Tom Hanks is often called a national treasure thanks to his beloved career and iconic roles, from Forrest Gump to Cast Away. Recently, he reprised an old character that stirred controversy.
During Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special, Hanks appeared in a revival of the Black Jeopardy sketch, playing Doug—a MAGA hat-wearing, conservative character he first portrayed in 2016. In the sketch, Doug hesitates to shake host Darnell Hayes’ (Kenan Thompson) hand and makes a quip about “White Jeopardy,” prompting backlash.
Critics online accused Hanks of racism and called the sketch tone-deaf and divisive. Others defended the performance, noting the satire and boldness of his portrayal. The original sketch was written by Bryan Tucker and Michael Che, with Thompson later praising Hanks for making Doug “more human.” Hanks even ad-libbed the handshake hesitation, which became a memorable moment.
Despite the backlash, Black Jeopardy remains a notable part of SNL’s comedic legacy, and Hanks’ return reignited discussion about satire, race, and political humor on mainstream TV.