I don't know much about Kristin Chenoweth either but I am not impressed. She is obviously unmannered and not well spoken. As offensive as her use of the word "retard" is, I find that Matt Lauer didn't pounce on her for using it just as offensive. I've written to NBC/Universal, NBC's parent company, and to the local NBC outlet here in Cleveland asking that some kind of public appology be made.

I would just like to say that even though I don't approve of the use of the word, I am still a devoted fan. Kristin is a very talented and intelligent person, and I assure you she wasn't trying to use the word in any offensive way. I respect of the opinions of the earlier posts, but I don't feel that her tiny slip of the mouth is worth all this. People use that word all the time, just like the word "gay". I too want to stop these words from being used inappropriately, but I don't think that her choice of words deserves all this hooplah. **Oh and Kristin, GREAT PERFORMANCE!!!*** -- "I dream of a world where chickens can cross the road without their motives being questioned" -Me

if you watch the video, you can see that after she said it, she realized she made a mistake. she is NOT unmannered and like secondhandrose said, it was just a slip-up. when my mother and 3 month old sister died in a car accident, Kristin sent me the most beautiful, heart-felt letter and flowers. the letter was two whole pages long and she said if there is absolutely anything she can do, just to contact her. she is definitely not rude and self-centered. in fact, she is one of the most self-less if not the most self-less celebrity out there. if you don't like her, then what the heck are you doing on a FAN website??? people say it everyday, CLEAVELANDER, are you going to make them publicly apologize??? and geez, people, on top of everything, she was using the word to describe HERSELF!!! maybe some of you should think before you speak... has anyone made britney spears publicly apologize for using any of the colorful words she does? paris hilton? lindsay lohan? i didn't think so... so back off of kristin. I almost committed suicide when my mom and sis died, and i would be dead if it wasn't for her. -- "Not everyone is going to like what you do or what you have to offer. However, if you can't see yourself doing anything else and being happy, and you have the drive and the ambition, get the training and go for it!" ~Kristin Chenoweth

I agree, SECONDHANDROSE. She probably should have chosen another word, but I'm sure she didn't mean offend anybody. I don't think you should judge her character based on a mistake. We all make mistakes people!

I have to agree that her way of using the word doesn't warrant such negativity of this "happenstance". I also believe that It's also in the way you choose to interpret certain meanings of such words. Words as such have more than one meaning (eg. Gay originally meant happy.) She most likely meant it in a light way, of calling herself an "idiot". I've no problem with such usage of a word (in that manner), but if she was referring to someone else in a more negative way then it would compel this naysaying. I urge you not to take this whole predicament in such a bad way, and try to see it in a brighter light. I believe a person with a heart like her's doesn't deserve such treatment, in light of the things she's done for charity. Just my take. And it isn't my intent to say that it's okay to say bad words, just because you've done some good for other people. -- "You know, you can't please all the people all the time... and last night, all those people were at my show." -Mitch Hedberg

Okay first of all, i think that Kristin did a phenomenal job with her performance(as always!) Second, I'm 200% sure that no one is perfect and that everyone makes mistakes. Kristin is very down to earth and I'm very sure that she did not mean it in any way harmful or offensive. and in reply to what CLEVELANDER said, as you said, you "don't know much about Kristin Chenoweth..." then why are you assuming that she is "unmannered and not well spoken?" Just because of one mistake, a mistake that you happened to watch, doesn't mean that you can JUDGE her. She obviously didn't mean it as you can tell by her facial expression right after she said it. Seriously, if you don't know much about her, then why are you bashing her mistake? I know that it really wasn't the best choice of words for her to use, considering she is KRISTIN CHENOWETH (famous-as-heck) but you know what? EVERYONE, whether famous or not, says stuff like that all the time. ANd i don't think that this whole "retard" thing is a big deal! SO what? Build a bridge and get over it. SHe's a great person and singer, and apparently, you people (who are bashing) haven't taken the time to know that. That's YOUR loss.

Ok i would first like to state that i can see how someone could get offended by the use of that term. HOWEVER, is it really worth blowing this far out of proportion?!?! I mean, asking for a public apology is going a bit too far i think! I'm not encouraging this usage, but at the same time different things offend different people. I happen to find curse words offensive, and i REALLY think using the Lord's name in vain is offensive, but it would be ridiculous for me to ask every celebrity who does that to make a public apology! I mean can you honestly say that you have NEVER offended anybody in your life? She is just under the spotlight because of her status. And as far as the meaning behind the term, i am more than completely sure she did not say it in any bashing way. It's like how teens today say, "that's so gay" instead of "that's stupid" or something along those lines. Yes it CAN be taken offensively, but 199 times out of 200 it is just innocuous slang. Kristin is an amazingly kind person with a heart of gold. I am positive she didn't mean to offend anyone and i really wish you would lay off her and realize that everyone (including me and you) makes mistakes. Thanks!

I think it's a shame that her phenomenal performance and talent seem to be overshadowed by an ill choice of words. It was wrong of her to use the word "retard" and it's understandable that people are offended and want a public apology. That being said, the few sentences she exchanged with Matt Lauer are hardly enough to base a claim like "Kristin is obviously unmannered and not well spoken" -- accurate judgments of character can rarely be made based on 30 second interviews. I've been a fan of Kristin for a few years now, and from what I know about her (which isn't a ton considering I don't know her personally) she doesn't seem the type to intentionally insult and offend a group of people, and I think that if/when she becomes aware of those she's offended she'll want to apologize and hopefully learn from the error. It's easy not to realize that the words we say carry more weight and venom than we intend, and that regardless of our intentions we may still offend people. Hopefully Kristin will realize that and at the very least she'll try not make that mistake again and at the most she'll issue a public apology. -- http://kchenoweth.net

I agree that Matt, as the official host of the Today Show had some responsibility in speaking up and I have written to the Today Show to ask for an apology on their side. I do believe that Kristin has a responsibility to understand how offensive the term "retard" is to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families and, as a woman who has been given the opportunity to reach millions of people with her voice, to choose her words carefully. She needs to be educated about person first language and to take responsibility for her words, that's all. The Kristin fans that have gotten over emotionally defensive and have not supported the thousands of views of the Todays show who are "retards" who do not have the social power to stand up for themselves when they have been insulted by a rich, powerful celebrity like Kristen, need to calm down and advocate for a moment for the powerless. All we're asking for is for Kristen to learn about the power of her words and to apologize. I'm not judging her performance (yes, she has a beautiful voice). I'm disappointed that she used such an insulting term to degrade already disenfranchised members of our society, but I know she did it unintentionally--that's why we have education and apologies. It really can be a simple remedy that we all don't need to throw insults at each other over.

Do you guys even know what the real meaning of retarded means? it means "slow". this adj MAY be used to describe a mentally challenged person for it describes how they are slow when it comes to mental or physical tasks, not to offend any body or there opinion but seriously Kristin calling herself slow is not offending

A friend in San Antonio has two kids who are autistic. She has the same dislike of that word that I do. This is proof that Lenny Bruce was wrong; words do have power, and can hurt. Using them to death doesn't work. Not using them and letting them die of neglect is the only way to defuse them. Kristen's a sweet lady who slipped with one word that she used to describe herself, and regretted it instantly. Get over it, folks. We all make mistakes. Miles -- "We live public lives. If you want to guard your privacy, stop it." -- Peter O'Toole

Get a grip. Let's see a woman of her age group, as a kid, would have used the word retarded in reference to some one who is now called mentally slow. Midget or dwarf for someone who is now called a little person. Fag for a person who is now called gay. Black for a person who is now called African-American. Handicapped for a person who is now called physically limited. It goes on and on. When she was a kid these words were not meant to be offensive just terms used. They became offensive when used by insensitive, intolerant people in a nasty way. She, like every other person in their late 30's and above who do not want to offend, do their very best to use the newer and politically correct words of the day. Sometimes what they used as kids slips. You saw it on her face after she said "retard" and believe me every person in her age group cringed for her, because they knew the barrage of anger she would receive because of it. Seems she's proven herself over time to be a very sensitive, tolerant, well-spoken woman.

Hey Guys! She was just talking about herself. Everyone needs to get over themselves. Being of short stature, I used to be called midget, short stuff, and "Oh, look it's the guy from Willow. Needless to say I have never watched the movie Willow. I really don't care if it is good or not. Did I run to the principal's office and tell on those kids? No, I just forgave and forgot. I used to say "screwed up" a lot. When I said it, I meant it as I messed up or I did something incorrectly. I try not to used that term ever since I got in trouble by my teacher for using it. We have taken words and gave them all dozen meanings. Why did we let this happen? "If everyone would stop being so PC. Maybe, we could live in harmony." (Avenue Q).

My 12-year-old brother-in-law has Down Syndrom. I have been a part of his life since he was 3. I helped him with speech therapy, was a babysitter and nanny to hime before marrying his oldest brother, and lived with his family for a year. I heard the word 'retarded' directed at him. And hearing it from Kristin doesn't bother me one bit. She didn't mean to offend or to hurt, so why would I be offended? Some times I say "Are you on crack?" Should I stop because some people actually are? I've also said "You're psychotic." And some people who suffer from mental illness will come after me with torches. Relax people. Do I like to hear people use the term? NO! Am I going to get upset by it? Nope. She said it, and I can choose to be offended, or I can choose to just enjoy the rest of the interview and music. I choose to enjoy the music. She can say whatever she wants, and if you don't like it, you have the choice to change the channel. Don't trample her First Amendment Rights because you don't agree. -- ~Megan