What did he just say? Michael Che dropped the N-word during the Saturday, October 1, season premiere of Saturday Night Live, and fans were quick to pick up on the controversial moment.
Che, 33, and Weekend Update cohost Colin Jost were discussing San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest of the national anthem when things got a little heated.
“I don’t understand this. If the national anthem was so important, how would they know somebody was kneeling?” Che kicked off his train of thought, referring to Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner.” “How would they know this? That’s how boring the national anthem is. Halfway through it, you’re looking around wondering what the backup quarterback of the 49ers is up to.”
Che added that it’s mostly “white guys” who have displayed outrage at the athlete’s protest, calling him unpatriotic and ungrateful for what the anthem stands for.
“I can understand why white guys love the national anthem so much. Because this country’s always been great for white guys. You absolutely should defend the national anthem. If I was white I’d always defend the national anthem,” he continued. “I expect white guys to defend the national anthem like I expected Phylicia Rashad to defend Bill Cosby. I’m sure when people were protesting the Cosby Show, I’m sure Clair Huxtable was like, ‘I don’t know what he did to y’all, but n—- made me rich!’ “
Jost, 34, was visibly shocked by the comment, but the pair continued on with the rest of the Weekend Update segment. Meanwhile, fans reacted on social media.
So can #michaelche be fired yet? Not funny. Dropping F bombs an awkward joke about shooting a child…… #notfunny #SNLPremiere @SNLUpdate
— Jake C (@Jakestaaaa) October 2, 2016
Did Michael Che say the N word???? #SNLPremiere #SNL
— Chenese Lewis (@CheneseLewis) October 2, 2016
Michael Che definitely just dropped the N-word on #SNL and defended Kaepernick. Guess this is his last show. Nice knowing u bro!! Lol
— Celeste Ball (@CelesteMidwest) October 2, 2016
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