By apologizing publicly, Grant has taught celebrities facing scandals in the future a lesson in how to defuse a crisis.

CNN: Hugh Grant: Catch the act

While it is certainly a good thing that Morgan has started to take responsibility for the offensive content of his routine by apologizing publicly to his fans and the gay community, he must do more to balance the harm that his words have inflicted.

CNN: Tracy Morgan should meet victims of anti-gay violence

He famously delayed apologizing for the iPhone 4 antenna by deploying defensiveness, scorn and even blame -- resulting in the enduring "You're holding it wrong" meme, a testimony of Apple hubris if there ever was one.

ENGADGET: Editorial: A conciliatory Apple would be real innovation

"This was so egregious that I couldn't let it go by, " Mr. Gilbert told the audience, apologizing.

WSJ: New York Philharmonic Halted by iPhone During Mahler's Ninth Symphony

Is President Obama apologizing to the families that are visiting with him now, apologizing for the ways in which the government, run by him, failed them?

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

By quickly acknowledging the issue (without a lot of marketing speak), apologizing and attempting to make things right, Instagram performed triage.

FORBES: Can The Instagram Brand Recover?

The 29-year-old fired teacher wrote the vice principal an e-mail later in the day apologizing for his actions and was "sorry for all the damages that could have been caused by the video, " Nahas said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS