The controversy surrounding Tom Hanks’s appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) during its 50th anniversary special caught many off guard, particularly with Republican viewers expressing frustration over his latest sketch. The performance revisited Hanks’s 2016 Black Jeopardy! character, Doug, a Donald Trump supporter who wore a MAGA hat. This sketch reignited arguments on social media about political humor and its boundaries.
Revisiting the Sketch
In the original “Black Jeopardy!” sketch, Doug, played by Hanks, awkwardly avoided shaking the hand of the host, Darnell Hayes (Kenan Thompson), and even jokingly suggested creating a spin-off called “White Jeopardy!” In the anniversary show, Hanks reprised this persona. When Doug answered a question correctly, Darnell offered a handshake, but Doug declined, saying “oh no no.” He then quipped about the idea of a “White Jeopardy!” version. This moment, though lighthearted, sparked the Tom Hanks SNL controversy, with some Republican viewers feeling targeted and offended.
Social Media Outrage
The sketch quickly led to outrage on social media, especially among conservative viewers, who accused Hanks of mocking them. One user claimed that the sketch was a thinly veiled jab at half the country, while another vowed to boycott Hanks’s films. Critics argued that referencing “White Jeopardy!” suggested that SNL was ridiculing a significant portion of the American population. However, many viewers saw it as a piece of political satire, which SNL is well-known for, particularly in its history of mocking current events.
The backlash highlights how sensitive political humor has become, and how comedy surrounding divisive topics can spark strong reactions. Despite the controversy, the sketch remains a prime example of how humor continues to engage with politics in a polarized environment.
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