Gilbert Gottfried Fired As "Aflac Duck" After Japanese Tsunami Tweets - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-14-2011, 06:45 PM

With some wildly inappropriate tweets, the quack has been silenced.

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried sent out a slate of offensive twitter missives about the tragic Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and instead of drawing laughs, it cost him his job. The longtime voice of the iconic Aflac Duck, Gottfried was fired by the insurance company on Monday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Gilbert's recent comments about the crisis in Japan were lacking in humor and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac," the company, which does 75% of its business in Japan, said in a statement. "There is no place for anything but compassion and concern during these difficult times."

Gottfried's tweets certainly didn't show compassion. Buzzfeed compiled screen captures of the tweets, which were later deleted from the comedian's feed. Amongst the worst:

"I just split up with my girlfriend, but like the Japanese say, "They'll be another one floating by any minute now."

"I was talking to my Japanese real estate agent. I said 'is there a school in this area.' She said 'not now, but just wait.'"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_835692.html

MrCleveland · 03-14-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

"I just split up with my girlfriend, but like the Japanese say, "They'll be another one floating by any minute now."

NOT FUNNY!

Gottfried is now going to be with Michael Richards in the unemployment line of celebrities!

Retro4Life · 03-14-2011, 07:00 PM

Say goodnight, Gilbert.

Family Ties Forever! · 03-14-2011, 07:22 PM

Wow, talk about insensitive of him.

80sTrivia · 03-14-2011, 07:27 PM

Rapper 50 Cent also made some equally insensitive twitter remarks about the earthquake/tsunami, but it'll probably increase sales for him... pair of idiots, both of them...

Marvo301 · 03-14-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Say goodnight, Gilbert.

That's a very appropriate picture considering he just flushed his career down the toilet!!

Rezny@gmail.com · 03-14-2011, 08:26 PM

His reaction to this was probably "JUST KIDDING!!!!""JUST KIDDING????"I don't think so.What he said isn't funny.Neither was the AFLAC duck he did. I'm glad in that one (the AFLAC ad)about the barbecue,the duck got his comeuppance.

TV Knowledge Fan · 03-14-2011, 10:23 PM

...this was coming, even if Gilbert hadn't sent that "Tweet" about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. ANYONE could scream "AFLAC-C-C-C-C!" in a choked voice, and earn the same salary he did. It will be interesting to see exatly how they'll "replace" him, if at all.

Gottfried can be funny at times, but like the "FAMILY GUY" writer who sent that item "humorously" comparing the events of the past few days to those losing their lives at Pearl Harbor in December 1941....there is a wriggly line between "humor" and "insensitivity".

Zoneboy · 03-14-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

And the sad truth is......this was coming, even if Gilbert hadn't sent that "Tweet" about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. ANYONE could scream "AFLAC-C-C-C-C!" in a choked voice, and earn the same salary he did.

Is this an opinion or do you have any proof to back up your claim that he was going to be let go regardless the tweet?

catlover79 · 03-15-2011, 03:03 AM

No comment!

browneyes106 · 03-15-2011, 05:38 AM

His remarks were insenstive but I doubt his career will go down the toilet. Controversial comedians will always manage to be successful. Bill Hicks said plenty of controversial comments during his career and he still maintained a good fanbase. Gilbert's career won't be ruined in the long run.

Janice · 03-15-2011, 02:49 PM

Lousy insensitive remarks, but I doubt his career is over.

OH Nuts! · 03-15-2011, 03:01 PM

He's an insensitive assh**e. I don't think he's going to be washed up, but I do hope his career takes a very nice battering. The jerk. I think he should be forced to go a Japanase locale ravaged by quake and do some clean up work. Then let's see what a big joke he thinks it is. My final words: "Quack Quack Quack SMACK! The voice of the duck is a shm**ck!"

JamesG · 03-15-2011, 06:00 PM

Gilbert Gottfried Apologizes for Offensive Tweets
Mar 15, 2011
by Kate Stanhope

One day after being fired as the voice of Aflac's mascot, Gilbert Gottfried issued an apology for making offensive jokes about the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan that has claimed hundreds of lives.

"I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my attempt at humor regarding the tragedy in Japan," Gottfried said in a statement obtained by People.

"I meant no disrespect, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families."

Aflac plans to start a nationwide casting call to replace Gottfried.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Gilbert-...s-1030747.aspx

Janice Johnson · 03-16-2011, 04:50 AM

I don't think that Gilbert Godfried should have been fired for making insensitive jokes about the Japan Tsunamis/earthquake. He obviously was trying to get laughs, not trying to be vindictive or evil. I think that the fact that no one laughed at his jokes was punishment enough. Isn't having no one laugh at your jokes one of the worst things that can happen to a Comedian? At the very least, he should have been forced by Aflac to apologize for the ill-thought out and ill-received jokes(which he did one day after) and be Suspended/take a pay cut(not be fired).

03-14-2011, 06:45 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Gilbert Gottfried Fired As "Aflac Duck" After Japanese Tsunami Tweets With some wildly inappropriate tweets, the quack has been silenced. Comedian Gilbert Gottfried sent out a slate of offensive twitter missives about the tragic Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and instead of drawing laughs, it cost him his job. The longtime voice of the iconic Aflac Duck, Gottfried was fired by the insurance company on Monday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Gilbert's recent comments about the crisis in Japan were lacking in humor and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac," the company, which does 75% of its business in Japan, said in a statement. "There is no place for anything but compassion and concern during these difficult times." Gottfried's tweets certainly didn't show compassion. Buzzfeed compiled screen captures of the tweets, which were later deleted from the comedian's feed. Amongst the worst: "I just split up with my girlfriend, but like the Japanese say, "They'll be another one floating by any minute now." "I was talking to my Japanese real estate agent. I said 'is there a school in this area.' She said 'not now, but just wait.'" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_835692.html
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-14-2011, 07:00 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Say goodnight, Gilbert.
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03-14-2011, 07:22 PM	#4
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	Wow, talk about insensitive of him.
	__________________ Jenny

03-14-2011, 07:27 PM	#5
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Rapper 50 Cent also made some equally insensitive twitter remarks about the earthquake/tsunami, but it'll probably increase sales for him... pair of idiots, both of them...
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03-14-2011, 10:23 PM	#8
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	And the sad truth is... ...this was coming, even if Gilbert hadn't sent that "Tweet" about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. ANYONE could scream "AFLAC-C-C-C-C!" in a choked voice, and earn the same salary he did. It will be interesting to see exatly how they'll "replace" him, if at all. Gottfried can be funny at times, but like the "FAMILY GUY" writer who sent that item "humorously" comparing the events of the past few days to those losing their lives at Pearl Harbor in December 1941....there is a wriggly line between "humor" and "insensitivity".

03-14-2011, 08:26 PM	#7
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	His reaction to this was probably "JUST KIDDING!!!!""JUST KIDDING????"I don't think so.What he said isn't funny.Neither was the AFLAC duck he did. I'm glad in that one (the AFLAC ad)about the barbecue,the duck got his comeuppance.

03-15-2011, 03:03 AM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	No comment!
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03-15-2011, 05:38 AM	#11
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	His remarks were insenstive but I doubt his career will go down the toilet. Controversial comedians will always manage to be successful. Bill Hicks said plenty of controversial comments during his career and he still maintained a good fanbase. Gilbert's career won't be ruined in the long run.

03-15-2011, 02:49 PM	#12
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Lousy insensitive remarks, but I doubt his career is over.

03-15-2011, 03:01 PM	#13
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	He's an insensitive asshe. I don't think he's going to be washed up, but I do hope his career takes a very nice battering. The jerk. I think he should be forced to go a Japanase locale ravaged by quake and do some clean up work. Then let's see what a big joke he thinks it is. My final words: "Quack Quack Quack SMACK! The voice of the duck is a shmck!"
	Last edited by OH Nuts!; 03-16-2011 at 07:26 PM.

03-15-2011, 06:00 PM	#14
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,168	Gilbert Gottfried Apologizes for Offensive Tweets Mar 15, 2011 by Kate Stanhope One day after being fired as the voice of Aflac's mascot, Gilbert Gottfried issued an apology for making offensive jokes about the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan that has claimed hundreds of lives. "I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my attempt at humor regarding the tragedy in Japan," Gottfried said in a statement obtained by People. "I meant no disrespect, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families." Aflac plans to start a nationwide casting call to replace Gottfried. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Gilbert-...s-1030747.aspx

03-16-2011, 04:50 AM	#15
Janice Johnson Commercial Lover Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 30, 2003 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 4,740	I don't think that Gilbert Godfried should have been fired for making insensitive jokes about the Japan Tsunamis/earthquake. He obviously was trying to get laughs, not trying to be vindictive or evil. I think that the fact that no one laughed at his jokes was punishment enough. Isn't having no one laugh at your jokes one of the worst things that can happen to a Comedian? At the very least, he should have been forced by Aflac to apologize for the ill-thought out and ill-received jokes(which he did one day after) and be Suspended/take a pay cut(not be fired).