10 Celebrity Impressions That Caused Massive Backlash
10 Celebrity Impressions That Caused Massive Backlash
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at impressions of famous people that sparked massive backlash.
Sarah Sherman as Aimee Lou Wood
Saturday Night Live (1975-)
The White Lotus met the White House in this SNL sketch, primarily taking shots at the Trump administration. The main talking point, though, was actress Aimee Lou Wood, portrayed here by Sarah Sherman. In addition to mimicking Wood with distinct dentures, attention is called to her teeth when Sherman inquires about fluoride. The real Wood expressed her disapproval and sadness on social media, calling the sketch mean and unfunny. Wood clarified that she wasnt hating on Sherman per se, but rather, hating on the concept. Nevertheless, Sherman sent Wood flowers as a way of saying sorry. Wood also wrote that she received apologies from SNL. While Wood has seemingly accepted the apologies, comedians debate whether SNL went too far or if this was fair game.
Natalie Venetia Belcon as Gary Coleman
Avenue Q (2003)
Although this Tony-winning musical is famous for its foul-mouthed puppets, the principal cast includes a few human characters. Among the standouts is Gary Coleman, whom Natalie Venetia Belcon played in the original Broadway production. The former child star is now the superintendent of an Avenue Q building. While played for laughs, this reflected Colemans financial struggles and the disappointing realities many face upon reaching adulthood. The real Coleman was initially interested in playing himself, but there was a failure of communication between the actor and creators. Coleman wasnt thrilled with his portrayal, saying in 2007, I wish there was a lawyer on Earth that would sue them for me. Afterman Coleman died three years later, his caricature remained an Avenue Q staple with some revisions.
Mae Questel as Helen Kane
Betty Boop franchise (1930-)
With a career spanning decades, Mae Questel broke out on the vaudeville scene with her impressions of celebrities like Helen Kane. Animator Max Fleischer thus thought Questel would be an ideal candidate to voice Betty Boop, who was inspired in part by Kanes onscreen persona. Although not the first actress to voice the flapper girl, Questel became the definitive Betty Boop, whose popularity eventually overshadowed Kanes. This compelled Kane to take legal action against Fleischer and distributor Paramount, claiming infringement. Although Kane was known for her boop-oop-a-doop routine, the courts deduced that she didnt pioneer this style. It could be traced back to child star Baby Esther, who was often compared to performer Florence Mills. Kane lost her case while Questel continued to voice Betty.
Michael Clayton as Robin Williams
Robin Williams rose to superstardom with his unparalleled talents for improv and impressions. Yet, Williams was anything but flattered upon learning that he was being impersonated by a man named Michael Clayton. No relation to the George Clooney character, although Williams would lawyer up. Some found Clayton so convincing that he could pass as the genuine artifact. This sparked confusion among the press and a charity, which thought they were getting the real Williams to perform. Clayton was accused of duping them. Williams, who made numerous charitable contributions throughout his life, ultimately took legal action. Clayton claimed ignorance, blaming agent Michael Pool for the mix-up. Either way, Williams wasnt negotiating. The case was quickly resolved after Clayton and Pool agreed to a stipulated injunction.
Abby Elliott as Brittany Murphy
Saturday Night Live (1975-)
On December 5, 2009, Abby Elliott dropped by the Weekend Update desk, putting on her best Brittany Murphy impression. The sketch commented on how Murphy had left the film The Caller, reportedly being difficult to work with. Elliotts lispy voice and exaggerated airhead persona seemed innocent enough. Within fifteen days, though, the sketch had aged incredibly poorly. Murphys unresponsive body was discovered, soon dying from pneumonia and other complications, according to medical experts. While SNL had no way of foreseeing this tragedy, the timing couldnt have been worse. You wont find the sketch on SNLs YouTube channel. Even in syndication, the clip has become difficult to track down with SNL seemingly going out of its way to forget Elliotts impression ever happened.
Martin Short as Fredric Brandt
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-20)
In the fourth episode of this sitcom, the titular Kimmy Schmidt visits a cartoonish plastic surgeon. While the character is named Dr. Sydney Grant - pronounced Dr. Franff - he shared an undeniable resemblance to celebrity dermatologist Fredric Brandt. The two sounded alike as well. A month after the season dropped on Netflix, Brandt ended his life. According to Brandts publicist, The show definitely deeply hurt him. As devastated as Brandt was, the publicist added that the show was not the reason for his depression, and it was not the reason he would take his own life. Whatever was at the root of Brandts mental illness, its safe to assume why Short didnt return to Kimmy Schmidt.
Dana Carvey as Bill Clinton The Dana Carvey Show (1996)
George H. W. Bush defined Dana Carveys tenure on SNL, but Bill Clinton marked the premature end of his 1996 sketch comedy series. Carvey wanted to establish upfront that this was going to be a much stranger, edgier comedy show than what audiences were used to. In retrospect, the newly Disney-owned ABC network wasnt the best fit for The Dana Carvey Show, which opened with the headliner doing a President Clinton impression. Sounds straightforward until Carvey reveals multiple nipples for breastfeeding and a hens buttocks. Although not especially scandalous by todays standards, democrats and republicans alike were up in arms at the time. From that impression on, the writing was on the wall for The Dana Carvey Show, which wouldnt make it past eight episodes.
Jeffrey Weissman as Crispin Glover
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
Despite the first films success, Crispin Glover decided against reprising his role as George McFly. So, the filmmakers conceived an alternate 1985 where George is dead. An older George still needed to appear in 2015. For these scenes, Robert Zemeckis turned to actor Jeffrey Weissman, who could do a good impression of Glover. It wasnt enough to sound like the original George McFly. Weissman also needed to look the part, which was accomplished using molds of Glovers face. Glover felt this crossed a line, pursuing legal action that resulted in the Screen Actors Guild introducing clauses to prevent an actors likeness from being used without permission. Ironically, Claudia Wells was replaced with Elisabeth Shue as Jennifer, but Zemeckis didnt go to the same extremes.
Jimmy Fallon as Chris Rock
Saturday Night Live (1975-)
In 2017, Jimmy Fallon kicked off his Golden Globes monologue with a Chris Rock impression. Fallon had previously showcased the impression on SNL where he not only put on Chris Rocks voice, but his face as well. While Fallons impression was jarring in 2000, it seemed to come and go without any real consequences. In an age where people love to joke about jokes that didnt age well, though, it seemed inevitable that Fallons impression of Rock would resurface. As the 20-year-old sketch made the rounds, Fallon issued an apology, calling his impersonation a terrible decision. While Rock doesnt condone blackface, he didnt take the sketch personally, saying, I dont think Jimmy Fallon intended to hurt me. And he didnt.
Will Rogers as Calvin Coolidge
Nowadays, some comedians make a living impersonating presidents. Back in 1928, it was harder to draw a line between reality and parody, especially with a medium like radio. On the air, actor Will Rogers announced that hed be joined by President Calvin Coolidge. This was actually just Rogers doing an impression, but numerous listeners couldnt tell the difference. Rogers was obligated to issue an apology, writing to the president and first lady, I find that due to my lack of good taste, or utter stupidity, that I have wounded the feelings of two people who I most admire. Although Rogers promised nothing like this would ever happen again, it wouldnt be the last time he parodied a president with generations of comics following his example.
Do you think any of these impressions went too far? Let us know in the comments.
