A&E suspends production after Dog’s racial slur

Nov 01, 2007 by Ian Evans

Duane “Dog” Chapman, star of A&E’s Dog the Bounty Hunter, is in the doghouse with the cable network after the National Enquirer released audio of a phone conversation where the 54-year-old repeatedly used the N-word.

Chapman apologized for the comments made in a phone conversation with his son Tucker, where he used the word in reference to his son’s black girlfriend. In one part of the recording Chapman says that, “I’m not going to take a chance ever in life of losing everything I’ve worked for 30 years because some (expletive) ****** heard us say ‘******’ and turned us into the Enquirer magazine.”

Duane Chapman apologized for the tirade and released a statement where he said that he had the “…utmost respect and aloha for black people who have suffered so much due to racial discrimination and acts of hatred. I did not mean to add yet another slap in the face to an entire race of people who have brought so many gifts to this world. I am ashamed of myself and I pledge to do whatever I can to repair this damage I have caused. My sincerest, heartfelt apologies go out to every person I have offended for my regrettable use of very inappropriate language. I am deeply disappointed in myself for speaking out of anger to my son and using such a hateful term in a private phone conversation.”

Dog’s show, the highest-rated series on A&E, has had its production suspended while the network investigates the matter and decides what steps to take.

Chapman has already met with his spiritual adviser, Rev. Tim Storey, an African-American who performed Chapman’s wedding. He said he hopes to reach out to other black leaders and is already trying to arrange a meeting with Rev. Al Sharpton.