Katt Williams heckles audience member, insults Mexicans

On a sliding scale of Chappelle to Richards, where does Katt Williams stand? The fiery funnyman has become the latest in a string of comedians to make headlines for combative onstage antics. At a performance in Phoenix on Saturday, Williams fought back against a heckler, who was of Mexican descent, by launching into an aggressive diatribe. Shouting “USA! USA!” sporadically, Williams asked the heckler, “Do you remember when white people used to say go back to Africa? And we’d have to tell them we don’t want to? So if you love Mexico, b—-, get the f—over there!” He then began singing the “Star Spangled Banner” before saying, “It’s not even racial — you’re a b—! I don’t give a f— what race that is, that [guy]’s a p—-.” At the time of this posting, Williams’ representation was unable to comment on the incident. See the rest of Williams’ comments in the NFSW video after the jump. UPDATE: Williams has spoken out about the incident: “My remarks were not meant to be offensive,” he said. “I want to apologize if my comedy act was taken out of context.” He added, “I sincerely appreciate my fans within the Mexican community and would never intentionally go out of my way to offend them.”

What do you think, Popwatchers? Has comedy reached a tipping point of late? When does comedy cross the line in respect to race and ethnicity? Do you think Williams needs to apologize for his remarks?

Aziz Ansari has tense moment with audience member during club set

Again? Tracy Morgan under fire for ‘retarded’ jokes

Tracy Morgan apologizes to Nashville audience for homophobic tirade

Michael Richards’ racist rant: Career-killer or career-reviver?