Tom Hanks, America’s beloved “national treasure,” shocked fans when he revived an old Saturday Night Live character during the show’s star-studded 50th anniversary special. But instead of laughter, the skit stirred up controversy, leaving many questioning the actor’s decision.

Hanks Brings Back ‘Doug’—And Not Everyone’s Laughing

Returning to SNL’s Black Jeopardy sketch, Hanks reprised his 2016 character, Doug—a folksy, MAGA-hat-wearing conservative. The segment, hosted by Kenan Thompson’s Darnell Hayes, quickly turned tense when Doug recoiled from a handshake. “Don’t like that, whoa, whoa, whoa,” he said, prompting Hayes to reply, “It’s just a handshake.”

The exchange sparked immediate backlash. “Tom Hanks just went on national TV in a MAGA hat, acting like he didn’t want to shake a Black man’s hand,” one outraged viewer wrote on X. Others accused the Oscar winner of fueling division, calling the skit “cringe,” “tone-deaf,” and even “racist.”

SNL Defends the Character

Despite the uproar, Black Jeopardy has long been praised for its sharp social satire. The sketch’s original writers, Bryan Tucker and Michael Che, previously shared that Hanks’ hesitation in the handshake scene was an unscripted moment that made the character feel even more real. Kenan Thompson himself once applauded Hanks for making Doug “human” and taking a “super-bold” comedic risk.

But in today’s climate, not everyone finds the humor in it. While some fans defended Hanks’ performance, calling it “brilliant satire,” others slammed SNL for reviving the bit. “This is why SNL is in the toilet,” one critic posted.

Did Hanks Go Too Far?

With opinions split down the middle, the question remains—was this sketch comedy gold or a major misstep? Watch the video below and let us know what you think!