And now for our continuing coverage of “Tracy Morgan: Homophobic D-bag or Just Misunderstood?” For the record, I thought Tracy’s initial comments – during a standup act in Nashville – were horrible and offensive, but I also think that we should accept his apology and listen as he tries to explain himself. And he is trying, probably because NBC and Tina Fey put him on notice. So this week will be full of Tracy doing things to help improve his image. Meh, I think we should let him. What does it hurt to let him try? First up, Tracy did an interview with Russell Simmons. Here are some highlights:

Tracy Morgan isn’t done apologizing for the violent, anti-gay jokes he made during a stand-up routine in Nashville on June 3.

In an interview with Russell Simmons for Global Grind, Morgan, 42, explains that “the reason I am successful is because I am so unfiltered. And sometimes as a result I say really stupid s***.”

During his act, Morgan joked that he would “pull out a knife and stab his son to death” if he announced he was gay — a joke that the 30 Rock star seriously regrets making.

“The truth is if I had a gay son, I would love him just as much as if he was straight,” he says. “I might have to try to love even more because I know of the difficulty that he would have in society.”

“Of all the sicknesses, there is probably none more abusive than homophobia. My heart is committed to giving everyone the same rights that I deserve for myself,” Morgan says. “I don’t care if you love the same sex as long as you have the ability to love someone. Also, you should have the right no matter who you are to protect and serve our country.”

“I am deeply sorry for the comments I made. What I am most sad about is the comments I made about kids and bullying,” he continues. “I would never want any young person to think that I wasn’t on their side.”

In hindsight, Morgan says the experience has taught him a valuable lesson about the power of comedy. “When all of this set in, I realized how hurtful my words were. Not asking anyone to feel sorry for me or pity me, but I definitely don’t want or need people to defend me. In my heart, I know that the words I used are indefensible,” he says. “I appreciate the love from my friends and fans, but I was wrong. Period. Now, I just gotta think of some funny s***, not some shit that gets me knocked upside my head.”

[From Us Weekly]

I like this lip service/apology, mostly because of this: “When all of this set in, I realized how hurtful my words were. Not asking anyone to feel sorry for me or pity me, but I definitely don’t want or need people to defend me. In my heart, I know that the words I used are indefensible.” That’s something that people like Chris Brown and Mel Gibson have never been able to choke out, you know? It’s not just “I was wrong” – it’s “I’m so wrong, I’m not a victim, I have literally no defense.” In the Age of Victimhood, where every d-bag who does something bad tries to play it like he’s the victim of something, I’m just saying that Tracy’s attitude is refreshing.

If that interview isn’t enough (and it’s not), Tracy is also going to go on something resembling a “I Love The Gays” tour. Later this week, Tracy will be meeting “gay youth” who have been pushed out of their families because of their sexuality. Tracy will also be going back to Tennessee for an event with GLAAD protesting the passage of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill which “outlaws the discussion of homosexuality before the ninth grade in public schools.” No joke. Oh, and he’s filming a PSA! AND there’s another interview, this time with E!:

“I know how bad bullying can hurt,” Morgan tells me exclusively. “I was bullied when I was a kid. I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it. I never want to use my comedy to hurt anyone. My family knew what it was like to feel different. My brother was disabled and I lost my father to AIDS in 1987. My dad wasn’t gay, but I also learned about homophobia then because of how people treated people who were sick with that,” he continued. “Parents should support and love their kids no matter what. Gay people deserve the same right to be happy in this country as everyone else. Our laws should support that.”

[From E! News]

All of this maneuvering is so well-done, I have to think that Tina Fey has organized it. I feel her presence here. But seriously, I welcome “Tracy Morgan: Friend, Advocate and Supporter of the Gays.” It could totally be worse, you know?

Photos courtesy of WENN.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmam5ian92e9OrmJyxj6K8s7PAp5agp5mjtKC7zZiYmKGPoby3sb6tn56Xl5bGtKvTqKyrl6OWxrSrx56WpaemmsCgwMeepqudpJ6wori%2BoJiyl6Oku3A%3D