Why Jay Leno's Apology About Past Jokes Is Raising Eyebrows

Comedian Jay Leno is apologizing for past jokes he made about Asians after a 15-year effort from Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) (via Variety). The group's leader, Guy Aoki, has shared that he issued an ultimatum to Leno's new employers at Fox — his show You Bet Your Life is planned for a fall debut on the network according to Deadline — saying that if Leno didn't say he was sorry for the offensive material, they would demand he be fired, or ask sponsors to boycott the show.

It seems Leno was finally willing to work with MANAA, and in a press release, shared a lengthy apology. "At the time I did those jokes, I genuinely thought them to be harmless," he claimed about things he said while hosting The Tonight Show (via ET). He added, "At the time, there was a prevailing attitude that some group is always complaining about something, so don't worry about it. Whenever we received a complaint, there would be two sides to the discussion: Either 'We need to deal with this' or 'Screw 'em if they can't take a joke.'"

The TV personality went on to explain about his jokes about Asians that he "knew it was wrong." He also noted, "I do not consider this particular case to be another example of cancel culture but a legitimate wrong that was done on my part. MANAA has been very gracious in accepting my apology." Finally, the star said, "I hope that the Asian American community will be able to accept it as well, and I hope I can live up to their expectations in the future."

But social media users immediately revealed their skepticism. "How dare you. Too little and way too late," one unimpressed individual tweeted. "Was he ever sorry before? Or is it just his publicist making him do this now that tons of innocent people are dead?" tweeted another angry user of the platform in a reference to the Atlanta spa shootings.

"Is it a publicity stunt or what?" questioned another Twitter user, while another critic noted, "Is #JayLeno's apology really an apology? According to him, he knew it was wrong and he did it anyway. Forgiveness for intentional discretions merits more than a weak 'sorry.'"

Finally, another Twitter user wondered, "How can you @jayleno make racially charged jokes and think they're 'harmless?'"