Jimmy Fallon, NBC Apologize to Michele Bachmann Over the Roots Controversy: 6 Other Major Apologies

Jimmy Fallon, NBC Apologize to Michele Bachmann Over the Roots Controversy: 6 Other Major Apologies

Earlier this week, hip-hop crew and house band to the NBC talk show “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” stirred up controversy, when they played the 1985 Fishbone song “Lyin’ A— B—ch” as Minnesota Republican presidential contender Michele Bachmann walked on the show’s stage. Now, after band leader Questlove released an apology, Fallon and NBC have released apologies as well.

Fallon chose to share his apology via Tweeter. “I’m honored that @michelebachmann was on our show yesterday and I’m so sorry about the intro mess. I really hope she comes back,” posted Fallon on Nov. 22. “Actually it was a really fun interview. She helped me with my Minnesota accent. (I still sound Irish.)”


The following day, Bachmann appeared on Fox News Channel’s “America’s Newsroom” and responded to Fallon and Questlove’s apologies, saying that she had nothing against Fallon but that NBC failed to properly come to her defense.


“I don’t have anything against Jimmy Fallon. I love him, he’s a kick. It was a great opportunity to be on the show. I’d love to go back again. But I think the point is, if that had been Michelle Obama who had come out on the stage, and if that song had been played for Michelle Obama, I have no doubt that NBC would have apologized to her and likely they could have fired the drummer, at least suspended him. None of that happened from NBC. And this is clearly a form of bias on the part of the Hollywood entertainment elite, but it’s also, I think, sexism as well. This wouldn’t be tolerated if this was Michelle Obama; it shouldn’t be tolerated if it’s a conservative woman either,” said Bachmann.

Apparently responding t Bachmann’s words, on Thanksgiving, it was confirmed that Doug Vaughan, NBC’s senior vice president for special programs and late night, had issued an apologetic letter to Bachmann and saying that the incident was “not only unfortunate but also unacceptable” and explaining that the Roots were “severely reprimanded” for their song choice. Bachmann apparently accepted the apology and also spoke further with Fallon on Wednesday about the incident.


Well, now that apologies have been made all around and no one was (luckily) fired, things can return to normal on “Late Night.” Below, check out 6 other major apologies. – nicholas robinson.

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