10/2 4:41 PM PT -- 10/2 -- Rob O'Reilly tells TMZ ... there's more to the story about him getting canned over his use of the n-word during a cruise standup comedy set -- and the big picture, according to him, is that most of the crowd was actually on his side for this.
He says the crowd that night consisted of mostly African-Americans, and he also says the joke he made was race-related, not racist. While he denies using the n-word multiple times -- he seems to be admitting he might've used it once ... but goes on to say that while everyone else found it funny, 2 audience members did not -- and they're the ones who made a stink.
Rob tells us all he did was remind them about what the host of the show had told the audience at the beginning -- that if you're easily offended, leave -- and when he realized they were at a crossroads with the hecklers ... he suggested they bounce, which they did.
The video was posted, though, and the rest is history -- Rob insists he wasn't fired for what he said, but more so because someone tattled with an out-of-context POV. One last thing -- Rob says he believes in an unspoken contract between comedians and folks who come to their shows -- namely, that a comic is allowed to say things that you obviously wouldn't say in a private conversation ... and that comedy, by its nature, caters to that concept.
He also acknowledges some of his old tweets don't look great in 2022, but also says he's a victim of cancel culture ... which doesn't' allow for personal growth.
Rob also says that since this story took off, he's been subjected to a lot of hateful and vicious messages from people online ... which is why he scrubbed his socials.
A white comedian is in hot water after being accused of using the n-word multiple times during his performance on a Carnival Cruise.
A woman, who was a passenger on the ship, posted a short clip on TikTok last week that's since gone viral ... showing comedian Rob O'Reilly onstage -- but the video by itself isn't what's upsetting.
The on-screen caption reads, "So on Carnival Cruise right now and they are perfectly fine hiring someone who uses the N-word multiple times in his show and when the issue was raised he said and I quote ‘if you’re offended get tf out.'”
He was met with mostly cheers when telling those offended to leave -- but you can still hear some people in the crowd clearly still upset.
She didn't capture his alleged use of the slurs on camera, but she eventually posted an update, clarifying they weren't allowed to record during O'Reilly's set -- a common regulation at comedy clubs.
She was so offended, though, when he used the n-word "casually" during the performance ... so, she snagged the quick clip and called him out online.
Carnival has responded to the incident ... saying the company doesn't tolerate what went down -- adding O'Reilly's been booted from all upcoming performances and is no longer welcome on Carnival cruise ships.
Rob has quite the resume, up to this point -- he's appeared on "Last Comic Standing," "America's Got Talent," and was even a correspondent for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
People online were applauding the TikToker for calling out O'Reilly -- some have even found old tweets of his ... mostly ones that joke around about race.
Originally Published -- 9/26 @ 8:25 AM