Why Whoopi Goldberg Wasn’t Offended by Ted Danson’s Blackface Routine

Whoopi Goldberg, the well-known moderator of The View and an award-winning actress, producer, and performer, is not easily offended.

Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for being honest and unafraid to speak her mind.

This is why it comes as no surprise that she wasn't offended by her then-boyfriend Ted Danson's controversial blackface routine at the Friars Club.

During the roast, Danson appeared on stage wearing blackface makeup, a top hat, and painted white lips.

His jokes were outrageous, including explicit references to his s** life with Whoopi and his use of the n-word.

Some attendees, such as Montel Williams, left in the middle of the performance, while others compared it to a meeting of the Ku Klux Klan.

New York's mayor at the time, David Dinkins, expressed embarrassment for Whoopi and the audience.

However, the chairman of the Friars Club defended the event, stating that roasts are meant to be offensive and everyone knew what Danson was planning to do.

In her rebuttal, Whoopi stood by Danson, expressing her indifference to the crowd's disapproval.

She stated that she resented the backlash from people who didn't even know her, emphasizing that she has never been one to adhere to political correctness.

In fact, she admitted to writing the jokes for Danson's performance.

Years later, in an interview with the Times Magazine, Whoopi still maintained her nonchalant attitude towards the incident.

She explained that people often bring it up, expecting her to condemn it, but for her, it was exactly what it needed to be.

Her only regret was that her comedian friends, such as Billy Crystal and Robin Williams, were not present at the roast.

While some attendees found the routine hilarious, others were deeply offended.

Beverly Johnson, an African-American model who was in attendance, defended the controversial performance, stating that if one can't appreciate over-the-line jokes at a roast, there is something wrong.

Throughout the controversy, Whoopi stood by Danson, even as his career suffered due to the backlash.

The couple faced brutal treatment in the press, but Whoopi saw it as an opportunity to have fun.

However, she acknowledged that not everyone understood her sense of humor.

In conclusion, Whoopi Goldberg's lack of offense towards Ted Danson's blackface routine can be attributed to her commitment to honesty and her aversion to political correctness.

While many were outraged, Whoopi saw it as an opportunity for comedy, and her only regret was the absence of her comedian friends at the event.