Jimmy Fallon apologizes after his footage surfaced in full blackface on Saturday Night Live in 2000. He posted an apology this afternoon after furious fans called for him to be canceled because of the sketch. Fans demand NBC to fire Jimmy Fallon. Along with that, he posted a statement on Twitter addressing the blackface incident; he played Chris Rock on Regis Philbin’s late-night show.
Jimmy Fallon’s statement goes somewhat like this :
“In 2000, while on SNL, I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface,” he wrote. “There is no excuse for this. I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable.”
What did the fans have to say to Jimmy Fallon’s apology?
However, some fans were quick to defend him right after he posted his apology. They argued that the sketch was not his fault, if so not entirely.
“It’s sad that a comedian that has done nothing but give back to his community has to apologize for a skit that was written by someone else 20 years ago,” one fan wrote, supportingly.
“Jeez man it was all meant as a joke in good humor,” another added. “He didn’t do it because he thought it would be funny. A good-hearted joke. People who get offended all the time usually choose to be offended. Wow, this world needs more humor. He wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. Give him a break.”
What was Jimmy Fallon’s sketch all about? What’s it current status?
Now the sketch in question featured Fallon in blackface impersonating Chris Rock on Regis Philbin’s late-night show. He has been doing his Rock impression several number of times over the years, such as on Howard Stern’s radio show.
Though there is no legitimate clip of this particular segment available, with NBC having wiped it clean from the SNL site. Still bootlegs are floating about on Youtube and Twitter.
Where Jimmy Fallon went wrong?
During Fallon’s sixth year on SNL, blackface sketch had aired. Almost in a bit, Fallon ( in character as Rock) says there are “not a lot of black folks” on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire because “black folks don’t want to answer questions”. He then asks Hammond, ” Regis, fo you think the only way to get a brother on the show is to name it, Who Wants $50 Cash and a Pair of Pumas?”
Thus the footage of the sketch has since been removed from the internet by NBC. Though it still exists on Youtube.