Ice Cube told the Los Angeles Times he won’t back out of appearing Friday on Bill Maher’s show, but didn’t excuse the HBO host for using the n-word during “Real Time” last week.
“I’m pretty sure it’s going to come up,” the 47-year-old actor and rapper explained in an interview published Thursday. (RELATED: Bill Maher Called Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas To Her Face — You Can Imagine What Happened Next)
ATLANTA, GA – JULY 24: Rapper/actor Ice Cube attends “Straight Outta Compton” VIP Screening With Director/ Producer F. Gary Gray, Producer Ice Cube, Executive Producer Will Packer, And Cast Members at Regal Atlantic Station on July 24, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
“Everybody knows the deal,” he added. “I love Bill Maher’s show, but sometimes he’s got more black jokes than a white trucker. Liberals can be just as racist as conservatives.” (RELATED: Maher Defends Booking Milo: ‘Liberals Will Continue To Lose Elections’ If They React Like This)
“But everybody needs to check they self before they wreck they self,” he continued. “We can’t always be the go-to joke, you know. It’s like slapping the weakling in the group doesn’t make you cool. It doesn’t make you funny — it makes you nothing but a bully.”
Last week, Maher was interviewing Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, who said that the host was more than welcome to come out and “work in the fields with us” in Nebraska. Maher replied, “Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house n***er.”
Amid a loud outcry, Maher apologized and HBO said in a statement that the comment was “completely inexcusable and tasteless.”
“Bill Maher’s comment last night was completely inexcusable and tasteless,” the statement read. “We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show.”
The rapper’s appearance was booked long before the remark. When asked if he thought of backing out, he replied no. He added, “You can make a joke out of everything, but everything ain’t funny.”