MAD names Falwell 2001's 'dumbest'

SUMMARY: MAD Magazine named the Rev. Jerry Falwell the "dumbest person of 2001" for blaming the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on gays and lesbians.

MAD Magazine named the Rev. Jerry Falwell the "dumbest person of 2001" for blaming the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on gays and lesbians, feminists and other groups.

The distinction was part of MAD's year-end review of the 20 "dumbest people, events and things of 2001."

"We thought Falwell had reached his personal pinnacle of dumbness a few years ago when he accused the Teletubbies of promoting homosexuality," said MAD editor John Ficarra. "Give the guy credit, we underestimated him."

Falwell made the controversial statement during a Sept. 13 appearance on "The 700 Club" with televangelist Pat Robertson.

Regarding the attacks on New York and Washington, Falwell said: "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen.'"

The White House rebuked Falwell for his remarks, and he later apologized.

MAD's "dumb" list for 2001 also includes Anne Heche and Elton John's Grammy Awards duet with Eminem (news - web sites).