‘SNL’s’ Michael Che Receives Backlash After Comments On Street Harassment Video
This year on SNL,Michael Che was immediately welcomed with open arms into the co-anchor position for Weekend Update. Now, the comedian is receiving backlash after posting a rant disguised as a joke about the viral catcalling video that’s currently making the rounds on the internet.
In an Instagram post that’s now been deleted, Che posted a rant about the video, undermining its message and what it shows. In the original post, which was screencapped by mediaite, Che said:
“I wanna apologize to all the women that I’ve harrassed [sic] with statements like ‘Hi’ or ‘Have a nice day’ or ‘Youre [sic] beautiful’. I cant [sic] imagine what that must feel like. The closest thing I’ve experienced is maybe when a girl recognizes me from tv and they say things like, ‘Ahhhh! Oh my God! SNL SNL SNL!! Take a picture! Take a picture! I love you so much!! What’s your name again? Thank you! Thank you! Wait say something Funny [sic]!’ but even that is nothing like the harrassment [sic] of having a complete stranger tell me to smile.”
Michael Che’s sarcastic apology to women everywhere didn’t go over well with some people. Here’s a few reactions.
Ugh. Cecily Strong was replaced by Michael Che and he turns out to be a total a-hole. #SNL #streetharassment
— Andrea Reiher (@Zap2itAndrea) October 30, 2014
@CheThinks Pretty amazing: you trivialized women’s struggles AND came off as a pompous douche. Way to make it about you being “famous”
— Jessica Sportello (@girlcliches) October 29, 2014
a very disappointing look from michael che ? http://t.co/2pj8iMOctm #streetharassment
— Tracy Claytomb (@brokeymcpoverty) October 29, 2014
Is Michael Che dumb? He didn’t strike me as dumb before this. But this makes him sound dumb. http://t.co/PTBjcjcgnr
— Ben Zelevansky (@BenZelevansky) October 30, 2014
After receiving backlash, Michael decided to post a non-apology and turned it around on himself, and how he has a real struggle because he’s famous and needs to learn what that means when it comes to voicing out his opinions.
“I wanna [sic] apologize for my last apology. Sometimes I forget that I belong to all of you now, and that any thought I have should be filtered through you, and receive ur [sic] approval. Its tough, because im [sic] used to taking risks and finding humor in places of discomfort. but thats [sic] all over, cause [sic] i have a job on tv. and if i say the wrong thing youll [sic] see to it that its [sic] taken away. So the next time I have a silly thought, ill [sic] giggle to myself, keep my mouth shut & post a picture with my arm around a more famous person I met somewhere.”
Just for the record, the SNL cast member is still defending himself on Twitter.
@jazzmineabriana what did i say wrong again?
— Michael Che (@CheThinks) October 30, 2014
so u white celebrities are just gonna sit there and not say the nword?
— Michael Che (@CheThinks) October 30, 2014
Yikes.
[Image via NBC]
