SNL50: The Anniversary Particular, which aired as a part of the 2025 TV schedule final Sunday, drew appreciable consideration for its star-studded sketches. It additionally stirred up a little bit of controversy resulting from its Black Jeopardy! sketch. This particular iteration of the recurring skit, which featured sequence vets like Eddie Murphy and Leslie Jones, additionally noticed Tom Hanks reprise his function as a MAGA supporter named Doug. Saturday Evening Reside alum Victoria Jackson took situation with the sketch, however she’s now offering some readability on the matter.
What Was The Sketch About And What Did Victoria Jackson Initially Say?
Black Jeopardy! has been a recurring sketch for a while now and sees long-serving SNL solid member Kenan Thompson play the function of host Darnell Hayes. Primarily based on the true recreation hosted by Alex Trebek (who appreciated the segments), it sees contestants competing whereas answering trivia associated to Black tradition. Through the anniversary sketch, Tom Hanks’ Doug answered a query appropriately, earlier than sharing a thought of church. And, when Darnell agreed and went to shake his hand, Doug appeared hesitant to just accept.
Victoria Jackson, who was a Saturday Evening Reside solid member from 1986 to 1992, attended the anniversary particular and was conscious of the section. TMZ ultimately obtained in contact along with her, and she or he in the end referred to the sketch as “silly.” She additionally referred to an X publish from Hyperlink Lauren, who chastised the comedy bit for furthering the notion that supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Make America Nice motion are racists.
As beforehand alluded to, this wasn’t the primary time Tom Hanks performed Doug. He did so throughout a 2016 sketch, which is now one of many prime SNL clips on YouTube. In that section, the seemingly awkward Doug manages to reply questions skillfully and discover widespread floor along with his Black friends. As with the most recent sketch, there’s additionally a second through which he almost misses a handshake with Darnell. Some think about Doug to be one in every of Hanks’ greatest characters and, after this latest efficiency, it’s been mentioned that Victoria Jackson “slammed” Hanks.
The Strip Mall alum took to Instagram to share a video, through which she tried to clear the air. She started the video by questioning whether or not the saying “all publicity is sweet publicity” really rings true. After that, she went on to handle Tom Hanks – who she apparently exchanged pleasantries with at SNL50 – immediately:
Apparently, I slammed Tom Hanks. Tom, I’m sorry if I slammed you. I didn’t slam you.
Victoria Jackson then referred on to the article from TMZ, earlier than recalling {that a} publicist pal of hers reached out to ask for an announcement on the Black Jeopardy! sketch. Whereas Jackson initially couldn’t keep in mind it, her pal despatched her an article detailing the section and the handshake second. As soon as she remembered, she referred to the second as “horrible” and recalled the viewers not laughing. After clarifying that she solely agreed with Hyperlink Lauren and added that the skit was “disgusting,” she mentioned this as properly:
You understand, MAGA supporters help a safer America… We love everyone.
The comic went on to say that she additionally took situation with a number of the sexual vulgarity featured within the present. You possibly can take a look at her full response within the video under:
All in all, it will appear that Victoria Jackson needs to make it clear that whereas she didn’t agree with the sketch, she didn’t attend to slam Tom Hanks. In terms of Black Jeopardy! itself, it’s realistically seemingly that the section will return in some unspecified time in the future, given its recognition. As for whether or not Hanks will reprise Doug, that is still to be seen.
Within the meantime, know that Saturday Evening Reside will return to NBC with a brand new episode on March 1 at 11:30 p.m. ET, with the host and musical visitor being Shane Gillis and Tate McRae, respectively. You can too stream episodes utilizing a Peacock subscription.