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Texas humorist Kinky Friedman on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" on Wednesday. (Screen capture)

We're sorry. What the hell were we thinking?

That's what ESPN told viewers Wednesday after Texas country singer, songwriter and humorist Kinky Friedman, booked to talk about the bromance between New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, called it "the most important, latent homosexual relationship since Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.”

When host Bob Ley said, "You don't really mean that, obviously," Friedman backpedaled by saying, "They both desperately want to be loved ... and I agree that being in the owners' box is not the way."

Friedman was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election for Texas governor, and he received 12.6 percent of the vote, placing fourth in the six-person race.

Here's video of the moment:

Kinky Friedman on OTL

After the segment — which included Star-Ledger columnist Paul Mulshine — ended, host Bob Ley apologized to the audience for Friedman's comments.

Mulshine was critical of the optics of Christie hanging with a billionaire.

“It was really bad for his everyman image,” Mulshine said.

Mulshine was asked if this helps Christie presidential ambitions.

“Absolutely not,” Mulshine said. "He needs to launch his presidential bid this month,” because attention like this is the “last thing he needs.”

As expected, Friedman's remarks set off a Twitter firestorm:

Kinky Friedman just called Chris Christie a "thin sock wearing son of a bitch" while smoking a cigar live on ESPN #SavageLife — Erv (@ThisIsERV) January 7, 2015

Wait, ESPN let Kinky Friedman on a show?!!?!?! THE KINKY FRIEDMAN?!?!?! Oh dear God... — The Tethered Black Gambit (@Cybersoulja) January 7, 2015

Who at @ESPN was in charge of booking Kinky Friedman? I want to meet that person. — JBM (@B_Spotless) January 7, 2015

Watching ESPN's Bob Ley interview Kinky Friedman about Chris Christie and the Cowboys was awkward and hilarious. — Benjamin Kruse (@BenjaminKruse) January 7, 2015

Chris Christie at Dallas Cowboys games

10 photos of Chris Christie at Cowboys games 11 Gallery: 10 photos of Chris Christie at Cowboys games

Kevin Manahan may be reached at kmanahan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinCManahan. Find NJ.com on Facebook.