MSNBC Temporarily Pulls Alec Baldwin's Show Following His Anti-Gay Freakout
In a TMZ video posted Thursday, Baldwin shouted at a cameraman: "that one is a 'c---sucking fag,' but then later vehemently denied the anti-gay remark on Twitter, claiming he said he had actually used the term "fathead."
After plenty of backlash, he finally apologized on Twitter, and has asked his loyal fans to "accept his apology."
Here's his statement, posted to the MSNBC website:
I did not intend to hurt or offend anyone with my choice of words, but clearly I have - and for that I am deeply sorry. Words are important. I understand that, and will choose mine with great care going forward. What I said and did this week, as I was trying to protect my family, was offensive and unacceptable. Behavior like this undermines hard-fought rights that I vigorously support. I understand "Up Late" will be taken off the schedule for tonight and next week.
I want to apologize to my loyal fans and to my colleagues at msnbc - both for my actions and for distracting from their good work. Again, please accept my apology.
It's not the first time Baldwin has been under fire for homophobic rants. In June, he blew up at Daily Mail reporter George Stark and called him a "toxic little queen" after his wife was accused of tweeting upbeat messages at James Gandolfini's funeral. He later wrote to the LGBT rights group GLAAD and apologized.
This time, GLAAD has called for him to "end this pattern of anti-gay slurs."
Baldwin's show "Up Late" - which he began hosting in October - usually airs Friday nights at 10 p.m. eastern.