I was at the same show and honestly had the same reaction. I thought he was god-awful. I was sitting right in front and only really laughed because it was awkward being that close while someone was pretty much bombing. There were a couple of laughs in there, but most jokes either didn't have much of a point or were tough to relate to as a non-celebrity. For example, the "Don't you hate it when you go out to a really expensive and exclusive sushi restaurant and one of your friends tells you about another, more expensive, more exclusive sushi restaurant" bit. Yeah, who hasn't been there? That said, even though it wasn't very good and was awkward at the moment, I thought it was a cool thing to see. Its certainly been a great story to tell friends. It certainly didn't take anything away from my night out at the club.

If he said Tigger(-)T(+)N, then he should not tell jokes.

If Sherrod Small is right, then he can try comedy.

Either way, he shouldn't play music.

That exclusive sushi restaurant joke sounds like he was actually poking fun at his celebrity status. I've seen this guy be funny on numerous occasions. It was his first night up, it's amazing the nigger got even one laugh.

I am Black, and really liked John MAyers music. That is why I was really shocked when I heard this.I know that some ppl think the "N" word isn't offensive. But I think it is, amd after hearing about this as a person who won't even say the "n" word herself, I think again about listening to his music now. I always wondered if he was a junky anyway.

Okay... I imagine that it would have been super wierd but as a member of the "often referred to as the n-word" peoples I would be slightly offended if I knew that he wasn't human and high. I think he stays way too high to give a crap about reviews- he knows what he's saying and he knows that nobodys gonna knock him over the head because he's John Mayer. Part of me thinks its funny, afterall dude used to think he was Hendrix and part me is offended. Neither part of me has bought the new album but its not because he's a racist, its because I'm saving up for the E True Hollywood box set where I expect to see lots of pictures of him coked out and making out with his guitar. That being said, I do love his music, how could u not? It puts babies to sleep, its so 'spacey'.

I'm probably the only one that has to disagree with everyone here who thinks his music bites because Continuum, his new album, is incredible. His comedy however, not so much. Looks like he's going through a trying-to-be-edgy phase (anyone hear the rolling stone interview & what he said about brad & angelina?). Between that and his use of the n word trying to shock people, I'm not impressed. But I don't care. He's a musician. His opinions and his humor are who he is which has no affect on what his jams sound like to me...

I don't think he's racist, I'm a black women and when people (non-black) use the n-word I really don't get offended esp. if their just joking. Now, don't get me wrong I'm not excusing it because I don't use the word and hate it myself but this is 2006 man, and if you get uptight about something that stupid you're not going to get through life. I mean I don't know about you black people but I'm not a "nigger" last time a checked the dictionary defintion a "nigger" was a ignorant person, and I'm a fan of john mayer he's a talented artist I love him I just think he should think before he talks cause alot of people are more sensitive than others and last time I checked racist people don't connect themselves to black people steve jordon-black, b.b.king-black, alicia keys-half black, covering jimi hendix music-half black,buddy guy-black, oprah-black oh, wait she's white just kidding. oh love continuum boo muah!

It's kind of hard to take people who say "The n-word is offensive" seriously when many black people use it at least once in every sentence. So it's only offensive when white people say it? How about this: I'll only get offended when a black person says "whitey", "snowman", "honkey", or "whitebread". Get real.

"It's kind of hard to take people who say "The n-word is offensive" seriously when many black people use it at least once in every sentence. So it's only offensive when white people say it?"



[b]That is one of the most biased and idiotic statements I've read today. Get a clue, imbicile.Not EVERY black person uses that word especially not in every other word of every sentence. I suppose this is true for Barack Obama and Oprah as well, right?Black people have tried to take control of the word by twisting it and thus nulling it but make no mistake, the hatred and ugliness that it spawned from is definitely not of African origin. An oppressed people in a STOLEN nation have the right to try and combat the hatefulness bestowed upon them by the children of their oppressors.John may think its "cute" but if someone casually threw around "ovendweller" when referring to Jews or "Spicks" when referring to Hispanics, all hell would break loose but a word with such an ugly history can NOT be dismissed as "okay" in the U.S., especially when being used by the children of the criminals who created it.If you or Mr. Mayer for that matter, feel so comfortable using the "n" word by all means walk through the middle of Watts or Compton or Little Rock, Arkansas screaming it out loud and see welcome you'll feel. Imagine telling the ambulance driver "I don't understand why they did this to me; all I did was call them "n****rs"[/b]

Oh come now, he connects himself with so many black people, and you consider him racist for using a term that means "Arrogance"? You're offended because he said "Arrogance"? You think he's reffering to you because he said "Arrogance?" is that how you think of yourself, as arrogant? Well I sure wouldn't, I sure wouldn't be offended by this either, what he said here was just a little nervous breakdown from his bombing (Which I kinda feel he did with the sushi bar thing) Besides he has great music, I doubt saying arrogance in another term really changes his music at all, come on now, grow up.

Okay this is silly, he might be an utter idiot for saying what he said and a terrible comedian but his music is his music and I enjoy it throughly.

What did you expect from someone going out with one of the most attractive though most stupid people on this planet??? He writes fantastic music, but acts like an idiot. Full stop.

Caleb hit the nail on the head...He primarily writes about love, but he's to much of a n***** (ignorant person) to find it. I have to be honest though. I truly appreciate John Mayer. We all have our weaknesses. He's human just like all of us. He's a bluesman and that in itself shows us how much soul he has! And don't for a second forget where the blues music originated...John's musical contributions are spectacular reminders of how important the past (black slaves) is. It's quite amazing that in times of so much suffering something so beautiful could be created. That is the Hu. element. LOL!

I saw the show. He didn't say anything wrong. His friend Sherrod (a black comic) had told him to tell the joke, and it just wasn't that funny. But there was absolutely no racism to it - he was poking fun at racism.

It's such bullshit when people say that nigger means an ignorant person. It doesn't. Do a brief search on the etymology and origins of the word. I understand that people say that in order to take away the power and the sting of the word, but it's just not true. It's an ugly and offensive word that says more about the ignorance of those who created it than those it supposedly describes. It is not a generic term for any "ignorant person". Look it up.

Nah, I've had friends for years who I think are racist. Why? Because despite how cordial we are to each other, every once in a while they say/do something that makes it 100% clear that they look down on me because of the colour of my skin.

Make no mistake you can play guitar with a black man, appreciate his skill as a musician, crack some jokes and still have deep seated racial issues. Sounds like John just said what he meant and is regretful now that he's rocked the boat.

if blacks what the word to stop being used they must stop using it themselves. until then calling out john mayer for using it is the height of hypocrisy. and no "nigga" is not any different than "nigger"

As a professional stand-up comic, I am offended that John Mayer gets referred to as a "comedian". The only reason people let him get on stage is because he's famous. If he wasn't, he would be an open-micer at best. Which is actually what he is. It's strange, the other big "N-word" incident occurred with another non-stand-up comedian posing as one, Michael Richards. Hopefully this incident of his will make him go away as well.

John Mayer is a racist pig...........IMe and my crowd will never purchase his music again.
Who cares if he would sleep with a black woman.. I'm sure they don't. His pecker is probably 2 inches and he has withered balls.

That was no joke and he should be ashamed of himself

WOW A WHITE GUY UTTERED THE WORD 'NIGGER'? MUST BE RACIST

What he was trying to say was that if he truly had a 'hood pass' it would make him on par with the people IN the hood (aka, black people) and he'd be allowed to say the n-word, thus being able to call it a 'nigger pass'.

The problem isn't that he said it, the problem is that the word is this shameful, taboo thing shrouded in utter secrecy to mainstream America. In fact when we read this one book in 10th grade we weren't even allowed to SAY it aloud. Does anyone else see how fcking ridiculous that is? Like uttering it aloud is so repugnant it will make the ceiling cave in or something

It's like when a non-black person says it they instantly morph into a deep south southern slave owner straight from Roots or some shit, no matter what context it is used in. Even if they're trying to say "hey i think calling black people NIGGERS is really outdated and wrong"

tl;dr we need to address the taboo surrounding the word instead of chastising him.

And you can be 100% not racist and date within your own race. Maybe he's not attracted to black women. So what? You can't help what you're attracted to. Maybe the cultural difference between him and the black women he's met have been too vast. Who knows? It's his choice who he sleeps with. If he said he didn't like redheads or tall women or girls with piercings no one would have cared.

I'm tired of all the racial shit, we are all human just different skin tones. How come its ok to squint your eyes and say look im Chinese but its not ok to make you nose look big and say I'm black. I'm just saying this because the other day in a Chinese fast food place a black guys kids where squint there eyes and going hong chong hong chong and when the Chinese guy treated him rude he made a scene and was like o because im black you can treat me like shit. Im sorry just because your black dosent mean you can make fun of other races, that makes you a raciest your self. Im just sick of blacks making fun of other rases and getting pissed when they get it back. I went to a all black high school and got missed with on all the time for being white and when blacks called me names and other white kids name like honkey and snowflake no black teacher said nothing but when a white kid called a black kid a N*ger all hell broke lose. Just about every race has been in slaved at some point in history its happened to everyone so get over it. Just look at what happened to the Native Americans and they bitch less then any race. If you make fun of any race your a racist. So if you make fun of Blacks,Whites,Mexicans Italians your a racist. So its not ok to be like look at those mexicans and laugh and think your not a racist because you dont use the n word you just made fun of a race jack ass. That makes you a racist. its not just only when you make fun of blacks.

Some of the comments here are to too ludicris,FYI people the "N" word was not brought with the blacks when they were enslaved here,it was our "White" ancestors that bestowed that ugy term on them and aye some blacks do use the word but among themselves and tis they'er choice,I know if I was black and it was aimed at me by a non-black person I would be offended,my daughter is 1/2 Japanese and when someone uses the "JAP" trust me I'm getting anal and will light into ye arse,tis a vile term,John Mayer is an idiot and his music bites,he sounds too grainy for my taste!

"And you can be 100% not racist and date within your own race. Maybe he's not attracted to black women. So what? You can't help what you're attracted to. Maybe the cultural difference between him and the black women he's met have been too vast. Who knows? It's his choice who he sleeps with. If he said he didn't like redheads or tall women or girls with piercings no one would have cared."

You are obviously an imbicile Deanna. I don't know who John Mayer nor do I care what he does. The reason why people are pissed is not the fact he dates only white women, but he used racial slurs that made him look racist. You are correct though. You can be 100% non-racist and date within your own race, but he did not appear that way according to the interview. He should of said I don't date black women. No one cares if his dick has a Nazi symbol or that he has a N-pass. That is over the line and stupid. So do you understand the difference now? I am also surprised that Playboy would have that piece of shit in an interview. I am tired of white people saying "blacks use the N-word too." That means that white people are trying to excuse themselves from the history of hate in this country. Its funny how they don't want look into that past but wish the country was ran like it was in the 1950's.

OHHH GET THE HELL AWAY
HE IS A RACIST CUNT AND HE IS UGLY TOO