Tom Hanks, one of America’s most celebrated actors, returned to Saturday Night Live (SNL) for the show’s landmark 50th anniversary special, which aired as a three-hour prime-time event. Known for his diverse and acclaimed filmography, Hanks made a memorable appearance in a revival of the Black Jeopardy! sketch, portraying the character “Doug,” a conservative white contestant from a previous installment of the skit.
This appearance has sparked a mix of praise and criticism online, particularly due to the character’s attire and dialogue. This article reviews the sketch in context, the public reaction, and the origins of the character—all based on verified sources such as NBC (Saturday Night Live), Vulture, and reputable media interviews.
What Was the Sketch About?
In the special aired on NBC, Tom Hanks reprised the character of Doug, a conservative Midwestern white man who first appeared in an October 2016 sketch titled Black Jeopardy. The segment parodies the classic Jeopardy! game show format but with questions and answers focused on African-American culture and experiences.
Doug, wearing a red baseball cap, returns in this rebooted version of the sketch, hosted by longtime SNL cast member Kenan Thompson as Darnell Hayes. Also appearing were comedy veterans Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, and Eddie Murphy, adding star power to the nostalgic moment.
The original Black Jeopardy sketch in 2016 was written by then-co-head writers Bryan Tucker and Michael Che, and gained significant attention for its surprising twist: despite Doug’s stereotypically conservative appearance, he answered most questions correctly and found common ground with the Black contestants, subverting expectations.
In a 2018 interview with Vulture, Tucker explained that the sketch was designed to show shared social perspectives between people who might otherwise seem divided politically or culturally. Kenan Thompson also noted that Hanks’ performance brought empathy to the role, remarking that “him playing a character that was so far on the other side of the aisle, it was super-bold.”
Why Was There Online Reaction?
Following the SNL 50th special, some social media users shared concerns about the optics of the sketch—particularly a moment when Doug recoiled from a handshake offered by the host. While intended as a callback to the original 2016 skit, this brief gesture was interpreted differently by some viewers.
It’s important to note that the original sketch, as well as the anniversary reprise, are satirical and scripted comedy performances. The Black Jeopardy series is known for using humor to highlight social and political contrasts, not to promote any specific ideology.
Despite this context, some viewers expressed discomfort with the portrayal. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) referenced the red hat Doug wore—often associated with the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) slogan—and questioned the appropriateness of the character’s behavior.
However, it should be emphasized that neither Tom Hanks nor NBC made any public political statements regarding the sketch. According to NBC.com and Vulture, the sketch was developed as part of a broader effort to reflect the diversity and complexity of American viewpoints through comedy.
Industry Reactions and Creative Intent
The Black Jeopardy sketches have consistently received praise for their writing and performances. Media coverage of the original 2016 skit highlighted its nuanced take on race, class, and shared experiences. In the same Vulture interview, Bryan Tucker mentioned that even Oprah Winfrey had contacted Hanks after the original aired, showing its broad cultural reach.
The 2024 version remained largely faithful to the original concept, with Doug’s conservative views clashing and aligning with other characters in unexpected ways. As in 2016, Hanks improvised parts of the performance. The handshake hesitation, for example, was not scripted but added spontaneously by Hanks, according to Thompson and Tucker. “It was the most natural ad-lib I’ve ever done,” Thompson recalled.
The intent, according to the writers, was to use comedy as a bridge rather than a wedge—emphasizing the idea that people from different backgrounds can find commonality, even amid ideological divides.
Tom Hanks’ Relationship with SNL
Tom Hanks has been a guest host and performer on Saturday Night Live multiple times. His character Doug is one of his most popular appearances, largely due to the unexpected social commentary embedded in the Black Jeopardy segment.
Beyond SNL, Hanks has maintained a reputation for thoughtfulness and inclusivity throughout his career. He has played characters ranging from the earnest Forrest Gump to real-life heroes like Captain Richard Phillips and Fred Rogers. Hanks has also been honored with multiple awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/joy-behar-tom-hanks-SNL-021925-0e39d49aa743407f96b5017fef0d9dd1.jpg)
Broader Implications of Comedy in a Divided Time
Comedy has long served as a platform for addressing complex social issues, and Saturday Night Live is no exception. While not every sketch will resonate equally with all viewers, many critics and scholars argue that satire is a valuable tool for exploring difficult topics.
In a 2020 piece by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, experts emphasized that political satire—when responsibly crafted—can challenge audiences to reconsider preconceived notions and foster dialogue. The Black Jeopardy sketch appears to follow this tradition, highlighting the contradictions and surprising alignments that exist in American society.
Conclusion: A Controversial Yet Familiar Character Returns
Tom Hanks’ reprise of Doug on Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special brought back a familiar character that originally sought to blur political and cultural lines through comedy. While some online reactions were critical, especially in light of current political sensitivities, the performance remained consistent with the original sketch’s intent: to use humor to reveal unexpected common ground between people.
The full episode is available on NBC.com and Peacock, along with previous editions of Black Jeopardy. As with any satire, viewer interpretation may vary, but the sketch has sparked a broader conversation about race, class, and cultural identity in America—just as it did nearly a decade ago.
Sources:
- NBC.com – Saturday Night Live Episodes
- Vulture – “The Story Behind Tom Hanks’ Black Jeopardy Sketch” (2018)
- Harvard Kennedy School – Shorenstein Center on Media and Public Policy (2020)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients, White House Archives (2016)
Would you like a graphic breakdown of the sketch timeline or character development history?
