There is such a thing as "too soon", even in comedy, and @RealGilbert was tweeting jokes about Japan too soon. He has deleted the jokes, and explains: I was born without a censor button. My mouth & now email will continue to get me into trouble..
The jokes?
"Japan called me. They said ‘maybe those jokes are a hit in the U.S., but over here, they’re all sinking."
"I was talking to my Japanese real estate agent. I said ‘is there a school in this area.’ She said ‘not now, but just wait."
Not everyone was offended: Been reading your tweets. More than a few of you have said, "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke." Yup, those are true Gilbert Gottfried fans
Aflac however, wants nothing more to do with Gilbert voicing their duck and have issued a statement to CNN
"Gilbert's recent comments about the crisis in Japan were lacking in humor and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac"
"There is no place for anything but compassion and concern during these difficult times", said Michael Zunda, the company's senior vice president and chief marketing officer, who added the company was giving the Red Cross 100 million yen for disaster relief.
Aflac is the top foreign insurance company in Japan . As someone who can't stand that duck, I hope Aflac reconsiders spokesanimal completely now that the Duck has lost its voice.
Gilbert was never the voice of Aflac ads in Japan, as we reported here in 2003.
src="adland.tv/ost-translation-aflac-japan">Aflac ads in Japan, as we reported here in 2003.