30 Rock star and comedian Tracy Morgan said that being gay is a “choice” during a raunchy performance Friday night at Carnegie Hall in New York City that promptly emptied seats.



His statement about sexual orientation was part of a lewd routine that included jokes about a potential sex tape between President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, according to the Gatecrasher blog of the New York Daily News.



“People seemed to not be laughing at his jokes, but more because they were shocked and appalled with what was coming out of his mouth,” one witness told the blog. “Morgan talked trash about homosexuality (saying it’s ‘a choice,’ which drew gasps), drugs, pornography and what he calls ‘politricks’ -- far edgier subjects than what his alter ego, Jordan, gets air time for.”



The performance drew a standing ovation from Spike Lee, John Singleton, and 30 Rock costar Jane Krakowski, according to Gatecrasher.

