Anderson Cooper apologizes for Dyngus Day giggle fit

Anderson Cooper arrives at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Feb. 26, 2012, in West Hollywood, Calif.

/ Getty

(CBS News) Not everyone was laughing over Anderson Cooper's most recent giggle fit.

On Tuesday, the "AC360" host began laughing uncontrollably during a "RidicuList" segment about Dyngus Day, a Polish-American celebration marking the end of Lent.

A description of Dyngus Day traditions, including girls striking boys with a pussy willow branch, is what got Cooper giggling.

As he struggled to regain his composure, he told viewers, "It's really so stupid" - referring to his inability to stop laughing. Some groups thought he was referring to the holiday itself.

Cooper set the record straight via Twitter on Wednesday, apologizing to anyone he offended:

Just learned some groups believe I called Dyngus Day "so stupid" in ridiculist. I didn't. I was saying my giggling fit was "so stupid."

-- Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) April 11, 2012

In ridiculist I called my silly giggle fit "so stupid" not @dyngusday.Sounds like a fun celebration. Genuinely sorry if I offended anyone.

-- Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) April 11, 2012

He also reiterated the apology in a statement, according to the New York Daily News.

"I am concerned to hear that some people believe that I called Dyngus Day celebrations 'stupid' or in any way criticized this holiday. I did not. While in the midst of a silly giggle fit I said 'this is so stupid' in reference to my inability to stop laughing," the statement said. "I was not saying Dyngus Day was 'so stupid.' I apologize to anyone who got the impression that I was being critical of Dyngus Day. I am genuinely sorry if I offended anyone by the lighthearted tone of the 'RidicuList.'"

Watch the video of Cooper's laughing fit below:

[ObserverUSA]

Anderson Cooper sounded like an Anti-Polish Bigot.

I highly doubt he would have treated other groups like Blacks, Jews, Muslims, Gays, etc in the same manner.

[EricaArthur]

I agree. The Poles traditionally were never known to make a fuss when anyone slighted or mocked them. I think that's why people take such liberties with them - still. No consequence. I can only conclude that he was surprised that they gathered and held up signs in protest: "Cooper is a Pooper." "Where is the pooper scooper?"

[megs322]

NO need to apologize. I thought it was funny and adorable. people need to relax

[KlaubTye]

Whatever, he's lying. He definitely did say it was stupid. I love AC as much as the next guy but it was stupid and he told the truth. People need to stop apologizing for what they say, ***. I've never heard so many apologies from celebrities in the last few years in my life.

[EricaArthur]

We're all picking on the wrong guy! Anderson only reacted to what was presented to him to present to the public, just as he giggled when that French actor urinated in an airplane by his seat. The actor's name as it related to the genitals and moving his digestive system made Anderson giggle. The persons who composed the Dyngus Day report were the ones mocking and insulting the holiday and the people who enjoy it. It was the tone of voice, the choice of words. More was expressed by "suggestion" and "insinuation" than could had been expressed in outright hostility, which I'm sure the network would had censored outright before it aired.

[NoCelebrityDay]

I must say such a things make me very happy, then they let me know, that also Americans are quite silly, when they are laughing at the tradition of other country. Maybe the word ***** was so funny, i don`t know, but still it`s tradition of other country, so more respect! I don`t need recall, that also in the US the are many stupid things many of them are tradition too.

[jjfromla]

Anderson Cooper is too precious - don't apologize for ANYthing! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time - it was hilarious!!! lmao

[msyellarose]

Heck, it sounds funny to me too.

[ssporleder]

OMG ~ Yest another apology?

This was so funny as was his previous giggle fit.

Leave the guy alone - can't anyone do anything anymore without people getting their panties in a twist and blaming his mother?

From the beginning he was doing his best to not laugh, but he may have had others in the studio that were beginning their own fit.

[EricaArthur]

Anderson's apology was perceived by me as truly sincere. That's why I looked up the Dyngus reporting and his giggling. I did not see it on the day it happened. Anderson is not apologizing for giggling. I think we all giggled with him! It was his use of the word "stupid" to which the Poles responded. It hit a sore spot with them, because, before "political correctness" they were "abused" with that label.

[jennifur]

Dyngus day is a 'no holiday' holiday, an excuse for a bunch of people to eat, dance and get drunk, in between times of wetting each other down and hitting each other with ***** willow. seriously,people, get over yourselves. it was a hilarious thing to see anderson cracking up.

[EricaArthur]

Dear Jennifer: Anderson is one of my favorites and still is; especially after I laughed with him at that incident probably even harder than you did! and enjoyed it just as much. Thank you, Anderson. However, my question still is: Why was the segment in the Ridiculous part of your show in the first place???

[EricaArthur]

P.S. Regarding your 'no holiday holiday' -- This innocuous Dyngus Monday (Who has a holiday on a Monday?) speaks to the fact that the Poles, before they were officially converted to Roman Christianity by their king over 1,000 years ago, were pagans. One day their king proclaimed, "Henceforth, you are Christians." As religious as they may be in their Christianity, their pagan primordialism is still evident in may ways. This is one of them. --- And, what's with all this "drunkenness"? What are you, a prohibitionist?

[jennifur]

it was one of the funniest things ive seen in a long time. i couldn't hear or see him i was laughing so hard. tears rolling down my face. god, even the sitcoms can't do that for me. please dont apologize coop, for giving such a great laugh. and dyngus guys, grow up, and go buy yourself a sense of humor.

[EricaArthur]

I don't blame Anderson for getting the giggles. "***** Willow" is a funny word, especially in such sexually symbolic gestures as boys sprinkling girls with water, and the girls responding with taps of ***** willows branches. But, rites of sexual symbolism go back to pagan days during the spring season in which animals usually mate and humans show goodwill toward fertility. MY QUESTION IS: WHY WAS A REPORT ON THIS IN THE RIDICULOUS PART OF ANDERSON'S SHOW? This is simple folk frivolity (not drunkenness) for a people who by group culture DURING LENT refrain from group festivities such as dancing and all that goes with it. That's why immediately after the HOLY DAY OF EASTER, they go back to their secular enjoyment of socializing. The French Americans do it before Lent on Great Tuesday. Why should the Polish Americans' loosening their restrictions the day after Lent be IN THE RIDICULOUS??? in the first place?

[jennifur]

see if you can buy yourself a sense of humor next time you're downtown.

[deb19992001]

Yes, thank you Erica!

It is a silly tradition but for him to first insult it and then lie about it only makes him look even worse.
As a 3rd generation Polish American I am offended by his stupidity and his pathetic lie to try to cover it. Why can't he just be honest? Apologize for the insult and come to Dyngus Day 2013 to make ammends!