10 Parodies That Made Public Figures ANGRY

10 Parodies That Made Public Figures Angry

Welcome to MsMojo, and today were looking at spoofs of influential individuals that notably incensed the targets. For the purposes of this list, public figures can include entertainers whose brand is defined by sociopolitical engagement, but not celebrities mostly focused on their art.

The Colbert Report (2005-14)

Karl Rove

In 2011, Stephen Colbert established a political action committee to demonstrate the subject on his show. Unable to get conservative political consultant Karl Rove to help out, The Colbert Report regularly interviewed a loaf of canned ham wearing a pair of glasses. This ended when the 2012 re-election of President Obama prompted Colbert to kill Ham Rove on the air. The real Rove then responded at last in an interview with ABC News. He initially dismissed the parody, but found Ham Roves death an extreme gesture of Colberts disdain and even a threat. Either way, he wasnt amused. The closest Colbert came to an apology was donating his super PACs funds to charity in the late Ham Roves honor.

In Living Color (1990-94)

Spike Lee

Foxs sketch comedy show In Living Color would touch some nerves with its spoofs. In a 2019 retrospective for The Hollywood Reporter, actor David Alan Grier named a particularly shocking critic. Prominent filmmaker and political commentator Spike Lee was reportedly furious about Tommy Davidsons depiction of him fighting unruly customers at a video store named Spikes Joints. This play on the film Do the Right Thing was deemed too exaggerated and insulting to Lees serious portrait of race relations in urban America. Some movies may be a little too reverent to mock so flippantly. Of course, Lee, who apparently didnt like In Living Color at all, can be a bit too outspoken at times.

Saturday Night Live (1975-)

Sarah Palin

Most believe that the former Governor of Alaska was always a good sport about her recurring spoof on SNL. Debuting during Sarah Palins 2008 vice-presidential run, Tina Feys quirky exaggeration of the politicians mannerisms and perspective made the comedian an icon. Palin told Sean Hannity that she found the bit hilarious, and lovingly dressed as Fey for Halloween. But in James Andrew Millers book Live from New York, she revealed that she thought the parody made her look like an idiot. Palins cameo on SNL was not a peaceful gesture, but a counter. The truth is that Palin felt exploited by Fey, and that the spoof helped kill her political career. It also helped make both women become bigger public figures.

The Daily Show (1996-)

Bill O'Reilly

The relationship between political commentator Bill OReilly and political satirist Jon Stewart seemed civil on one side. The liberal Stewarts hosting style and skits on The Daily Show regularly poked at his conservative counterpart. Nonetheless, OReilly made a number of appearances on the talk show, and regularly had Stewart on his The OReilly Factor. During a particularly heated debate in 2024, OReilly turned to the audience and remarked, [I truly hate him.] This may have been in gest, but it surely comes from a place of real frustration with Stewarts snarky comedy. Four years earlier, Stewart told The New York Times that giving OReilly a platform was perhaps the worst part of The Daily Show.

The Simpsons (1989-)

Morrissey

The former The Smiths frontman rose to the forefront of left-wing political activism in the UK and beyond. In recent years, however, many progressives have rejected Morrissey for his support of British Nationalist sentiments. This disillusionment was paralleled in the 2021 The Simpsons episode Panic on the Streets of Springfield, in which Lisa discovers that rockstar Quilloughby has abandoned his vegan and antiracist views. Morrissey quickly took to his personal blog to decry this misrepresentation of his complicated image. His manager also released a statement rejecting accusations of racism and asserting the singers dedication to animal rights. Morrissey seems to have grown a thick skin with critics, but prefers that the critiques be accurate.

Doonesbury (1970-)

Dan Quayle

Since the beginning of American counterculture, Garry Trudeaus comic strip has tackled many politicians along Michael Doonesburys coming-of-age. The most memorable reaction came from Dan Quayle in 1991. Doonesbury depicts the then-U.S. Vice President as an actual quail feather involved in a drug trade. This capitalized on claims from two incarcerated drug dealers that were ultimately proven false. Trudeaus platform for this conspiracy theory caused Quayle to go on a rant during a morning conference shortly before the offending strips were published. This was just part of the cartoonists private feud with the Bush family and administrations, dating back to his and George W.s mutual Yale days. Ironically, Quayle made the biggest public spectacle.

The Boondocks (2005-12; 2014)

Tyler Perry

Entertainment magnate Tyler Perry may upset some people with the quality of his work, but he tends to be moderate in his opinions. The animated sitcom The Boondocks still went pretty hard on him through the stand-in Winston Jerome. The episode Pause follows the making of one of Jeromes films, and characterizes him as internally racist, religiously fanatical and secretly gay. Perry was so offended by this obvious parody that he pressed Turner Broadcasting System to pull the episode from re-runs. There was even a disputed rumor that he had a hand in The Boondocks eventual cancellation. The incident is still a testament to both the mans power and the limits of his tolerance for criticism.

South Park (1997-)

Donald Trump

Spoofs of celebrity businessman Donald Trump have skyrocketed since his election to President of the United States in 2016 and 2024. He can hardly keep up with it all, but often publicly condemns such prominent critics as Saturday Night Live. (xref) Alec Baldwins impersonation was still nicer than the 2025 South Park episode Sermon on the Mount. Trump is depicted as a deranged tyrant and Satans lover, as in the shows earlier spoofs of Saddam Hussein. This was writer-director Trey Parkers extreme response to Paramount Globals settlement in a defamation suit by Trump. Though the President didnt directly review the episode, members of his administration have represented his intense outrage. At a San Diego Comic-Con panel, Parker offered only a sarcastic apology.

Saturday Night Live (1975-)

Barbara Walters

Journalist and television personality Barbara Walters was highly respected throughout her long career. She was also known for a slight speech impediment, especially after Gilda Radners exaggeration in a 1975 skit on Saturday Night Live. Baba Wawa became a recurring character on the show and one of Radners career-defining routines. Walters, however, was deeply hurt by this mockery of the speaking and interviewing style that made her an icon. That is, until her young daughter got her to lighten up on the matter. Walters went on to embrace Baba Wawa, as the inside joke left her reputation unscathed. Still, its hard enough to be a trailblazer without being a seminal spoof of broadcast journalists.

Hustler (1974-)

Jerry Falwell

Publishing provocateur Larry Flynt frequently tested the boundaries of decency in American media. A 1987 issue of the adult magazine Hustler took aim at a supposed champion of decency, televangelist Jerry Falwell, with a fake interview about how he lost his virginity. A footnote asserted that the seedy article was not to be taken seriously. Falwell wound up taking it seriously all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. There, it was formally ruled that any sufficiently clear parody of a public figure is protected speech. Flynts landmark victory thus opened the door for some courageous comedy, whether the subject, or really anyone with taste, liked it or not.

What are your favorite public figure parodies, and responses from the parodied? Give us your riff in the comments.