Why did he go out of his way and apologize to Sharpton on SHARPTON'S radio show? Because his addiction to money and fame overpowered his supposed dedication to truth-telling.
The irony of it is, he thought that by groveling he would salvage his career.
He thought wrong. Race-baiters like Sharpton and Jackson don't play win-win.
"I have been in the entertainment business some forty-three years, and I have never said anything detrimental or anything that might be construed as belittling any race or religion. I would be a sucker to do so because you can't insult the customers."----W.C. Fields