Before embarking on her upcoming space journey, CBS Mornings host Gayle King has found herself at the center of attention on Earth after quoting a comedian’s uncensored gay slur during a live TV interview. The taping, which occurred on Thursday’s episode of CBS Mornings, has sparked widespread discussion, with reactions ranging from shock to praise.
King interviewed comedian Matteo Lane to promote his new book Your Pasta Sucks, which, according to Lane, highlights his passion for cooking and humor. The interview, which was meant to be lighthearted, took an unexpected turn when King decided to quote one of Lane’s stand-up jokes during their conversation.
The moment occurred when King, excited to delve into Lane’s stand-up material, asked him about a joke he performs about white women in the kitchen. “Can we talk about the stand-up? Can I just say one joke? I hope I don’t get in trouble,” King said before launching into the quote. “You do a riff about white women who approached you, and they said something about cooking, and you said, ‘What in the f—-try are you talking about?’”
GAYLE KING???? pic.twitter.com/87C0Jfxfzd
— DiscoWhoreSlut (@discowhoreslut) April 4, 2025
To the surprise of viewers, the CBS network did not censor the slur during the live broadcast, nor did they edit it when the interview was later uploaded to YouTube. However, after Entertainment Weekly reached out for comment on Friday, the video was removed from both the CBS News website and YouTube. Despite the removal, the footage remains available on other platforms, including user-uploaded clips on X (formerly Twitter).
As the clip aired, Lane was seen laughing and placing his hand over his mouth in reaction to the quote. King, clearly amused, responded by saying, “I thought that was hilarious. What does that mean?” Lane, in a playful tone, explained, “I love you, Gayle King. It means exactly what you think it means. White women, they’re fine during the day, but they have one sip of a rosé and they’re like, ‘Tonight’s about me!’ They won’t stop, I’m telling you. Horrible.”
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While Lane has not publicly commented on the exchange, he did share a censored version of the quote on his Instagram page, signaling his awareness of the controversy surrounding the moment. Entertainment Weekly later confirmed that the slur was removed from subsequent airings of the program and its digital versions, including its social media accounts. The clip’s removal from YouTube and CBS’s website followed the backlash generated by the uncensored remark.
The controversy has divided opinions across the internet, with some users praising King’s candidness and others expressing shock at the inappropriate language used on national television. Bob the Drag Queen, a comedian and RuPaul’s Drag Race season 8 winner, reposted the clip on social media and referred to King’s use of the slur as “honestly iconic.” For Bob, the moment seemed to reinforce the often irreverent, boundary-pushing humor that is characteristic of Lane’s comedy.
However, other viewers were less forgiving. One user on X (formerly Twitter) posted their astonishment, writing, “Did Gayle King just say that out loud on national TV!!!!!! I’m GAGGED! Literally jaw dropped!” The tweet quickly went viral, with many others expressing similar disbelief at the moment’s uncensored broadcast.
The language used by King also raised questions about the role of media personalities in moderating the content they repeat and amplify, particularly when it comes to using potentially offensive language in a public forum. Critics have pointed out that as a prominent figure on a widely viewed morning show, King carries significant influence and is expected to uphold certain standards of professionalism, especially when addressing sensitive or controversial topics.
As of now, CBS has not issued an official statement on the incident, and representatives for both Gayle King and Matteo Lane have not responded to requests for comment from Entertainment Weekly regarding the use of the slur or the removal of the clip from digital platforms. It remains to be seen whether the network will take further action regarding the incident, or whether King and Lane will address the situation in the coming days.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
The uncensored moment comes at a time when public discourse surrounding language and its impact has reached new heights. Comedians, who often use provocative language to explore social issues and challenge norms, walk a fine line between humor and offense. For some, Lane’s joke about white women and their tendency to “get wild” after a glass of rosé fits within the realm of comedic satire. For others, it could be seen as perpetuating stereotypes or using derogatory language that perpetuates harm.
In the case of King, who is known for her authoritative role in journalism, the incident raises questions about her responsibility as a media personality. Is it appropriate for her to repeat a comedian’s joke without considering the potential repercussions? Should there be more oversight when such language is broadcast on a major network? These questions are likely to linger as more viewers weigh in on the incident.
It is also noteworthy that Lane, who has built a career as a stand-up comic, has yet to publicly apologize for the joke. While he may not have intended to offend, the fact that the joke was quoted in a serious context on live TV adds complexity to the conversation. The comedian’s decision to share a censored version of the joke on Instagram, while not addressing the original broadcast, further contributes to the ambiguity surrounding the incident.
The removal of the video from YouTube and CBS’s digital platforms indicates that the network recognized the potential for backlash, particularly in light of the widespread discussion that followed the airing. It’s possible that CBS, after assessing the public reaction, determined that the use of the slur was inappropriate for their audience, leading to the swift removal of the footage.
What’s Next for Gayle King and Matteo Lane?
For Gayle King, the incident adds a layer of complexity to her already high-profile career. Known for her role as co-host of CBS Mornings and her longstanding tenure at CBS News, King has built a reputation as a respected journalist and television personality. As she prepares for her upcoming space mission, which is set to make headlines in the coming months, this controversy may raise questions about her judgment and professionalism moving forward.
For Matteo Lane, the attention from this incident may serve to amplify his already growing visibility in the entertainment industry. Known for his stand-up comedy, Lane has cultivated a following with his sharp wit and fearless approach to humor. Whether or not the controversy will impact his career remains to be seen, but it has certainly brought him further into the public spotlight.
