Huge Uproar Over "SNL" Star Michael Che's Comments About Street Harassment
"I want to apologize to all the women I've harassed with statements like 'hi' or 'have a nice day.'"
Michael Che, the new co-host of Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update," ignited a social media uproar this week when he posted on his Facebook page about street harassment.
Che made comments that many users felt were insensitive in regards to the recent viral video about a woman walking through New York City being harassed by men.
His first status compared the woman being degraded and intimidated by strange men to instances where people come up to him on the sidewalk and ask him for his autograph.
He then apologized for his apology, explaining that he should have considered filtering himself better. He then screenshot them and put the statuses on Instagram. He has since deleted all of the comments, however.
As Che's comments went viral, reactions were fairly split, with many believing he shouldn't have made the joke.
man @CheThinks looks like a fool right now for his commentary on the catcalling vid YIIIIIIKES
Irrelevin@aurosanFollow
man @CheThinks looks like a fool right now for his commentary on the catcalling vid
YIIIIIIKES
2:46 PM - 29 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Those who are shocked that Michael Che would say something unfunny and dumbfounding obviously don't know who he is.
Gabulous@abfabgabrielleFollow
Those who are shocked that Michael Che would say something unfunny and dumbfounding obviously don't know who he is.
3:00 PM - 30 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
@CheThinks. bring back tina and amy. please. ' cause you so lame.
kgbuñuel@kgbunuelFollow
@CheThinks. bring back tina and amy. please. ' cause you so lame.
2:58 PM - 30 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
We were rooting for you, Michael Che, we were all rooting for you!
Ashley Steves@NoThisIsAshleyFollow
We were rooting for you, Michael Che, we were all rooting for you!
3:21 PM - 30 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Although, many have also come to Che's defense.
Nothing @CheThinks is anywhere remotely close to as offensive as people are saying it is.
Pow@JxPow
People need to chill out about the whole @CheThinks #catcalling thing… For real, pretty women don't need any more help in our society #fb
Erik Thein@TheErikTheinFollow
People need to chill out about the whole @CheThinks #catcalling thing
3:19 PM - 30 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavoriteFor real, pretty women don't need any more help in our society #fb
Fellow SNL cast member Taran Killam also came to Che's defense on Twitter Wednesday night.
Few people people more intelligent and sensitive than @CheThinks My wife and daughter really dig him. Discernment. That's all one can ask.
taran killam@TaranKillamFollow
Few people people more intelligent and sensitive than @CheThinks My wife and daughter really dig him. Discernment. That's all one can ask.
9:14 PM - 29 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
Che appears to have also told a young female Twitter user he'd rather drink bleach than apologize and then deleted the tweet.
he deleted his first one
anne@mahgninnucennaFollow
he deleted his first one
3:31 AM - 30 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
snl has mattered to me my entire life. i love snl. to see a castmember act this way hurts. i sincerely hope he apologizes for what he's said
snl has mattered to me my entire life. i love snl. to see a castmember act this way hurts. i sincerely hope he apologizes for what he's said
3:37 AM - 30 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
if michael ever does apologize, i want to send him bleach
if michael ever does apologize, i want to send him bleach
1:43 PM - 30 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
having "lol i'd rather drink bleach" - @CheThinks be my senior quote
having "lol i'd rather drink bleach" - @CheThinks be my senior quote
1:44 PM - 30 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorite
BuzzFeed has reached out to both Che's agent and NBC for comment.
Che did respond to Business Insider's Caroline Moss on Wednesday.
In a Facebook convo, this was Michael Che’s reaction to me, this post, and the catcalling video
Caro@socarolinesaysFollow
In a Facebook convo, this was Michael Che
3:26 PM - 29 Oct 14ReplyRetweetFavorites reaction to me, this post, and the catcalling video
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Ryan Broderick is a senior reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York City.
Contact Ryan Broderick at ryan@buzzfeed.com.
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