A short segment on The Jay Leno Show during an interview with Chris Rock has got animal activists, dog lovers and pitbull lovers up in arms and rightfully so. I know comedians think they can joke and make fun of anything and everything but some things just are not funny and should not be joked or laughed about. Michael Vick’s crimes for one and as if pitbulls aren’t maligned enough, Chris Rock and Jay Leno had a good laugh. Well, I’m not laughing and I can tell you that there’s a whole lot of people out there who aren’t laughing either. We’re pissed and think torturing and killing innocent animals is just no joking matter!
Here’s what was said on the show;
Jay Leno: “It’s amazing to me that you mistreat a dog and you lose your career and go to jail for two years.”
Chris Rock: “What the hell did Michael Vick do, man? A dog, a pit bull ain’t even a real dog. A pit bull, that’s the white stuff. Dogs are white mans best friend – dogs have never been good to black people.”
Wow, that’s funny, isn’t it? NOT!!
You can see a short clip below of the actual show;
It was posted on YouTube but removed for copyright infringement but I did manage to find a copy and cut it to just the pitbull/Vick comments.
Now, if you think it was funny, as much of the audience obviously did, just did back and chuckle and do nothing. But if you’re pissed and think it was over the line, not something to joke about, then you can do something about it!
TAKE ACTION!
Write to NBC and/or the Jay Leno Show and express your outrage that these kinds of comments and minimizing of abuse will not be tolerated – http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us/
(Select “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” since they haven’t updated their show list yet.)
I guess I can say black men are a pit bulls worst enemy then can't I.
I left my comments but I truly doubt anyone will read it. There wasn't any acknowledgment after hitting the send button so I'm sure the message got sent to cyberspace purgatory.
I've always despised Jay Leno and leave the room if he's on the boob tube. This clip just proves why he's a despicable little person. Best thing you can do is boycott his new show. Then maybe he's disappear into the gray foggy dawn where he belongs.
You can say black men are all thugs and criminals. Not true but neither is Chris's comments on Pit Bull. Tit for Tat.
No black men are not all thugs and criminals. In all races, colors, and creeds there is a percentage of the populace that are dispicable creatures.What a waste : (
Damn these celebrities! I wrote to NBC last night, and told them of the disgust in airing this, and for Leno not to stick up for animals…….grrrrrr
I would like to know how to get a hold of this Chris Rock. It's people with this mentality that make me want to puke. I'm not mad at the show for airing it cause that's how we find out who's made of what. I am disappointed in Jay Leno for not standing up for the dogs. But this Chris Rock. . . if only i could get my hands on him.
This just isn't acceptable! I wrote to NBC this morning and will do whatever else it takes to get people to realize this is NOT a joke. His show is doing lousy anyway.
I, too, wrote NBC.
Jay Leno and Chris Rock: YOU two have joined my BOYCOTT list–along with all the other sadists and their products/services.
I wish you both PAIN and BLOOD galore.
Talk about IGNORANCE and a lack of empathy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adios, Sadists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wishing someone pain and blood galore makes you no better than the person torturing animals or humans. He is an awful person for making those comments, but vengeance only makes this world even more miserable. I hope he realizes the true error in his ways someday, but somehow I doubt that will happen. I will no longer help further the career of Chris Rock or Leno by watching or purchasing any of their productions, and I will forward this information to everyone I know.
Proud Pittie Owner
I left a comment, but doubt it will lead anywhere. It’s difficult enough combating the sterotypes without idiots promoting them on national TV.
Sent comment to NBC- they will probably be by to confiscate my TV. What a pair of losers!
Maybe if Leno actually attended a fight and watched animals being ripped apart for fun and profit
he would not find it so amusing.
I'll not hold my breath waiting for an apology from either Leno and/or the network (to the viewers) but I'll not be watching to find out.
I just posted this on NBC. I left my name and e-mail, now let's see if I get a response.
I am just sick over the show in which Chris Rock was on. Pit Bulls are one of the most loving dogs you could ever want. The people that terrorize these poor animals are the ones that are evil. I can't even believe that you allowed this to air. I think Chris Rock should have to apologize for what he has said and recant his statement that Pit Bulls aren't even dogs. Ask anyone that owns one and they will tell you that they are one of the most loving dogs ever. What is next on your agenda? Michael Vick and how wonderful he is? I will not be watching much of NBC any longer over this outrage. All you let happen with this segment was to make people think Pit Bulls are bad.
Jay Leno's new show is lame anyway, hopefully it will be canceled! Never thought he was funny to begin with.
This is a complete outrage……believe me, I'm telling the entire world about this on my show! I used to enjoy Chris Rock, not as a comedian but as an actor. Well, this changed everything about how I feel about his work. You can bet that I WILL be finding his contact information and letting him know how he let down millions of people world wide with such a horrible comment. I can't wait for my show to hit TV! You can bet that Chris Rock and Jay Leno will be spoken of in the lowest of terms. I'll feature a dung beatle before I'll have either of them on my show!
I like Jimmy Kimmel's take on it better , I am sure it was meant to be a joke, but not to us .
I wrote my complaint yesterday as well. I addressed each one's comments individually, and then the subject as a whole. Chris Rock is a jerk. Jay on the other hand has a lot of "reach" with the American public after so many successful years on television. So, I pointed out that he set back to the dark ages the tiny progress that was being made in trying to make the public realize that cruelty to animals is a CRIME and should be taken seriously.
I have a feeling NBC has gotten hundreds of complaints, because this was flying around like wildfire in the various Yahoo animal welfare groups I belong to. But, I don't expect a single thing to be done, or even the courtesy of an acknowledgement from NBC. The last time I sent a complaint to them about something, it got kicked back.
This new show is Jay's new "baby". After the daily advertisements about it all summer long, and knowing what a workaholic and perfectionist he is, we can only hope this drops his ratings so he feels the pinch. In his new time slot, he's already competing with the likes of the CSI's and other really good television dramas. The ONLY way NBC will take notice is if the ratings fall. While my husband adores his show, even he agreed he won't be watching it again.
Celebrities, whether comedians or not, need to realize how much influence they have and THINK before they mouth off like this.
I say don't assume they won't do anything until we see for sure. They may if enough comments are received.
I think our complaints can make a difference if for no other reason than that the show already is doing so badly. It started with 18 million viewers and has dropped to fewer than 5 million. NBC had said as long as the show got a 1.5 share, they would leave the show alone. As of Oct. 6, it was down to 1.4. This is causing local affiliates concern since it also impacts viewership for their 11 p.m. newscasts.
In addition to writing NBC, I am contacting my local NBC station to let them know why I won't be watching their network.
It has always been funny to me that black people are scared to death of dogs, but in the area of town where I must do home health, they all own Pit Bulls. Why is that?
Good observation
I believe you are right, Cares for Pets!
Is that why about 99% of dogfighters are black ?
Fight speciesism with racism? And people wonder why animal advocates are nuts….
Opposition to Michael Vick has very little to do with racism, Marie, but too many of those who back Vick unfortunately are playing the race card. They are the same kind of people who supported O.J. Simpson simply because he was black, not because they thought he wasn't guilty.
People like Simpson and Vick don't deserve the support of a community for which they have done virtually nothing with all their fame and money but who they run to for cover after they throw it all away.
Vick's situation has absolutely nothing to do with race, it has everything to do with right and wrong.
As for your remark, "people wonder why animal advocates are nuts," it's been proven that those who abuse animals have psychological problems and often go on to commit violent acts against people, too. It's those who don't care about protecting those who can't protect themselves that should question their priorities, their humanity and sanity.
Casey , you are 100% right . I agree it was made a race issue and I do have my opinion when it comes to Dog Fighters .If Vick was white I would hate his guts just the same .I hate all animal abusers equal , what can I say ?
I believe any one who supports Vick is an idiot , even if the skin colour was green .This is in response to Chris Rock's comments .So who brought up race?
Never been a Jay Leno fan.Obviously he is a slimebag to go along with Chris Rocks lame ass comments."What did vick do"???I swear I choked on my own saliva and felt my blood boil.I have No respect for either of these suck-ups.
What a crock : (
I also wrote to NBC to express my anger over the comments made by these idiots! My opinion of a certain race of people is that because they were slaves once, they feeel that they can choose how a animal lives and dies by their hands because it is "only a animal". The meaner the dog is the more importance the owner has in the area he lives in. I realize that there are many white people that are as horrible to animals as black so where the answer lies is a ???? I have been fighting within my self for a long time.
Kudos to you DJ Ice!!!! Hope your show hits the air waves. Let us know and I for one will watch and see what you have to say to the public viewing audience on this one. This made my stomach churn and my blood boil. Damn both of them and NBC as well. Sick bastards! Sorry. I am very upset over this. We have made such huge leaps and bounds in protecting the Pitty and showing the world what a terrific, big hearted dog this is. How could these sick SOB's, make them sound so useless. Hope you fall off your chair J Leno and fall on your ass in front of the world. Hopefully, you do SEVERE damage and won't be able to be on the air for a very long time. Criss Rock….hope you just fall off the face of the earth. Could care a less how….just do it!! I despise both of you and yes, I too will be voicing my complaints to NBC…the stupid, ignorant, uneducated, slime balls!!! Put all of them on that island. Oh! the name of the island……….."The Human research Island" for the betterment of all animals. No animals allowed and extensive research to humans with products being developed for future use on all living creatures. Pain for those sent to the island, is a pre-requisite. This pain is to continue throughout their time on the island and until their death, at which time, they will be fed to the sharks encircling the island. Sharks are tough….they can eat just about anything with no detramental results!
Jess, I love it – The Human research Island” – Now, if we can persuade our judicial system to hear our side of why we should send these sub humans there!!!!
Sent to NBC re Jay Leno's show:
Please honor your audience by watching the following footage, and then consider the remarks of Mr. Leno and Mr. Rock in this context.
HSUS Life on the Chain, Death in the Ring:
http://video.hsus.org/?fr_story=e4225094dc9c169a9…
CNN Big Business:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/18/dog.fighting/#cn…
DF in Chicago documentary:
http://www.izzyworksfilms.com/trailer.htm
There are many other edgy satirical topics for Mr. Leno to use as material; this one is over the line, and attempts to find humor in any aspect of this cruel bloodsport is an endorsement of it. Should you wish to learn more about the horrors of this violent felony, please contact Mr. John Goodwin, the animal fighting expert at Humane Society of the United States: jgoodwin@hsus.org
.
Speaking of karma, Chris Rock, whose new film "Good Hair" comes out tomorrow, is being sued for "no less than $5 million" for plagiarism in a lawsuit filed by a documentary filmmaker who claims he stole the concept from her – <a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/10/06/chris-rock-sued-over-good-hair/?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl5|link5|http%3A%2F%2 Fwww.bvnewswire.com%2F2009%2F10%2F06%2Fchris-rock-sued-over-good-hair%2F” target=”_blank”>|<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/10/06/chris-rock-sued-over-good-hair/?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl5|link5|http%3A%2F%2 Fwww.bvnewswire.com%2F2009%2F10%2F06%2Fchris-rock-sued-over-good-hair%2F” target=”_blank”>|<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/10/06/chris-rock-sued-over-good-hair/?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl5|link5|http%3A%2F%2 Fwww.bvnewswire.com%2F2009%2F10%2F06%2Fchris-rock-sued-over-good-hair%2F” target=”_blank”>|<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/10/06/chris-rock-sued-over-good-hair/?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl5|link5|http%3A%2F%2 Fwww.bvnewswire.com%2F2009%2F10%2F06%2Fchris-rock-sued-over-good-hair%2F” target=”_blank”>|<a href="http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/10/06/chris-rock-sued-over-good-hair/?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl5|link5|http%3A%2F%2 Fwww.bvnewswire.com%2F2009%2F10%2F06%2Fchris-rock-sued-over-good-hair%2F” target=”_blank”>HERE
For months, I have argued on various web sites that African-Americans who accuse Vick's opponents of racism are all wrong. Those of us they call "haters" would be every bit as outraged if a Caucasian had committed the same crimes.
When I read this blog and look at the photos, I notice that unfortunately animal cruelty knows no color line, the abusers come from all races.
Unfortunately, powerful breeds of dogs have sometimes been misused by evil people against those they seek to oppress, in the 1960s in the American south where they were turned on civil rights demonstrators or in Nazi-occupied Europe where they patrolled concentration camps. People who suffered through those situations may indeed have a fear of dogs and need to be reminded, as we so often say about BSL, that one should blame the deed, not the breed.
But there also are lots of African-Americans I know who love their dogs and find Vick's actions reprehensible and I believe none of us should play the race card on this subject.
Casey, I agree with you 100% about the race buisness. But you know it has gotten to the point of being totally rediculas. Someone will always bring race into it , when race has absolutely nothing to do with it and all to do with the crime. For the most part I perty well put into my comments: "This has nothing to do with race."
Anyway, I do agree with you and you have a good, safe day : )
IT WAS A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pete there are some things that are not funny, no matter how it is phrased.Joking about something as horendous as animal abuse, only feeds the publics exceptance and insensitivity to the pain and suffering. No Pete~ It was no Joke.
A joke? Jay Leno's remark that it's amazing that if one "mistreats" (what a bizarre word choice to describe Vick's actions) a dog, he loses his career and goes to jail for two years is dead serious
Pete, as others have said, and I will reiterate, THERE IS NO JOKE(S) WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMAL ABUSE/MURDER.
Pete, I don't understand, do you enjoy getting beat up by us animal lovers all the time with your ignorant comments? Are you a pro Vick person? I think it is obvious you are; to give him a second chance, let him make a living, etc. etc. Bullsh**! In my eyes, and probably many others, he is not a man, because a man would not bestow harm or injury to another living being.
I've never watched the Jay Leno show, so I missed this. But I don't think Jay Leno or NBC should be blamed for Chris Rock's inhumane remarks. Jay did NOT keep that conversation going – but he was wrong about Vick losing his career – Vick is right back in football.
Vick didn't 'make a mistake' any more than any other murderer simply 'makes a mistake.' Vick deliberately and with malice aforethought killed helpless, innocent animals, whether the instrument he used was another innocent animal or the concrete wall he bashed their heads against.
I've never seen any movie or show or episode of a show that had Chris Rock in it. I gather from what he said that I haven't missed anything of importance or interest.
No, Jay Leno and NBC should not be held accountable for this, because unless the program is scripted (and I doubt it is), neither Jay nor NBC knew in advance what Rock was going to say. What Jay Leno SHOULD be held accountable for is that he didn't refute Chris Rock's statement, leading the audience to believe Leno agreed with Rock.
You can bet these shows are scripted, Leno has a list of questions that are all prepared ahead of time…that's why I don't enjoy the shows in the first place.
The issue is using animals in blood sport for entertainment, pleasure and money. From what I understand there are a lot of people in the underground who engage in this "sport" and the public needs to build an awareness and take measures to stop it…if we have a grain of civility.
My respect for Jay Leno has died a horrible, horrible death
I usually let a joke alone. I figure, if we aren't mature enough to get the point, we shouldn't be allowed out of our cribs. HOWEVER, there are some things that you don't joke about. Like child abuse, female circumcision, and dog fighting.
I left a comment, I don't know that it will be read or any action taken. However, if enough people email negative comments, it might make a difference in what Jay Leno allows to be discussed on his show. Hell, they may even issue an apology. In my comment, I stated that it was ignorant to say dogs have never been good to black people – it was white men that used dogs to attack african americans [and american indians and chinese and anybody else who was on the street.] Dogs don't give a d*nm about your skin color. I also suggested they put human dog fighters in a ring, let them fight to the death, then crack jokes about the outcome. Now, that's entertainment!
I also emailed The Jay Leno show and i didn't even receive the thank you email. I guess nobody will read it. I ranked all the Chris Rock dvds in Netflix with one star to bring his ranking down. Asshole!
I was delighted to read yesterday that NBC has lost a third of its 10 p.m. audience thanks to Leno's show and that the local affiliates are growing very restless, couldn't happen to a nicer guy
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/10/19/jay-leno-s…
Now aint that just too too b~a~d : )
Well, looks like Chris Rock's comment has come back to bite him. Found this article today:
The Head of State star was among the frontrunners to land the main role in a new Pryor biopic, but he allegedly lost the part after jokingly defending shamed American football star Michael Vick, who recently served time for running an illegal dog-fighting ring.
During a recent appearance on U.S. TV's The Jay Leno Show, Rock said, "What the hell did Michael Vick do? Pitbulls ain't (sic) even real dogs! Dogs have never been good to black people!"
The quip offended Pryor's wife Jennifer, who serves as the director of animal rescue group Pryor's Planet, and she made sure Rock's throwaway comments cost him the movie job.
In an open letter to the star, Jennifer fumes, "For your information, Chris, what Michael Vick did was to torture, drown, electrocute and murder dogs all for fun and for profit! He went to prison for felony animal cruelty! That's what he did!
"These types of comments only encourage abuse and misunderstanding of this breed, as well as actual dog-fighting. Clearly this part of your latest stand-up routine would not make Richard laugh!"
Fellow funnyman Marlon Wayans is reported to have landed the coveted role in Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?, which is expected to hit cinemas in 2011.
Wow, guess there really is Karma!! I love it Andrea!
D.
Andrea, that is the best news I have recently heard!!! Yes, Karma has bit him where it hits the hardest – his $$$$.
Kudos to Jennifer Pryor! She is ONE OF US!!!!
You can read her entire response to Chris Rock here:
http://www.flickdirect.com/news/movie-news-detail…
She let him have it with both barrels! Way to go Mrs. Pryor!
Yep, karma can be a real bugger, and Chris Rock is getting whalloped from his. It appears that comment wasn't just an off the cuff joke, but a part of his new stand up routine. Wonder how long before it's NOT part of his routine?
Chris Rock's publicit apologized to Mrs. Pryor, sort of, and she sent him a scathing reply
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/dubo…
I have been reading lots of posts from people on other websites stating that Chris Rock was just joking.. that he was just comparing the punishment for crimes committed on humans to the punishment for crimes committed on animals. Well, I just read this other nice article where Chris voiced his opinion about dogfighting in an sports radio interview, and it is quite clear he thinks there is nothing wrong with dog fights. Here we have more proof that Chris Rock is an insensitive idiot. Makes me sick:
Rock said that maybe Vick grew up in a sitauation where dogfighting wasn't so bad.
"Dogfighting's very prevalent in the South," Rock said. Rock also pointed out that we hunt, and many people consider that wrong.
"Why is a dog so much better than a deer?" Rock asked. "I see no difference between a dog and a deer."
Rock said look at marijuana … it's illegal now, but who knows. "In our lifetime, pot will be legal," Rock said.
"I don't think marijuana is any different than selling beer," Rock said. "We know there's more deaths related to alcohol than marijuana."
Rock said the NFL doesn't care about animal rights. That's not what this is about. "The ball is made of pigskin," Rock said. "They don't care about animals."
Rock says this is all about convinience. "We want to cite the law when it works to our advantage," Rock said.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/blog/…
Rock doesn't have a clue, does he?
Mrs. Pryor You are a great lady, I salute you : )
You do not have the right – none of us do – to NOT be offended by something, somewhere during the course of your life. It is the work of knee-jerk, radical liberals who are insisting that any behavior must be 'tolerated' – even if it's against the law. Vick and Leno may be heartless morons, but they do have the right to say whatever they want to say, even on TV. And the guys who own the network shouldn't have the right to punish either of them for doing something they are legally entitled to do.
I don't know why you find it necessary to drag politics into this discussion, Kaelinda. I come here to get away from people who twist every conversation into a diatribe against liberals or conservatives.
Leno and Rock have the same freedom of speech to which everyone else is entitled, no more or no less, but nobody has the right to be on television.
Viewers who object to turning the torture and killing of dogs into material for a stand-up comic have not just the right but also the responsibility to object to their comments and to let the network know that broaccasting this tripe is costing them viewers.
Nancy, thank you for your comment. I was trying to think of something intelligent to say, and hold back my mouth, but you said it for me. Thanks.
Yes Nancy….thank you so much for that. Nothing need more be said!
I am shocked and saddened by the horrible things said by Chris Rock and Jay Leno. I would like for someone to find out the sponsors of his show and I would like to boycott those companies. Could someone please post up the names of the companies. Thank you. It was just surprising that two supposedly smart men would be so stupid on national t.v. I hope his show gets cancelled. I hope everyone else boycotts anything Chris Rock does and tell all your friends and family.
In my opinion, humour that is based on malevolence does a great disservice to society. People who think violence towards innocents is funny are out of touch with reality. It is the tactic of the unstable, such as the school bully. A person who laughs at pain and suffering is not likely to care about the equal rights of the voiceless, or of improving the lot of less fortunate beings. A care-less attitude promotes ignorance and denial in the public about the causes and effects of cruelty. Cruelty (in all its forms, including bullying and not caring) makes a hard life harder, and may trigger depression, even suicide.
I lost all respect for both Rock and Leno when I found out about their disgusting remarks. Leno lost me as a viewer forever.
But, how cool did Richard Pryor's wife turn out to be? I am now a huge fan of hers
.
I have only this to say……
The world made the both of you for what you have today……and the world will break you for what you will not have tomorrow……Do Not piss off the animal activists…especially the people that are fighting so hard to change the image of “Pitbulls”….It is not funny for comedians to joke about a breed that has become so hated in this world because of people like Michael Vick…Please stop this it does no good to bad mouth this breed…..
Well that’s it – you’ve lost my vote – you heartless two faced jerks – and May God – who you probably don’t believe in – otherwise you would not be so evil – have mercy on you — you’re going to need it
I always thought of Jay Leno as “less than” to begin with and now he is less than 0! Along with Chris Rock. NOT FUNNY! A man electrocutes, drowns and strings up “his” dogs by the neck, not to mention fighting them & that’s ok? These two men are despicable!