Gayle King Quotes Gay Slur During Interview: “What In the F****try Is Going On?”

New York Post - Apr 5th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Gayle King ignited controversy on CBS Mornings after quoting comedian Matteo Lane's joke that included an uncensored gay slur. During a live TV interview to promote Lane's book 'Your Pasta Sucks,' King repeated the slur while discussing Lane's stand-up comedy routine. The segment aired uncensored and was uploaded to YouTube, but was later removed by CBS following backlash. Lane, who was present during the interview, responded humorously to King’s inquiry about the joke's meaning, while the exchange elicited a range of reactions online, from amusement to disbelief.

This incident has sparked discussions about the boundaries of humor and the responsibility of media personalities to avoid offensive language. While some, like Bob the Drag Queen, found the moment iconic, others criticized the use of such language on national television. The clip's removal from CBS's platforms indicates a recognition of the controversy it sparked. This development highlights ongoing debates about language sensitivity and the role of media in navigating comedic expression versus potential offense.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively reports on a controversial incident involving Gayle King quoting a gay slur during a live interview, capturing the immediate reactions and subsequent actions by CBS. It is accurate in detailing the events and reactions, though it could benefit from additional authoritative sources and perspectives to enhance its depth and balance. While the article is timely and engages readers with its clear structure and language, it could explore the broader implications of the incident for media accountability and language sensitivity more thoroughly. Overall, the article provides a solid account of the incident, with room for further exploration of the underlying issues and their impact on public discourse.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article accurately reports that Gayle King quoted a gay slur during a live interview with comedian Matteo Lane on "CBS Mornings." It correctly identifies the context of the quote, where King was discussing Lane's stand-up comedy and quoted a joke involving a term that is considered a slur. The story's claim that the uncensored version aired live and was initially available on YouTube aligns with the facts, as does the subsequent removal of the video by CBS. However, the article does not provide direct evidence, such as CBS's official response or statement, which would strengthen the accuracy further. The reactions from Matteo Lane and Bob the Drag Queen are also accurately portrayed, but the article could benefit from more direct quotes or statements from Lane addressing the incident.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including reactions from both supporters and critics of Gayle King's actions. It highlights Bob the Drag Queen's positive reaction, calling the remark "honestly iconic," while also noting the disbelief expressed by other social media users. However, the article could improve its balance by including more perspectives, such as those from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups or media commentators, to provide a broader understanding of the implications of using such language on national television. Additionally, the article could explore CBS's perspective or any internal discussions that may have occurred following the incident.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the events and reactions. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a broad audience. The use of direct quotes from the broadcast and social media enhances clarity by providing concrete examples of the reactions. However, the article could improve clarity by offering more context about the implications of using such language on national television and the potential impact on viewers and the network.

6
Source quality

The article relies on a mix of primary and secondary sources, including direct quotes from the broadcast and reactions from social media. While it references Entertainment Weekly for additional context, the lack of official statements from CBS or more authoritative sources weakens the overall source quality. The article would benefit from including comments from media experts or representatives from CBS to provide a more comprehensive view of the situation. The reliance on social media reactions, while relevant, may not always provide the most reliable or authoritative perspective on the issue.

5
Transparency

The article offers some transparency by describing the context of Gayle King's quote and the subsequent reactions. However, it lacks depth in explaining the methodology behind the information gathering, such as how the social media reactions were selected or why specific sources were chosen. The article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that could affect the reporting. Greater transparency could be achieved by providing more background on the decision to remove the video from CBS's platforms and any potential editorial guidelines that may have been violated.

Sources

  1. https://people.com/gayle-king-quotes-gay-slur-retelling-standup-joke-live-tv-11709639
  2. https://www.tmz.com/2025/04/04/gayle-king-gay-slur-quote-joke-interview/
  3. https://ew.com/gayle-king-gay-slur-live-tv-matteo-lane-interview-11709205