# Gilbert Gottfried out as AFLAC duck due to Japan-related tweets **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 15, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731 "2011-03-15T01:49:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/41 "2011-03-15T14:01:22Z")
If I were an insurance company doing lots of business in Japan right now, I’d be laying off everyone I could think of, too. They’ve got bills to pay! ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/42 "2011-03-15T14:08:35Z")
AFLAC _ **does** _ realize what Gottfried does for a living, right? I mean, this is some of the tamest stuff he’s said, like, ever. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/43 "2011-03-15T15:32:21Z")
How much you think he got paid to quack like a duck? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/44 "2011-03-15T15:37:36Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > What, this was the real reason? > > Oh well, I’m sure some voiceover for a talking bird gig will come along soon. Aladdin reboot! ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/45 "2011-03-15T15:38:46Z")
I don’t understand why AFLAC’s so upset over this. Gilbert got glowing reviews in Japan. He took to this job like a duck to water. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/46 "2011-03-15T15:56:33Z")
The Aristocrats! ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/47 "2011-03-15T15:58:01Z")
Did anyone crack tasteless jokes on Twitter after the Haiti quake? I don’t remember. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/48 "2011-03-15T16:02:07Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > The Aristocrats! Really. If that bit didn’t disqualify him as a “spokesman”, (btw, I never knew he voiced the duck), nothing should. > [@Sailboat](#): > > AFLAC is treating him like he’s radioactive after their efforts at containment failed. At least he’s responding to the tidal wave of criticism without ducking his responsibility. He’s used to such criticism. It rolls of his back like … ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/49 "2011-03-15T16:24:41Z")
The problem with most of these jokes is not that they’re not funny (although they’re not), it’s that they’re so lazy! I mean, thousands of people dying and cheap wordplay and puns on Twitter is the best you can do? Not to mention, the lame jokes in this thread… I’d fire all of you. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/50 "2011-03-15T16:50:10Z")
I’m not a fan of his, but I have to agree that this is a little silly. Its no secret that he’s irreverent, and that he doesn’t even voice the duck in Japan makes it seem like an overreaction. That is, I think they’re probably more worried about backlash here in the US, where so many people seem to take offense by proxy for others, than they were about how the Japanese would react. Particularly, a lot of people deal with traumatic circumstances with humor. I can’t particularly relate with the current situation in Japan, but after my initial shock with 9-11, I found those who quickly made humor related to it to be far more helpful. The same goes with personal tragedies throughout my life. Hell, I’m sure many people here have engaged in bashing an ex or even their entire gender shortly after a break-up. So, sure, they may not be for everyone, but making jokes, even irreverent ones, are a part of the coping process of many people. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/51 "2011-03-15T16:55:35Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > That is, I think they’re probably more worried about backlash here in the US, where so many people seem to take offense by proxy for others, than they were about how the Japanese would react. Since 3/4 of their business is in Japan, I’m going to guess that they were concerned about the reaction over there. Insurance companies in Japan are going to need all the good will they can muster. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/52 "2011-03-15T16:55:43Z")
Too tsunami. (Stolen, but I don’t remember from who) ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/53 "2011-03-15T16:58:34Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Did anyone crack tasteless jokes on Twitter after the Haiti quake? I don’t remember. Pat Robertson said it happened because Haiti made a deal with the Devil. Does that count? ---
**Author:** ![Profound\_Gibberish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Profound\_Gibberish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profound_Gibberish)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/54 "2011-03-15T17:02:40Z")
In this day and age of instant communication there is no filter of time or medium. Just blurt out whatever enters your mind and send it to a million people. In the past you would have to wait to get on Carson or Letterman, or at least to a lounge act, whereupon a cooler head might prevail before making such off color jokes. ---
**Author:** ![fjs1fs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@fjs1fs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fjs1fs)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/55 "2011-03-15T17:08:57Z")
You are all spelling his name wrong. It is GILBERT G-O-T-F-I-R-E-D! ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/56 "2011-03-15T17:47:08Z")
I don’t see anything wrong with him being fired for the reasons already mentioned here. I saw the jokes somewhere they were not just tasteless and insensitive but bad, as in not funny. One of the jokes was along the lines of he fucked some woman in Japan who said the earth moved and she was wet. Not only is it tasteless but it makes you actually picture Gotfried having sex and that makes it brain-bleachingly horrific. _shudder_ ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/57 "2011-03-15T17:58:34Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > I’m not a fan of his, but I have to agree that this is a little silly. Its no secret that he’s irreverent, and that he doesn’t even voice the duck in Japan makes it seem like an overreaction. That is, I think they’re probably more worried about backlash here in the US, where so many people seem to take offense by proxy for others, than they were about how the Japanese would react. > > Particularly, a lot of people deal with traumatic circumstances with humor. I can’t particularly relate with the current situation in Japan, but after my initial shock with 9-11, I found those who quickly made humor related to it to be far more helpful. The same goes with personal tragedies throughout my life. Hell, I’m sure many people here have engaged in bashing an ex or even their entire gender shortly after a break-up. So, sure, they may not be for everyone, but making jokes, even irreverent ones, are a part of the coping process of many people. this x 2 Sad our world is so uptight - we need all the humor we can get, even if it is in bad taste. Personally, I can’t look at the scenes over there without Godzilla popping into my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/58 "2011-03-15T17:59:43Z")
Can Geico save you up to fifteen percent on car insurance? Can joking about an earthquake get you fired? ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/59 "2011-03-15T18:09:31Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Can Geico save you up to fifteen percent on car insurance? Can joking about an earthquake get you fired? Cut to AFLAC duck setting Gilbert Gottfried on fire. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731/60 "2011-03-15T18:20:41Z")
[QUOTE=spark240] ETA: Also, I’m always surprised that nominal adults find any of the sort of jokes referenced (or attempted) in this thread to be funny. I remember hearing some of the Challenger ones as a _kid_ and snerking a little, but I’ve seen a lot of real life since then. [/QUOTE] I heard one pretty quick after the explosion: Q: What was the last voice recording recovered from the Challenger black box? A: **McAuliffe** : What’s _this_ button for? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilbert-gottfried-out-as-aflac-duck-due-to-japan-related-tweets/574731.md?page=4)