Celebs Who Lost Followers After Defending Old Racist Comedy Sketches

Entertainment is always changing, and people are increasingly questioning older comedy routines and their effect on today’s society. Several celebrities have faced criticism for supporting comedy sketches that are now considered racially insensitive. While some argue that artistic expression should be protected, others believe that harmful jokes and images should be retired. This disagreement frequently leads to a loss of public support and a drop in social media engagement for those involved. The following people experienced this decline after defending or downplaying problematic comedic content.

Tina Fey

The actress and writer received significant criticism after episodes of ’30 Rock’ featuring blackface were brought to light. She originally explained these scenes as satire meant to critique the entertainment industry’s lack of diversity. However, many viewers were disappointed it took her a while to address the pain these images caused. Ultimately, she asked for four episodes to be removed from streaming services in an attempt to lessen the impact. This situation led to a decline in her social media activity and the number of people following her.

Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon received strong criticism when an old ‘Saturday Night Live’ sketch resurfaced, showing him impersonating Chris Rock while wearing blackface. He didn’t immediately respond, leading to a social media campaign calling for his removal from television. When he finally spoke about it, he explained the sketch was created during a different time in television history. However, many younger fans felt this wasn’t enough and wanted a quicker apology. During the peak of the controversy, Fallon lost a large number of followers on social media.

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman has often talked about a time she used blackface in a 2007 episode of her show, ‘The Sarah Silverman Program.’ At first, she explained that the sketch was meant to be satire, intending to expose the ridiculousness of racism through a character who didn’t understand it. However, many viewers found the imagery itself deeply offensive, even if it was meant to be a joke. Silverman has since said she regrets her actions and understands why people were upset. When she initially defended the sketch, she saw a noticeable drop in support on social media.

Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel faced criticism for his past impersonations of Karl Malone on ‘The Man Show,’ which involved using dark makeup. He originally said the performances were meant as harmless tributes, not offensive parodies. However, many fans disagreed, pointing out that blackface is never okay, even in comedy. Kimmel later formally apologized for taking so long to acknowledge the pain he caused. His initial defense of the old segments led to a noticeable drop in his followers on social media.

Howard Stern

As a long-time fan, I was really disappointed when old video clips surfaced of the radio host doing blackface and using racist language. His first reaction was to say it was just meant to be shocking or push boundaries, which didn’t sit well with a lot of us – both longtime listeners and new fans. People were upset he didn’t immediately denounce the material. He eventually did admit he was a different person back then when those sketches were made, but the whole thing caused a lot of people to unfollow him on social media for a while. It was a tough situation to watch unfold, honestly.

Robert Downey Jr.

The actor has repeatedly explained his decision to play a character who darkened his skin in the movie ‘Tropic Thunder.’ He maintains the film was a parody of actors who take their roles too seriously, and wasn’t meant to be racially insensitive. However, many viewers today feel his explanations miss the mark. Every time he defends the role, it reignites online debate and often leads to a decrease in his social media followers as people reconsider the film.

Bill Maher

Bill Maher is known for strongly supporting comedians’ freedom to make controversial jokes, even those considered offensive, on his show ‘Real Time.’ He often argues that comedians shouldn’t have to apologize for pushing boundaries or addressing difficult topics like race. However, this viewpoint has upset some viewers who feel he goes too far and is insensitive. As a result, many people have stopped following him on social media, citing his dismissive attitude towards concerns about racial humor. Despite losing some followers, Maher continues to stand by his beliefs.

Jerry Seinfeld

As a lifelong comedy fan, I’ve been following the recent controversy surrounding a truly iconic comedian. He’s been pretty vocal about how he feels political correctness is stifling comedy today, saying older styles just aren’t landing now. But a lot of younger viewers took his comments the wrong way, seeing it as him defending jokes that rely on harmful stereotypes. That led to a big backlash online, with a lot of people unfollowing him because they value inclusivity. He’s still a huge name, of course, but it’s clear his words have cost him a portion of his online following – it’s a really interesting moment for comedy and how we talk about it.

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais strongly believes comedians should be able to joke about anything, even if it upsets some people. He’s repeatedly defended jokes in his show ‘The Office’ and his stand-up routines that have been criticized for how they handle sensitive topics like race. When he firmly stands by these jokes, it often causes a strong divide online – while he keeps a dedicated fanbase, he also loses many followers. Gervais usually sees these follower losses as a result of people being overly sensitive.

Shane Gillis

Shane Gillis experienced a swift rise and fall at ‘Saturday Night Live.’ He was hired, but quickly let go after videos emerged showing him using racist language. While he initially claimed the language was part of his edgy comedic style, the network and many viewers found it unacceptable. The situation caused a huge public reaction, with his social media followers rapidly increasing and decreasing as people debated the issue. Although Gillis has since gained a new fanbase, he lost a considerable number of mainstream followers due to the initial controversy.

Matt Lucas

Matt Lucas, co-creator of ‘Little Britain,’ received considerable criticism for the show’s use of blackface and stereotypical depictions of race. He originally tried to justify these sketches by saying they mirrored the attitudes of the time and were intended as comedic characters. But as streaming platforms removed the show, this explanation became less well-received. Lucas later admitted he regretted portraying those characters. However, his initial defense of the sketches led many fans to stop following him on social media.

David Walliams

I remember when David Walliams and Matt Lucas were first making ‘Little Britain.’ They both had to deal with a lot of criticism about some of the show’s jokes. At the time, Walliams explained they were going for a really over-the-top, surreal style and that it wasn’t meant to be hurtful to anyone. But things changed quickly, and a lot of people started to feel the characters relied too much on stereotypes and weren’t funny anymore. We started unfollowing him because it felt like he didn’t understand how things had changed. Eventually, both he and Lucas apologized after the show was taken off streaming services and television.

Leigh Francis

The comedian behind ‘Bo’ Selecta!’ recently faced criticism for his depictions of celebrities, which involved using exaggerated masks and makeup. He originally claimed the sketches were just lighthearted satire of celebrity culture. However, after several of the celebrities he imitated spoke up about the racially insensitive nature of the portrayals, he publicly apologized. Before issuing the apology, his attempts to defend the show led many fans to unfollow him. This controversy continues to be a significant issue in his career.

John Cleese

John Cleese, known for his work with Monty Python, has strongly defended older comedy shows, even those containing material now considered racially insensitive. He publicly disagreed with a streaming service’s decision to briefly remove an episode of ‘Fawlty Towers’ because of its language, explaining that the show satirized prejudiced characters, not the victims of prejudice. This position sparked disagreements online, particularly with younger comedy fans, and many stopped following him because of his views on content moderation.

Terry Gilliam

Terry Gilliam, like his former Monty Python partner John Cleese, has often spoken up for the provocative humor in their early work. He often expresses regret that audiences seem less able to grasp irony and satire these days. Critics often see these comments as defending jokes that were hurtful to certain groups. Because he doesn’t seem concerned with current social issues, Gilliam has been losing followers, particularly among younger people. Despite the criticism, Gilliam continues to believe that offensive humor is a necessary part of a free society and doesn’t apologize for his views.

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr’s career suffered a major setback following controversial posts and her attempts to justify past jokes. She claimed her comedy was meant to be provocative and shouldn’t be seen as actually racist, but this didn’t prevent the cancellation of her revived show, ‘Roseanne.’ The controversy led to a significant loss of fans, and Barr has since moved to other platforms to continue defending her work and comedic style.

Sharon Osbourne

Sharon Osbourne faced significant backlash after publicly supporting Piers Morgan’s statements about Meghan Markle. The resulting conversation on ‘The Talk’ brought attention to instances where she had previously defended jokes and actions considered racially insensitive. Her initial response was seen by many viewers as defensive and disrespectful, ultimately leading to her leaving the show and losing a large number of followers online. Osbourne later stated she believed she was targeted in a deliberate effort to silence her views.

Piers Morgan

Morgan often speaks out to defend comedians and sketches that some people find racist or offensive. He usually argues that defending them is about protecting free speech from what he sees as increasing censorship. His strong support for controversial personalities frequently leads to many people unfollowing him on platforms like X. However, Morgan continues to share his views, even though it means losing followers, believing it’s worth it to express what he believes is the truth and challenge what he calls ‘woke’ culture.

Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon received strong criticism after making questionable statements on a podcast about race and religion. He initially argued that his comments were about exploring history and society, not expressing prejudice. However, this explanation was quickly rejected by his colleagues and many fans, leading to a loss of followers and a temporary removal from his hosting job on ‘Wild ‘n Out’. Cannon then worked to repair his image through public apologies and a commitment to learning more about these issues.

Kevin Hart

Okay, so it was a whole thing with Kevin Hart. Some older stand-up bits resurfaced, and honestly, they didn’t age well. He initially dug in his heels, saying he’d already talked about it and wasn’t going to apologize again. That caused a huge uproar, and he ended up stepping down from hosting the Oscars because of the backlash. A lot of people were upset he didn’t seem to get why those jokes were problematic now. He eventually did apologize, but for a while there, his social media following definitely took a hit while he was defending the old material. It was a tough situation, and a good reminder that what’s funny changes over time.

Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle has repeatedly faced backlash for jokes and sketches, both in his recent stand-up specials and on his older show, ‘Chappelle’s Show,’ that some people consider offensive. He’s consistently argued that his comedy is artistic expression and shouldn’t be judged by today’s standards. This stance has deeply divided his audience, leading to frequent calls for boycotts, and each new special often results in fans unfollowing him on social media. Despite these ongoing controversies, Chappelle remains a highly popular comedian.

Joe Rogan

The podcast host has repeatedly defended controversial comedy bits and has been criticized for using language considered racially insensitive. He claims his words are often taken out of context and that he doesn’t intend to cause harm. When a video highlighting these past comments became widely shared, he received strong criticism from both fans and other public figures, leading to a temporary drop in his social media following. While he responded to the criticism, he maintained his belief that comedy should allow for open and honest conversation, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Seth Rogen

Look, as a big fan of Seth Rogen’s older stuff like ‘Superbad’ and ‘Pineapple Express’, I get why some of those jokes feel…dated now. He initially stood by those films, saying they were made for a different time, which didn’t really sit well with everyone. It felt like he wasn’t fully acknowledging the issues. As he started making more socially aware projects, I noticed his fanbase shifted a bit. He’s still super popular, but it seems like he lost some of the fans who just loved his early, raunchy comedies along the way. It’s a tricky balance, you know?

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin is known for sticking up for himself and other comedians when they say something controversial. He believes what a performer means is more important than how people react to it, which often leads to disagreements online. He’s faced criticism, and even lost followers, for defending older jokes from his time on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Usually, when this happens, Baldwin temporarily disables his social media accounts.

Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer received significant backlash when old stand-up routines containing jokes about different racial groups resurfaced. She originally explained the jokes by saying she was performing as a deliberately ignorant white woman, but many critics felt this didn’t excuse the offensive content and that the satire wasn’t obvious enough. This led to a drop in her social media following and a lot of negative media attention. Schumer has since changed her comedic approach and apologized for the earlier jokes.

Chelsea Handler

Chelsea Handler became known for a comedic style that sometimes relied on racial stereotypes and edgy sketches during her time on ‘Chelsea Lately’. She used to argue that her humor was fair because she made fun of everyone. However, as she became more involved in politics, she started to reconsider her earlier work and the reasons she’d given to defend it. This change in approach caused some of her longtime fans, who enjoyed her older comedy, to stop watching. Handler has talked honestly about both losing fans and attracting new ones as her views changed over time.

Michael Richards

I remember when news broke about Richards’s use of racial slurs back in 2006. He tried to explain it away as a bad attempt at pushing the boundaries with his comedy, but honestly, almost everyone saw right through that. It really derailed his career for years. Even now, whenever he tries to make a comeback, it’s clear that incident still haunts him – he struggles to gain much of a following online. And if I’m being honest, a lot of us who do follow him now are keeping a close watch on him, always mindful of what happened.

Julianne Hough

After wearing blackface as part of a Halloween costume, Hough received strong criticism on social media. She initially explained her intention was to playfully honor a character, not to cause harm, but many people were upset by what they saw as a lack of understanding about the history of blackface. The resulting public anger led to a significant loss of followers, and she had to apologize repeatedly to try and fix the damage to her reputation. Since then, she’s been very cautious about her choices when it comes to costumes and comedy.

Luann de Lesseps

A reality TV star from ‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ received significant criticism for a costume that many people considered to be blackface. She first explained that the look was meant to honor Diana Ross and said she didn’t intend to cause offense. However, fans quickly criticized the makeup, and her explanation only made the situation worse. During the season the episode aired, she experienced a surge of negative comments and lost followers on social media. Ultimately, she apologized for the costume after understanding how upset people were.

Megyn Kelly

Kelly’s time at NBC ended after she spoke in defense of blackface as part of historical or comedic costumes. She explained that it was more accepted when she was growing up and felt it shouldn’t be a big problem now. This caused immediate criticism from both within and outside the network, ultimately leading to her show being cancelled. As a result, she lost many followers on social media and moved from mainstream media to independent platforms.

Adam Carolla

Adam Carolla continues to stand by the comedic style he developed on ‘The Man Show,’ even though some of its jokes are now considered offensive. He believes the show was simply meant to be lighthearted fun and that people today are too easily offended. While this unwavering defense has gained him a dedicated podcast audience, it’s also caused him to lose some mainstream fans. He often notices a drop in followers on social media after defending his older work, but he sees this as a natural way to connect with those who appreciate his humor.

Norm Macdonald

As a huge comedy fan, I always admired this comedian for having the courage of his convictions. He consistently stood up for his fellow comedians, even when people were digging up old material and claiming it was racist. It took guts, because every time he did that, he would become the target of online outrage. He was well-loved in the industry, but those moments always caused a temporary dip in his social media following. What impressed me most was that he never backed down, even when facing intense pressure online. He just stuck to what he believed in.

Sacha Baron Cohen

Sacha Baron Cohen has often explained the controversial characters in his comedy, like Ali G and Borat, saying they’re meant to reveal prejudice in others, not to make fun of entire groups of people. While many understand he’s using satire, some viewers find his methods offensive. This has caused ongoing debate and, at times, led to him losing fans who feel his humor hasn’t aged well. Despite the criticism, he still uses these characters and sometimes addresses the controversy surrounding them.

Justin Trudeau

Justin Trudeau, known as a politician, faced considerable criticism when photos and videos emerged showing him wearing blackface in the past. He initially explained these instances as errors in judgment, stating he hadn’t fully understood how harmful the actions were at the time. This sparked a worldwide discussion about race and sensitivity, particularly for those in leadership positions and the entertainment industry. The images led to a noticeable decrease in international support on his social media platforms. Since then, Trudeau has publicly apologized for his past behavior on multiple occasions.

Todd Phillips

The director of ‘The Hangover’ recently explained he’s moved away from making comedies because of what he sees as an overly sensitive social climate – what some call “woke culture.” He said he believes it’s now too easy to unintentionally offend people with humor, and defended his past work. These comments received a lot of criticism, with many arguing that comedy can still be funny and inclusive. As a result, he lost some followers on social media, particularly among fans of his earlier comedies. Since then, Phillips has been focusing on more serious films like ‘Joker,’ which have also sparked debate among audiences.

Share your thoughts on how celebrities should handle their past comedic work in the comments.

2026-01-05 05:19