Comedy Honcho Hates the Haters

Mired in the backlash from the Michael Richards incident and the subsequent banning of the N word from his club, Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada took out a full-page ad in today's Variety, addressed to his "family of comics."

Masada mentioned the charity work his club has done, and pointed out how he was honored by the ACLU for his commitment to the First Amendment. He then addressed the Michael Richards incident and his club's reaction to it:

"I draw the line when it comes to intolerance," he said, "and my stage will never again be a platform for hateful speech. It is my hope that other comedy clubs will join me and the Laugh Factory in our stance against hateful speech." For Masada, this is clearly no laughing matter.