Tom Hanks has long been considered one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors. With a career spanning decades and a reputation for portraying some of the most iconic and endearing characters, he has earned the title of “America’s Dad.” From his Oscar-winning performance in Forrest Gump to his gripping portrayal of Chuck Noland in Cast Away, Hanks has captivated audiences with his ability to bring depth and sincerity to every role.
But his most recent return to a familiar character has sparked a wave of controversy. During Saturday Night Live’s 50th-anniversary special, Hanks reprised his role as Doug, a red-hat-wearing conservative contestant on the recurring Black Jeopardy sketch. While some found the moment humorous, others saw it as divisive and tone-deaf. Let’s break down what happened and why people are so divided over it.
tom hanks returns to snl for a special appearance
The Saturday Night Live 50th-anniversary episode was an event filled with nostalgia, featuring appearances from a star-studded lineup of past and present cast members. Among the surprises was Tom Hanks, who joined Kenan Thompson’s recurring Black Jeopardy sketch, reviving his role as Doug from a widely praised 2016 skit.
Doug, a stereotypical working-class conservative, wears a red MAGA-style hat and brings a folksy, right-leaning perspective to the parody game show. The sketch, which pokes fun at both cultural and political divides, had originally been celebrated for finding common ground between seemingly opposing viewpoints. But this time, it hit a different nerve.
what happened in the black jeopardy sketch?
Kenan Thompson reprised his role as Darnell Hayes, the host of Black Jeopardy, a satirical version of Jeopardy! that humorously highlights cultural nuances in Black American life. Tom Hanks, once again playing Doug, found himself on the show alongside characters played by Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, and Eddie Murphy.
Doug, with his signature exaggerated Southern drawl, answered questions with stereotypical conservative talking points. One of his lines—“If more folks went to church, we wouldn’t be in this mess we’re in now”—prompted laughter from the audience as Hayes, played by Thompson, nodded in agreement.
But the moment that caused the biggest stir was Doug’s refusal to shake hands with the host. When Hayes extended his hand, Doug recoiled dramatically, saying, “Don’t like that, whoa, whoa, whoa.” Eventually, he hesitantly agreed to shake hands, but not before making an offhand remark about starting a “White Jeopardy” version of the game show.
why the backlash?
While Black Jeopardy has always walked a fine line between comedy and social commentary, many felt that this version of the sketch leaned too heavily into division rather than humor. Social media reactions poured in almost immediately, with some accusing the show of reinforcing racial stereotypes and others calling out Hanks specifically.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Tom Hanks just came out on the SNL 50th anniversary special in a MAGA hat, doing a skit, where he acted like he didn’t want to shake a Black man’s hand. This is why SNL is in the toilet.”
Another tweet read, “Tom Hanks is a racist for weaponizing racism. We’re sick of your racist agenda, Tom.”
Others defended the sketch, arguing that its satirical nature was misunderstood. A supporter of the show commented, “Black Jeopardy was always about showing that people from different backgrounds have more in common than they think. The whole point of the handshake bit was to highlight those differences in a funny way.”
revisiting the original doug sketch from 2016
Doug wasn’t a new character—Hanks first played him in a 2016 SNL sketch during the height of political tension following Donald Trump’s election campaign. In that skit, Doug’s unexpected similarities with Black culture were highlighted through his answers, which mirrored those of his Black co-contestants.
The character was widely praised at the time for subtly bridging racial and political divides rather than deepening them. Even SNL’s Kenan Thompson later praised Hanks’ ability to humanize the character, making him more relatable rather than playing him as a complete caricature.
tom hanks’ take on the controversy
While Hanks has not directly responded to the criticism, past interviews suggest that he is aware of the challenges of playing characters with opposing viewpoints. In a 2018 interview, Bryan Tucker, one of the writers of the original Black Jeopardy sketch, revealed that Oprah Winfrey even called Hanks after the first Doug sketch aired, impressed by its deeper message.
Kenan Thompson also acknowledged that Doug’s hesitation to shake hands was something Hanks ad-libbed in the original. Back then, it was seen as a spontaneous and humorous moment. This time, however, audiences perceived it differently, viewing it as reinforcing racial stereotypes rather than subverting them.
has snl lost its comedic touch?
They dragged out Tom Hanks on SNL to serve as the old, white, racist MAGA guy who didn’t want to shake a black man’s hand.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 17, 2025
Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/mDMGLi4uBi
For years, Saturday Night Live has been known for its sharp political satire, but in recent years, it has struggled to find the right balance between humor and commentary. Some critics argue that sketches like Black Jeopardy no longer feel like clever satire but instead lean into predictable stereotypes.
This latest controversy reignites the debate over whether SNL is still relevant in today’s political climate. The show’s ratings have fluctuated over the years, and moments like this leave audiences divided—some appreciating the attempt at humor, others feeling alienated.
the bigger picture: tom hanks and his reputation
Despite the backlash from the SNL sketch, Tom Hanks remains one of the most respected and beloved actors in Hollywood. His reputation as a kind-hearted, everyman figure has been carefully built over decades of heartfelt performances.
Hanks has previously stated that he takes pride in playing roles that inspire and unite people, rather than ones that provoke division. Given his long-standing efforts to promote inclusivity and kindness, it’s unlikely that he intended to offend anyone with his performance.
conclusion: was the outrage justified?
Tom Hanks’ return as Doug on SNL may not have landed the same way it did in 2016, but it has certainly sparked an important conversation about comedy, race, and political satire. Some believe the sketch was a lighthearted take on cultural differences, while others saw it as a misstep that played into stereotypes rather than challenging them.
Regardless of which side you’re on, one thing is clear—Hanks’ legacy as one of America’s most cherished actors remains intact. His body of work speaks for itself, and one controversial sketch isn’t likely to change that.
What do you think? Was the SNL sketch harmless fun or an offensive misfire? Let us know in the comments.
