Stephen Colbert shows remorse for Kate Middleton's mockery following backlash from the public
In a recent episode of "The Late Show," host Stephen Colbert took a moment to address his previous comedic skit involving the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, following her cancer diagnosis.
The segment, which originally aired before the Duchess's health news was made public, has since been a subject of controversy and reflection for the comedian.
The skit in question aired on March 13, poking fun at the rumors of Prince William's alleged affair and the Duchess's subsequent absence from public life.
However, the humor quickly turned sour when, just days later, Kate Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis, prompting a wave of empathy and concern from the public and media alike.
During the March 25 episode, Colbert expressed his remorse, stating,
"We do a lot of shows. I tell a lot of jokes. I tell jokes about a lot of different things, mostly about what everybody is talking about... When I made those jokes, that upset some people... I can understand that a lot of my jokes have upset people in the past and some of my jokes will upset people in the future, but there’s a standard that I try to hold myself to, and that is I do not make light of somebody else’s tragedy."
Speaking on Kate's cancer diagnosis he said:
"I don’t know if her prognosis is a tragic one... regardless of what it is, far too many of us know that any cancer diagnosis of any kind is harrowing for the patient and for their family."
He continued, "Though I’m sure they don’t need it from me, I and everyone here at ‘The Late Show’ would like to extend our well-wishes and heartfelt hope that her recovery is swift and thorough."
He acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation and extended his well-wishes to the Duchess and her family.
The public's reaction to Colbert's original skit and subsequent apology has been mixed.
While some appreciate his candidness and well-wishes, others feel the damage was done when the jokes aired, potentially adding stress to an already challenging situation for the Duchess.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the role of comedy in public discourse, especially concerning individuals' personal lives and health. It raises questions about the boundaries of humor and the responsibility comedians have to their audience and subjects.
