During the Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) 50th anniversary special, Tom Hanks brought out his “Black Jeopardy!” sketch character, a Trump Supporter. In turn, media figures and conservative audiences were left offended, criticizing the portrayal as a negative representation of MAGA supporters.
The Return of Tom Hank’s “Doug” on SNL’s Milestone Episode
Tom Hanks donned a red “Make America Great Again” cap in the commemorative episode, wore an American flag t-shirt and embodied his best Southern accent. The sketch had Doug featured as a contestant on “Black Jeopardy!” Other characters were played by Eddie Murphy, Tracy Morgan and Leslie Jones.
What stood out was when Doug hesitated to shake hands with Darnell Hayes, the show’s host which was portrayed by Kenan Thompson. He eventually agreed, but the interaction was intended to bring awareness to the satirical racial and political divide. This didn’t go down well with audiences, being labeled as a negative stereotype.
Megyn Kelly’s Sharp Critique
Megyn Kelly, a prominent media personality was quick to voice her opinion. She took to her podcast, “The Megyn Kelly Show,” expressing how Tom Hanks had betrayed his fan base. “It was shocking to see somebody who tries so carefully not to be too divisive in his choices to come right out and suggest he thinks Trump supporters are racists. Shame on him.” She said.
Victoria Jackson’s Disapproval
SNL former cast member, Victoria Jackson heavily criticized the sketch. She described it as “stupid” and questioned where the comedic sketch was intended to head. “Did anyone make fun of the Kamala supporters?” She shared on social media, insisting that the show was politically biased. She also pointed out that the show was intended to target everyone but democrats which left her frustrated.
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Joy Behar’s Empathetic Perspective
Joy Behar of “The View” conversely offered a more understanding viewpoint of the conservative backlash. On the “Behind the Table” podcast, she recognized the unfairness where a large group of people were generalized, stating that “It isn’t fair.” She reminded her listeners that while SNL is reputed for it’s satire, it’s essentially important to also recognize the diversity even in political groups.
Social Media and Public Reactions
Many social media platforms were overflowing with a flurry of various reactions to the sketch. Even Trump supporters expressed their outrage, suggesting divisive propaganda by Tom Hanks and SNL. They insisted that the portrayal was “lazy” and “pathetic” and suggested that this was partially to blame for Hollywood’s reputation decline.
Defenders of the Sketch
There were equally individuals who defended the sketch, suggesting that the sketch unveiled some uncomfortable truths in the process. They contended that satire was intended as a reflection of societal issues, with negative reactions stemming from its accuracy. One netizen commented, “Tom Hanks’ skit was funny but felt so true that it made people uncomfortable, especially MAGA fans.”
Implications for SNL and Political Satire
It seems that this controversy has highlighted the challenge SNL faces when it comes to correctly navigating satire, especially in a polarized environment. Historically known for lampooning political figures and supporters, it’s truly hard to meet the criteria between humor and offense. It may be time for SNL to reconsider its approach to political comedy, better balancing satire and comedy.
Tom Hanks’ Silence Amidst the Controversy
Tom Hanks is yet to have stepped forward to respond to criticism, leaving room for interpretation. While some view it as an acknowledgment of the backlash, others see it as him hiding from the controversy instead. Regardless, the incident has fired up some serious backlash. Once again, putting celebrities in the epicenter of political discourse and their impact on public perception.
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