Alec Baldwin Should Apologize If He Used Racial Slur, Tracy Morgan Says

Tracy Morgan takes offense at reports that Alec Baldwin hurled a racial epithet, in part because the phrase he supposedly used is "played out"

Tracy Morgan is offering some advice to his former "30 Rock" co-star on a topic that he knows a thing or two about: Apologizing for an offensive remark.

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Morgan called in to Charlotte, N.C. radio station Kiss FM on Tuesday and said that Baldwin should apologize if he referred to a paparazzo by a racial slur, as has been reported.

Also read: Alec Baldwin Denies Racial Slur Aimed at Photographer

Morgan took pains to note that he doesn't know if Baldwin actually used the offensive phrase.

"I'm just saying that if he called somebody a coon, he should apologize," Morgan opined. "I'm just saying, if anyone calls anybody a derogatory statement like 'coon,' this is 2013. First of all, 'coon' is played out!'"  

Baldwin, who's faced off with the paparazzi before, most recently made headlines when he reportedly called black New York Post photographer G.N. Miller a "coon" and a "drug dealer"  during a run-in in New York on Monday, which ended with both men filing harassment claims against each other. (The altercation, of course, was reported by the Post.)

Also read: 'SNL': Alec Baldwin Apologizes to Himself (Video)

The actor has denied using the phrase, and according to TMZ, an audio tape has surfaced, proving that the actor did not use the slur. TMZ also reports that the tape reveals, contrary to the Post's account, Baldwin did not tell Post reporter Tara Palmeri "I want to choke you to death," bur rather said, "I want you to choke to death" — a small but important distinction.

During the interview, Morgan noted that there was never any racial tension between the two of them, adding, "We were totally friendly, but that goes for anybody. If another black person calls somebody a coon, he should apologize."

Also read: Tracy Morgan's Gay Rant: NBC Isn't Happy, but '30 Rock' Star Still Has a Job

Morgan famously offered his own mea culpas in 2011, after saying during a stand-up performance that he would stab his son to death if he were gay.

After experiencing a backlash, Morgan issued an apology, saying, "While I am an equal opportunity jokester, and my friends know what is in my heart, even in a comedy club this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context."

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