2 Broke Girls Controversy: Show Boss Says Raunchy Humor, Stereotypes OK Because “I’m Gay”

The critically derided Work It—about two cross-dressing sales reps—might be DOA (please?), but CBS’ 2 Broke Girls is here to stay.

And so are its racial stereotypes and sex jokes!

At today’s TCA Press Tour, showrunner Michael Patrick King attempted to defend himself against reporters’ criticism of his show’s relentless ethnic clichés and sexual innuendo with this puzzling rationale:

“I’m gay,” he said. “I’m putting in gay stereotypes every week [on 2 Broke Girls].”

And he was just getting started…

Rationalizing 2BG’s depiction of the diner’s diminutive Korean boss (Matthew Moy), King said, “I like Han…I like the fact that he’s an immigrant…In the past three episodes we haven’t made an Asian joke.” Instead, King said, “We’ve made short jokes.”

Well then!

“I don’t find it offensive, any of this,” King insisted. “I find it comic to take everyone down…being a comedy writer gives you permission to be an outsider and poke fun at other people…I think our jokes are classy-dirty,” said the Sex and the City creator, characterizing Broke Girls’ as “high-lowbrow, fun, sophisticated and naughty.”

During the lively panel session, King also exchanged some heated words with a reporter with an Irish-sounding name, quipping: “So, you’re Irish?…So we’ve identified your sexual problem.”

Clearly bewildered by the TV reporters’ slings and arrows, King said, “I’m surprised the questions are not about fun… We believe the show is about fun.”

But does “fun” equal “funny”?

Maybe not to critics, but according to the show’s strong ratings, millions of viewers are laughing.

And if ethnic stereotypes and tampon gags don’t tickle your funnybone, King promises:

“There will always be short jokes.”