I always like the fact that GG was fearless in his comedy. He was probably the first person I heard make a joke about 9/11 (not that I endorse that, but it is evidence of his fearlessness). I am sure he always knew something he said would cost him this gig sooner or later.
I’m looking at you, Russell Brand.
One article I read pointed out that GG does not do the duck voice in Japan.
damn!!! Someone got their feathers ruffled.
Step back from the twitter account or the duck dies.
Certainly an insurance company does not want its corporate symbol being heard joking about the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster. This is the time when they want to project the whole caring, we’re-there-for-you face to the world.
An Aflac commercial spawned a hit song in Japan, so…yeah, they’re kinda big there…
I’m figuring it’ll be a race between Bobcat Goldthwait and Fran Drescher.
I’ve always wondered why they kept him on. Sure, his voice is his trademark, but plenty of people can pull of a similarly annoying voice, without it being their natural voice.
For example, I’ve heard that Fran Drescher sounds perfectly normal now.
I hope the next AFLAC commercial shows the duck eating what looks to be some sort of talking salamander. After that the duck suddenly he gets a cultured, smooth-timbred voice which doesn’t go away.
I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but following your insensitive joke regarding the recent earthquake in Japan and the tragic firing of Gilbert Gottfried we’re going to have to let you go as spokesman for the Straight Dope.
Thanks. I heard a story on NPR and couldn’t remember if it was 2/3 or 3/4 so I went with the smaller number.
Clearly, this is the early stages of a complete meltdown…
Chalk up another point for Mayhem.
Gottfried tweets insensitive jokes about current tragedies all the time. When Greg Giraldo died a few months back he was making jokes about it before a lot of people had even heard he died.
Funny to think how technology like twitter has make the process of making “too soon” jokes so much easier.
So… Gilbert Gottfried is an asshole?
THERE’S a surprise! I think I’m gonna have a heart attack and DIE from not surprise!
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.
Just wait till that time machine app comes out.
I wouldn’t continue to employ somebody, as a face or voice of my company, who made those jokes publicly, either.
And Japan’s disaster is literally thousands of times worse than those incidents.
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.
That makes sense. They’d have to pay him for a second session to record the voice of the AFRAC duck.
It’s not Gottfried’s natural voice either.
I don`t think I was ever aware it was Gottfried doing the duck, personally. So I think it was a waste of money for them if my experience is common.