PEOPLE

ABC briefly considered putting its “Chicken Soup” star Jackie Mason on its “PrimeTime Live” news program Thursday night to discuss his controversial comments regarding the mayoral race in New York, but ultimately rejected the idea, network officials said. Mason, whose comedy centers on Jewish themes, was roundly criticized by Jewish organizations and other groups after he was quoted in the Village Voice saying that mayoral candidate David N. Dinkins “looks like a black model without a job” and suggested that Jews vote for blacks out of guilt. ABC officials had no comment about Mason’s remarks or about how it may affect his new sitcom. “Chicken Soup” executive producer Saul Turteltaub said he had no idea whether the comments would hurt the show, saying, “It’s up to the viewers.”