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It took less than a day for Twitter user's @chefboyohdear tweet of a troubling clip of Jimmy Fallon to go viral.
Back in 2000, while still a cast member on SNL, Fallon did an impression of fellow comedian and SNL alumnus Chris Rock... while in blackface.
Blackface, or a White person donning make up to resemble an African American person, has historically been used to mock Black people and is considered highly offensive.
The caption, "NBC fired Megyn Kelly for mentioning blackface. Jimmy Fallon performed on NBC in blackface", refers to a more recent controversy, when news anchor Megyn Kelly defended blackface to guests while on MSNBC.
Some people were disappointed in Fallon and SNL, causing the hashtag #jimmyfallonisoverparty to trend on Twitter.
Blackface has been known as insulting for decades now and Fallon and the SNL crew should have known better.
@chefboyohdear @Itscorriebtfw white people are EXHAUSTINGLY DISSAPOINTING https://t.co/1XxMI16Mh0— okay (@okay)1590473504.0
@chefboyohdear We should also look at the directors who made Jimmy Fallon do it? Who told him to act like that with… https://t.co/RDQUIr2yZT— John Dane (@John Dane)1590478138.0
However, a majority of the replies weren't so impressed by @chefboyohdear's attempt to cancel The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon host.
Cast members on SNL don't just walk on stage and do whatever they want. Writers create sketches and producers and directors approve them.
Ultimate responsibility on this goes far beyond Fallon who was just an SNL cast member 20 years ago.
@chefboyohdear People need to read this tweet and understand the difference between comedy skits for IMPERSONATION… https://t.co/6YTY31vckW— JohnFletcher (@JohnFletcher)1590521317.0
@chefboyohdear Y’all whack. How long ago was this? Was this snl? No one can be famous anymore bc we’ve all done som… https://t.co/sjjQUyboN3— Nancy (@Nancy)1590470382.0
So how are we gonna cancel jimmy fallon for doing blackface but not cancel Saturday night live for letting him do… https://t.co/VbZhepkKE4— nico🧂 (@nico🧂)1590493546.0
@Ciara_Byrne21/Twitter
The #jimmyfallonisoverparty hashtag was also hijacked by people who are fed up with the internet's "cancel culture".
I see that we are cancelling Jimmy Fallon for something he did 20 years ago. Retro Rage is nuts and we need to stop… https://t.co/oTetb0m48k— CHAD BENSON (@CHAD BENSON)1590532501.0
Is this for real?? IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO ON SNL!! Eddie Murphy played a Jewish guy with what I guess would be calle… https://t.co/qpVBr86ZoJ— Don'tBeAJagoff 😑 (@Don'tBeAJagoff 😑)1590532893.0
It didn't take long for Fallon to issue an apology on Twitter.
In 2000, while on SNL, I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface. There i… https://t.co/6k9alCsBq7— jimmy fallon (@jimmy fallon)1590526687.0
He called the decision to wear the blackface makeup "offensive" and inexcusable and thanked the public for calling him out for it.
Fans filled the replies with support.
@jimmyfallon Thank you for owning up to this—something many people refuse to do. Times change and so can people. Yo… https://t.co/HrIxmChwNn— krissy🍀 (@krissy🍀)1590526755.0
@jimmyfallon I'm gonna say this, it wasn't cool. Even back then it wasn't cool. What is important is growth. Owning… https://t.co/AIVZEU3mC6— Thirteen Cross (@Thirteen Cross)1590527004.0
@jimmyfallon It’s sad that a comedian that has done nothing but give back to his community has to apologize for a s… https://t.co/2NaM4TLlsU— Mike (@Mike)1590526845.0
@jimmyfallon Jimmy you didn't have to apologize. It's was just a skit. We all knew you were impersonating Chris Roc… https://t.co/UPt2Vap2Zh— Hoseok's Girl (@Hoseok's Girl)1590527046.0
@jimmyfallon @jkjohal64 20 years ago was brought up?? Shame on people! You are one of the kindest human beings out… https://t.co/apk5AqBi0x— qfalbon☘️☘️☘️ (@qfalbon☘️☘️☘️)1590528749.0
Fallon joins singers Lana Del Rey and Doja Cat in racism based controversy this week.
Del Rey is currently facing backlash for calling out female musicians of color in an attempt to defend her own music. Meanwhile, Doja Cat has been accused of participating in alt-right chatroom discussions and using racist lyrics.