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

Whoopi Goldberg, the renowned actress and television personality, has made it clear that she isn't easily offended.

Known for her honesty and fearlessness, Whoopi has built a career on being true to herself and expressing her opinions openly.

So when her then-boyfriend, Ted Danson, performed a controversial blackface routine at the Friars Club, Whoopi wasn't among those condemning him.

In fact, she was the one who wrote the edgy material for his performance.

Danson's appearance alone was enough to shock people as he donned blackface makeup with exaggerated features.

But it was the content of his routine that caused even more controversy.

With prominent figures like Mayor David Dinkins and Montel Williams in attendance, Danson told jokes about his intimate life with Whoopi and used racial slurs multiple times.

Williams, who was present at the event, left halfway through, comparing it to a gathering of the Ku Klux Klan.

While some expressed their embarrassment and disappointment, arguing that the routine went too far, others defended it as part of the nature of a roast.

The chairman of the Friars Club, after offering an apology, expressed surprise at the backlash, stating that everyone present knew what Danson's performance would entail.

Whoopi agreed with this sentiment and didn't shy away from voicing her support for Danson's routine.

She defiantly told the shocked crowd, “I don't care if you don't like it, I do!”

She later expressed her resentment towards those who judged her without truly knowing her, emphasizing that she has never been one to conform to political correctness.

In fact, she proudly revealed that she had written the jokes for Danson herself.

In a recent interview with the Times Magazine, Whoopi still showed little remorse for the incident.

When asked about the controversy, she responded nonchalantly, stating that it was exactly what it needed to be.

However, she did express regret about the absence of her close comedian friends, such as Billy Crystal and Robin Williams, who would have understood the nature of the roast better.

Despite the backlash and the negative impact on Danson's career, Whoopi stood by him.

The couple faced harsh treatment from the media during that time, and Whoopi saw the blackface routine as an opportunity to have fun with the situation.

While some failed to grasp the humor in the performance, others, like African-American model Beverly Johnson, found it entertaining.

Ultimately, Whoopi's unwavering support for Danson and her refusal to conform to societal expectations reaffirm her commitment to being true to herself.

She remains unapologetic about the incident, standing firm in her belief that comedy should push boundaries, even if it means offending some individuals.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Ted Danson's blackface routine did not faze Whoopi Goldberg, who wrote the jokes for the performance herself.

Despite the backlash, she remained steadfast in her support for Danson and her belief that comedy should not be restricted by political correctness.