy.. considering he said about Don Imus, “what he said was vile and disgusting”
Also, the “Im a good person who said a bad thing Apology” well Al Rokers apology, DOES NOT cut it. Sound familiar? It seems to me that he has done the exact same thing he has said Imus was wrong for. I believe his words were, “he needs to be fired”
So basically, Imus made a negative comment about a certain type of people, same as Al Roker. Imus was fired. So I am assuming Al Roker will be as well, correct?
P.S. My uncle has Epilepsy, He did not find it funny either. He felt it was both vile AND disgusting.
A concerned listener
Alana S.
Posted: Jun 12, 2007 at 1:12 am
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