I totally agree. I posted a topic here also. I am not a fan, I don't really know her at all, but I felt something had to be said about the comment she made. I felt her words were ignorant and disrespectful. I tried to comment on the Today Show website but wasn't able to. I wish Matt Lauer would have said something, I am glad I am not the only one who felt her words were offensive!

I have to say that I was appalled when I watched the Today show this morning. Shame on you, Ms. Chenoweth!! It is our responsibility to protect this group of people because they can not protect themselves. Comments such as the “retarded” made on the show this morning injures those who have fought so hard for their friends and loved ones to have the same rights as others. They should be afforded the same protection as any other minority group. I think an apology is in order……

I understand that the term "retarded" is commonly misused. But it VERY Rude and Offensive to those of us who have special needs family members who are "retarded". I would expect someone who is in such a public position to be more well spoken and couth. Please take this to heart. Nowadays peoples tact and overall consideration are falling by the wayside. I would hate to hear you singing these wonderful songs all the while knowing what your mouth is really like. I ask that you choose your words more carefully, because you will turn people off to you more quickly than you could ever imagine.

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

second hand rose : She does have a lovely voice. If you enjoy her sound you have every right to continue to be a devoted fan. Thank you for your assurances on her offensiveness. Yes people do say hurtful words. If one uses a word, one should understand its meaning. If you also "want to stop these words from being used inapproriately" when would be a good time to stand up and say enough is enough?

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. -- "You know, you can't please all the people all the time... and last night, all those people were at my show." -Mitch Hedberg

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

Mom of Child: While I am a fan because of her voice, I also enjoy the type of person she is. Unlike many other celebrities, Kristin hasn't fallen victim to drugs or alcohol. Plus, she constantly donates to charity. That's not to excuse her choice of words, but I feel that one little slip-up isn't a big deal. In response to your question "when would be a good time to stand up and say enough is enough?" I think that now is as good a time as any. However, I don't think posting on forums is going to get people to change their ways. Here's an idea: Have you ever seen those commercials featuring Hilary Duff that try to get people to stop calling things "gay"? Maybe you should write to them and ask them to make a commerical for the misuse of the word "retarded". Here is a link to one of their commericials: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVicCD8FmMs I wish you and your daughter nothing but happiness. -- "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

HERE'S WHAT I PUT IN THE OTHER THREAD: 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. ANd if you have a family member who is "retarded" or whatnot, and if you were offended, yes i agree TO AN EXTENT. Sure it's offensive but, it's really not that big a deal. So she seemed like she didn't....idk..."thinK" about what she was gonna say (considering she only had like 2 seconds to reply) but hey, if RAPPERS and other celebs say the N word or the F word or other crap like that and NO ONE gives a flying crap, why should we care that Kristin had a slight slip-up? I'm not saying it's right, i'm saying that it's not the end of the world. ANd to whoever said a public apology is needed ,oh please. She will probably do it, but cmon, there are other news in the world to worry about rather than a singer's/actor's slip-up in choice of words.

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.