MOUNT: Tracy Morgan’s homophobic, violent rant crossed comedic line

Comedy is about taking it to the extreme. Haven't you heard? We're living in post-racism, post-sexism, post-ism America. All boundaries are demolished. Instead, we can focus without reservation on what comedy is about: making us face the uncomfortable head-on.

There's the approach of "The Office," which amplifies the awkward tension we feel to highlight its (and our) absurdity.

Or there's the Zach Galifianakis approach, which pretends there is no tension and blurts the offensive in a deadpan, offhand way: "Have you seen that show on CBS called ‘The Amazing Race'? Is that show about white people?"

But is there a line?

For the most part, no. Comedy is meant to offend. We laugh when we're caught off-guard, and by laughing, we question our own sensibilities. "South Park" creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker's politically incorrect Broadway musical "The Book of Mormon" just swept the Tony Awards with nine awards for this very reason.

Then there's Tracy Morgan.

Photographer Kevin Rogers reported on his Facebook page that in a standup routine at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., Morgan said if his son was gay, "he better come home and talk to him like a man and not (he mimicked a gay, high pitched voice) or he would pull out a knife and stab that little N (one word I refuse to use) to death." This was among many other statements, like that gay children "should not be whining about something as insignificant as bullying."

Before this incident, I wasn't afraid to admit that Tracy Morgan was my favorite thing about one of my favorite shows on television.

Morgan plays an over-the-top egotist in his "30 Rock" character Tracy Jordan, which is really just a thinly veiled excuse to get the actual Tracy Morgan on camera. His TV character shouts lines like, "I once saw a baby give another baby a tattoo! They were very drunk!"

The real Tracy Morgan, sprawled out on a desk during a live TV interview, lifted his shirt and impersonated a pregnant woman. If you've ever confused character with actor, you may be forgiven.

With a persona based solely on ranting where the absurd, shocking and incoherent meet, the fact that Morgan managed to offend is almost remarkable in itself. But in this case, he can't simply be laughed off.

According to Kevin Rogers, Morgan's "entire demeanor changed during that portion of the night. He was truly filled with some hate toward us."

It's not unlike what happened to Michael Richards of "Seinfeld" fame in 2006. During a set at an L.A. comedy club, Richards shouted racist epithets at hecklers in the audience. His rant was complete with references to lynching.

Richards will likely never fully escape his remarks, but in the long run, they were inconsequential. Racism is still a prevalent issue, but we live in a society where pronouncements like Richards' are abhorred as a cultural assumption. People shake their heads at how pathetic it is that some still harbor those thoughts, and they move on.

Morgan's tirade, on the other hand, was not only homophobic, but hateful and specifically violent against those abused and most vulnerable.

According to the "It Gets Better" project website, nine out of 10 LGBT students experience harassment at schools, and more than one-third of LGBT children have attempted suicide. It's not about whether the words are controversial, it's about what those words could cause others to think is OK and what very real harm they could cause others.

Unlike Richards, Morgan is also currently a star of a hit prime-time comedy show. In the last few days, many have called for his firing by NBC.

Free speech applies, but NBC would be entirely justified if they decide to fire Tracy Morgan. Free speech allows Morgan say whatever he wants and lets everyone else decide whether they want to associate with him anymore. It would be a strong message from NBC on an issue that is too often treated taboo.

According to USA Today, Morgan has since apologized, joined with GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and spoken about his own experience being the victim of homophobia when his father died of AIDS in 1987.

Even though the apology was obligatory, Morgan seemed as sincere as his unable-to-be-taken-seriously persona allows. As long as he follows through and makes an honest attempt to stand up for gay rights, NBC and the public should be able to forgive and move on.

I've come to terms that most celebrities and comedians have to be arrogant and not entirely likeable to get in the position they are. If we boycotted everyone that represented a less-than-stellar moral code of conduct, we'd have a spotty selection of movies to see, TV to watch and music to listen to. Celebrities that are good at their professional jobs can do and say what they want in their free time. When they incite violence, a line is crossed. But, in this case, Morgan made his amends.

I'm uncomfortable supporting Morgan as a person and would likely never see his comedy routine if he came to Lincoln. But Morgan wasn't representing NBC in the show, and I will still be watching "30 Rock" again in the fall. I'll also be laughing openly at his off-the-wall humor.