Pete Davidson: 'I kind of got forced to apologize' to Dan Crenshaw

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.stripes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/i-kind-of-got-forced-to-apologize-pete-davidson-addresses-dan-crenshaw-controversy-in-new-comedy-special-1.620362

By ALLYSON CHIU | The Washington Post | Published: February 26, 2020

On Nov. 3, 2018, "Saturday Night Live" cast member Pete Davidson mocked Texas Republican Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL who lost his eye in an IED explosion while serving his third tour in Afghanistan, for wearing an eye patch. In a "Weekend Update" segment ahead of the midterm elections, Davidson compared Crenshaw to "a hit man in a porno movie," adding: "I'm sorry. I know he lost his eye in war or whatever."

A week later, the scene that played out on the SNL set was one that fans had probably never seen before. Davidson was sitting next to Crenshaw behind the "Weekend Update" desk — and the comedian was apologizing to the newly elected congressman.

"I made a joke about Lieutenant Commander Dan Crenshaw, and on behalf of the show and myself, I apologize," said Davidson. He later added: "I mean this from the bottom of my heart. It was a poor choice of words. The man is a war hero, and he deserves all the respect in the world."

At the time, many viewers thought that the apology was heartfelt and genuine. But in a new Netflix stand-up special released Tuesday, Davidson appeared to take a different stance on the controversy that prompted his surprising mea culpa.

"I didn't think I did anything wrong," the 26-year-old said onstage at the Gramercy Theatre in New York. "It was like words that were twisted so that a guy could be famous."

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Good for Pete!

[Coventina]

1. It's in the nature of comedy to be transgressive. No one is saying you have to agree with it.

Do I think some comedians make jokes in bad taste?

Sure! All the time!

I mean, "insult comedy" is a thing. Not my thing, but it's a thing.

I've never understood the need to make comedians "clean."

That being said, there is a difference between comedy and a racist rant, like Michael Richards.

Just my two cents.

[Happy Hoosier]

2. The key to that transgression is the direction of the punch.

If you are mocking power, that's effective transgression.

If you are mocking a disability, or an oppressed group, it's not.

Punch up, not down.

[Coventina]

3. Yes, very good point. In this case, I would say Pete was punching up.

I mean, his whole schtick is about what a loser he himself is.

[Happy Hoosier]

5. Maybe.... on the hairy line, IMO.

Yes, Punching Crenshaw I would call "up." But making fun of losing an eye? Maybe not.

It's like fat jokes about Trump. Some might feel it's fair game because Trump is an asshole who insults other people all the time, but being a fat guy myself, I can tell you that what I hear is "fat people are worthy of ridicule. it's only because I deem you 'worthy' that I'm not insulting your fat ass (or missing eye)"

I think we have to be very careful with stuff like that.

OTOH, saying Mulvaney looks like the Nazi from Raiders of the Lost Ark seems like fair game to me.

[Coventina]

6. Crenshaw is a white, straight, probably Christian? (didn't look it up) former SEAL and Congressman.

He is dripping in privilege and if we can't poke fun at him then who can we possibly make fun of?

He would probably bristle at the idea that he's disabled due to his eye, FWIW.

[Happy Hoosier]

7. You misunderstand...

Crenshaw himself is a valid target. His missing eye? Maybe not. Surely there is other stuff to poke fun at than an eye he lost in the service of his country.

[janterry]

4. Can't stand him

Pete Davidson, that is. I actually don't find him funny at all (I suppose in his standup routines? He's rubbish in SNL, imo).

That said, I have no doubt that he wouldn't offer an insincere apology. That's his whole personality 'style' (speaking diagnostically)

[HipChick]

8. He also made racist remark about Black women being angry...

I wonder if he's going to apologize for that too..

[IcyPeas]

9. how dare pete davidson (a comedian) make fun of anybody

that's the president's job.

[maxsolomon]

10. The RW pounces on this sort of stuff.

They put it to their advantage in their ongoing Culture War against all things non-white and non-evangelical and non-militaristic.

Disrespecting the Military? HEAVEN FORFEND!

[Initech]

11. Ah, the right wing culture war strikes again!

A war that nobody asked for, or wanted, and that only the other side is fighting. Really they are embarrassing themselves.

[maxsolomon]

12. Embarrassing themselves and

radicalizing millions of (white) gun owners into paranoid hysteria.

Yesterday I reported a conservative ex-friend on FB for posting a picture of his rifle on his gun-cleaning bench with the text "hold on America, Republicans are coming".

I tagged the post "Terrorism".

[Iggo]

13. Boot lickers.