Tracy Morgan
LOS ANGELES -- The Nashville audience member who publicized a homophobic rant by comedian Tracy Morgan has accepted the "30 Rock" star's apology and said he should not lose his job.
Kevin Rogers' Facebook post, "Why I No Longer 'Like' Tracy Morgan -- A Must Read" detailed anti-gay comments Morgan made during a June 3 performance at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium -- sparking a fierce backlash from Morgan's fans and criticism from his "30 Rock" co-star Tina Fey.
Morgan apologized unreservedly for his rant and revealed that he learned about homophobia when his father, who was not gay, died of AIDS in 1987. Rogers said that he believes the comedian's remorse is genuine and that he should not be fired, Radar Online reported Wednesday.
"I hope he understands that his words have consequences and there is a difference between joking and ranting," said Rogers, adding, "He appears to be genuine in his actions to this point past the apology."
He said that he hoped the 42-year-old would show more restraint in the future, but he did not believe he should lose his job on the hit show.
During his homophobic rant, Morgan said that if his son was gay "he better come home and talk to him like a man" or he would "pull out a knife and stab" him to death.
Morgan later told E! News, "I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it. I never want to use my comedy to hurt anyone."
He agreed to return to Nashville to apologize personally to audience members he offended. He said he would film a public service announcement for an upcoming Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation campaign.
Rogers said that he appreciated Fey's response, after the "30 Rock" star and executive producer described her co-star's actions as "disturbing ... at a time when homophobic hate crimes continue to be a life-threatening issue for the GLBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender] community."
Morgan was warned about his future conduct by NBC, according to the chairman of the network's entertainment division, Bob Greenblatt.
He is next due to perform next at Connecticut's Foxwood's MGM Grand Theater on July 2.
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