Jamie Foxx Defends Jimmy Fallon After ‘Saturday Night Live’ Blackface Backlash, Apology!

Yahoo.com, by Charles Trepany-USA TODAY, Posted June 2nd 2020

Jamie Foxx laid out a passionate Instagram defense for Jimmy Fallon after the late-night host issued an apology for a ‘Saturday Night Live’ sketch performed in blackface makeup from two decades ago.

“Bro you ain’t got to apologize for (expletive),” Foxx wrote in the comments below Fallon’s Instagram apology for the ‘SNL’ skit from 2000. In the clip, which made the rounds Monday on Twitter, Fallon appears in dark face paint while impersonating comedian Chris Rock.

“You are a comedian… and a great one at that,” Foxx wrote. “You did an incredible impersonation of Chris Rock… It was not black face.”

Foxx referenced his tenure on the Fox sketch comedy program “In Living Color” where “we did characters from every race.”

“You are all the way good,” wrote Foxx. “Keep doing you my friend! You are necessary!!”

In another comment Foxx continued, “Some of y’all didn’t even see the sketch… relax and laugh! It’s Other (expletive) out here that really don’t care bout ya… use that energy for them!!! But leave my mans alone.”

Fallon apologized for the decades-old appearance last week.

“In 2000, while on SNL, I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface,” the comedian, 45, wrote on Twitter. “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.”

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives of “SNL” for comment. A rep for Fallon told USA TODAY the comedian has no further comment at this time.

Using the hashtag #jimmyfallonisoverparty, many Twitter users called to cancel the comedian, while others defended him.

“I’m gonna say this, it wasn’t cool,” user @ThirteenCross wrote in response to Fallon’s apology. “Even back then it wasn’t cool. What is important is growth. Owning up to the mistakes, learning from them, and not just moving on but using it as a chance to teach others. We love you, but you’re right. There is no excuse.”

“why is impersonating black ppl so funny back in the day I hate it here,” wrote @hiboiki.

“Jimmy Fallon is finally being cancelled!” wrote @aotdts. “That’s what happens when your the unfunniest person on the planet! #JimmyFallonIsOverParty.”

Other users, however, said they did not see an issue with the resurfaced clip.

“I’m African-American,” wrote @mnl1221. “Jimmy Fallon isn’t doing ‘blackface’; he’s doing Chris Rock. I think it’s time to end the idea that no White person can dress up as a Black person ever. Fallon is doing a spot-on impression of a SPECIFIC PERSON, not spoofing an entire race.”

“This #jimmyfallonisoverparty is dumb as hell,” wrote actor Marlon Wayans. “@jimmyfallon is truly one of the nicest guys I’ve known in our industry. Y’all stop digging up old (expletive).”