Comedy has a lot of gray areas, but here's one thing we can all agree on: Eating disorders aren't funny.
Unfortunately, Howie Mandel didn't get the memo. Last night's episode of America's Got Talent saw the comedian making an offensive crack in response to meeting a contestant billed as a "professional regurgitator" — a.k.a. someone who swallows objects whole before bringing them back up intact.
Mandel used the performance as an opportunity to make an ill-advised joke.
"You, sir, make bulimia entertaining," he quipped. Yeah, eating disorders are a riot.
It didn't take long for Mandel to realize his crack was in bad taste. Later in the show, he took a moment to apologize for his words.
"I just wanna take a second just to apologize," he told viewers. "I made a comment earlier, it's live television, I wasn't thinking.
"I made light of bulimia, which is a very serious eating disorder and mental health issue. I deal with mental health all the time, and I did something stupid. I should never make light of it. I apologize to anybody that was offended. I'm not perfect, I make mistakes."
Mandel, who has been vocal about his own struggle with OCD and ADHD, also issued another apology on Twitter. (E! News)
I am NOT perfect. I make mistakes. I sincerely apologize to everyone who was offended.
— Howie Mandel (@howiemandel) August 26, 2015