Here’s the deal. Generally speaking, I think you’re a pretty funny guy. I wasn’t all that impressed with you on Saturday Night Live, but you are actually effing hilarious on 30 Rock. Yes, much of that is due to Tina Fey’s excellent writing, but even good writing can be delivered poorly so I have to give you credit. You’re a funny guy, Tracy Morgan. But you know what’s not funny? Acting like an asshole. That’s not funny. Also not funny? Homophobia. Now, you seem to be confused here, because you think being a homophobic asshole is, in fact, funny. I am here to tell you, no. You are incorrect. No one thinks a homophobic asshole is funny, Tracy Morgan, so stop acting like one.
Last summer, you got into some trouble for your stand-up routine because of this. I’m sure you remember. You said you’d stab your son if he were gay? Ringing any bells? Well, naturally, this didn’t go over well with much of the crowd and members of the audience took to the Internet to blast your hate speech. Because see, that’s hate speech. If, for instance, I were to make a montage of Anderson Cooper’s “gayest” moments, it’s pretty funny. If I say I think Anderson Cooper is gay and I want to stab him to death because of it? Not funny. See the difference? Right.
Now I know you’re Mr. “If you can take a dick, you can take a joke” and all (Yes, you really said that! I know! I don’t know how you can be so ignorant either!) but come on, dude. Last night, months after it’s finally off everyone’s mind, you appear on Letterman. Dave grills you and you’re very “I’m sorry if I offended anyone,” and all that crap. But then you go on and continue talking. Mistake! When Letterman asked you, “You apologized because you made a mistake, or because people were upset?” the correct response would have just been to say you made a mistake. Because you did. Even if you don’t like gay people, which you clearly don’t, you made a mistake. I think this is pretty obvious, no? But you replied: “I apologized because people came to the show and paid money and they got upset about it.” Which isn’t quite, “I apologized because people got mad and I still want to stab gays,” but it still comes off poorly.
Also, you can’t say you come from the “old school” of comedy like Richard Pryor and George Carlin just minutes after saying you want to “use the gift God gave you” to “help the world,” okay? You sound like an idiot.
Look, Tracy Morgan. I am trying to like you. I am genuinely looking forward to the next season of 30 Rock. But you are not actually Tracy Jordan, the lovable yet offensively moronic comedian. Liz Lemon can’t stand behind you and clean up your mess. You are Tracy Morgan, actual person. Your words actually come from your brain. So smarten up and stop acting like a homophobic asshole, okay?
And by the way, it’s National Coming Out Day today, so try not to stab anyone.
Best,
Shelly