NBC’s Today Apologizes for ‘Offensive’ Sign Language Joke

NBC’s Today Show issued an apology Wednesday morning after one of its producers attempted to make a funny about the South African sign language interpreter scandal.

The Today co-hosts were in the midst of discussing how the interpreter used during the Nelson Mandela memorial was allegedly a “fraud,” according to one major organization for deaf people.

As Natalie Morales, Willie Geist and Al Roker talked about the controversy, a video popped up in the corner of the screen with a Today producer mimicking nonsensical sign language.

Once the co-hosts realized what was going on, they became visibly embarrassed and scolded the off-screen producer for doing the joke.

“Guys, let’s not do that,” Morales said.

“No, no, no, wrong,” Roker said before shaking his head and putting his head in hands.

Shortly after the airing, the show’s official Twitter account sent out an apology:

We aired a joke in our 9:00 hour that was offensive. We apologize to our viewers.

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 11, 2013

Watch the offending moment below, via NBC:

[h/t HuffPost Media]

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