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‘Not funny’: Jay Leno’s joke about his motorcycle crash and Jeremy Renner's snowplow sparks debate

Jay Leno's joke was praised by some fans, but several people thought the tweet was offensive

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Jeremy Renner was the target of a joke made by Jay Leno about his most recent motorcycle accident, which elicited a range of responses from fans online. Leno posted the tweet just 10 days after a motorbike accident, in which he shattered his collarbone, two ribs and two cracked kneecaps. The 72-year-old's injuries come only two months after he was burned in a garage fire in November 2022.

"I was riding my motorcycle up in Lake Tahoe and I came around the corner and bam, I crashed into Jeremy Renner's snowplow," Leno joked in a tweet on Friday, January 28. A snowplow-related "traumatic injury" that Renner, 52, led to his hospitalization on January 1. Renner was struck by the vehicle while attempting to save his nephew from it, according to a CBS News story.

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As previously reported, on January 17, the comedian was riding a vintage motorcycle in Las Vegas when he was tripped by a wire hanging over the lane with no sign above it. His string of bad luck continued as his CNBC motor show was canceled this week. "Just last week, I got knocked off my motorcycle. So I’ve got a broken collarbone. I’ve got two broken ribs. I’ve got two cracked kneecaps," he added, "But I’m OK! I’m OK, I’m working. I’m working this weekend."

"I turned down a side street and cut through a parking lot, and unbeknownst to me, some guy had a wire strung across the parking lot but with no flag hanging from it," he continued. "So, you know, I didn’t see it until it was too late. It just clotheslined me and, boom, knocked me off the bike. The bike kept going, and you know how that works out." 

Meanwhile, Leno's joke was praised by some fans, but several people thought the tweet was offensive, with John Dawson commenting, "Not funny. Renner broke 30 bones in the process of saving his nephew’s life. Respect to the guy. Pure guts." Another tweeted, "Please school the veteran comedian who just had a serious accident, but can joke about his incident on what’s funny." A third chimed in saying, "Given your recent bad luck, I might refrain from snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef. The likelihood of your becoming fish food seems quite elevated." A fourth posted, "You are the funniest! Be careful."

A fifth commented, "For everyone getting upset with Jay, a couple of thoughts. First Jay was in a real accident, speedy recovery Sir. 2d if we don’t bring some levity to life then life becomes just an angry journey. 3d, anyone ask Jeremy his thoughts on the joke? I’m sure he would smile at Jay Leno." A sixth said, "I'm so sorry to hear of your recent mishaps, @JayLeno, and wishing you a speedy & full recovery. At the same time, I'm missing comedian #BobEinstein a lot today, and I'm so glad to hear you've inherited and decided to carry on his iconic role of #SuperDaveOsborne. He'd be proud." A seventh joked, "I’m starting to think you just like hospital food? Get well soon." Another tweeted, "In no way is it too soon for this." "Gonna wrap you in bubble wrap!! Get better, Jay. Sheesh!!" said a ninth.

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