Conan O’Brien has been barred from using Newark Airport after he insulted the city in a joke on his show.
“The Tonight Show” host made a crack about New Jersey’s largest city last week, saying: "The mayor of Newark, N.J. wants to set up a citywide program to improve residents' health. The health care program would consist of a bus ticket out of Newark.”
Some may found it funny, but the mayor of Newark, Cory Booker, wasn’t laughing.
Mayor Booker posted an “official” YouTube video blasting the late night host and informing the Irish-American comedian he isn’t welcome at his city’s major airport.
Booker first defended Newark, saying: “Conan, you failed to understand that our city is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. We have strong neighborhoods, strong people, record reductions in violent crime, we have a city on the rise.”
Then he took it to the streets, asking Newark residents how they felt about Conan’s joke. Clearly, they were none too pleased.
“According to the powers invested in me by the people of the city of Newark, I’m officially putting you on the Newark, New Jersey Airport 'no fly' list,” Booker said, then taking another jab at the red-headed funny man: “Try JFK, buddy.”
The ban hasn't deterred O'Brien from cracking Newark jokes. On Wednesday night, the TV host continued to poke fun at Booker's beloved city, and even informed the mayor that he's in turn banned from LAX.
Comments