Celebrity Feuds
Hey Leno, How's This for "Gayest Look"?!

Posted Mar 25th 2008 1:46PM by TMZ Staff

Jeff Whitless vs. Jay LenoBroadway playwright Jeff Whitty is once again lashing out at Jay Leno -- this time for asking Ryan Phillippe to give his "gayest look" on the "Tonight Show."

During an interview last week, Leno made light of Ryan's first acting role -- playing a gay teen on "One Life to Live"-- by asking the visibly uncomfortable star to give him his "gayest look." Queer eye for the unfunny guy!


In a letter on his website, Whitty, who won a Tony for "Avenue Q" and is openly gay, calls Jay a jerk for "using the stereotype that we're laughable and really, all the same in the end." Whitty also links to various images and articles of "gay faces" -- like slain teen and hate-crime victim Lawrence King -- and asks Jay, "Which one's the gayest to you?"

After sparring in 2006 over Jay's relentless "gay-baiting" jokes, Whitty and Leno allegedly talked and, er, straightened out the matter. But with this latest incident, it's safe to say Leno and Whitty aren't exactly fishin' buddies.

TMZ contacted a "Tonight Show" rep, but have not heard back.

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Filed under: Celebrity Feuds

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Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 8) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Jay's an idiot anyway, and rips off other shows for content...

Posted at 1:51PM on Mar 25th 2008 by BigMatt

2. It's time for Jay Leno to step down. I have quit watching his show because of the jokes that he makes about the gay/lesbian community. It reminds me of what my grandmother said. If you put others down and make fun of them it is because you feel inferior yourself.

Posted at 1:51PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Ben

3. I watch Jay Leno every night. He always puts me in a good mood. He tells jokes, people, stop all the bashing. Hope he goes to ABC when that very unfunny, goofy, silly Colin what's his name takes over. He will ruin the Tonight Show. It's a shame since the show has been on so many years.

Posted at 1:56PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Jay Leno is Tops

4. Come on TMZ, GET RID OF THIS REGGIE PERSON!!!!!!!

Posted at 1:56PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Dallas

5. oh, and Reggie, you're not a bad American, just a bad and woefully ignorant person!

Posted at 1:56PM on Mar 25th 2008 by kerry

6. Good for him! Jokes like Leno's and others make it okay for others to laugh at homosexuality, which in turn dehumanizes gays and lesbians. This, likewise, sends a societal message that it's acceptable to bully, bash, or otherwise mistreat gays and lesbians. Bravo to Whitty for taking a stand, and bravo for a change to TMZ for writing about it!

Posted at 1:57PM on Mar 25th 2008 by kerry

7. I totally read that as they aren't exactly FISTIN' buddies.

Posted at 1:57PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Laura

8. I rarely watch Jay; I've been a Letterman fan. But if he's saying these things, it's atrocious and NBC should not allow him to stay on the air now or fight for him in the future.

Posted at 1:58PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Jennie

9. Something tells me, Leno won't be loosing any sleep over Whitty!

Posted at 1:58PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Dallas

10. I've never disliked gays until I read the stupid comments that some of you are making on here. Gee, what dumb asses.

Posted at 1:59PM on Mar 25th 2008 by M & M

11. Never liked Jay Leno , He was never funny and always a ripping on any one other than himself. He probably a closet gay himself since he bashes us so much. Afraid to be real.
JAY IS AN A-HOLE

Posted at 2:00PM on Mar 25th 2008 by lookinthemirror

12. #4 Dallas, Your a sore loser ( can't take the heat get out of the forum )

Posted at 2:00PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Reggie

13. I watch Jay Leno every night. He always puts me in a good mood. He tells jokes, people, stop all the bashing. Hope he goes to ABC when that very unfunny, goofy, silly Colin what's his name takes over. He will ruin the Tonight Show. It's a shame since the show has been on so many years.

Posted at 2:00PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Jay Leno is Tops

14. Sorry M&M. Gay people are not the ones making stupid comments... that would be Mr. Leno... and I don't think he is all that gay. Much.

Posted at 2:00PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Dang

15. I'm sure Jay Leno is giving Whitty the same exact finger gesture right about now....

Posted at 2:04PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Fernando Valenzuela

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