Remember this photo from a year ago with the hosts from “Today” all dressed up for Halloween? Gone this year, of course are Megyn Kelly and office sex dungeon aficionado Matt Lauer:
See TODAY's Halloween 2017 reveal: We've gone country, y'all! https://t.co/JwuJp5mT3b #HalloweenTODAY pic.twitter.com/jpExLZzXyL
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 31, 2017
Now, we don’t know what costumes the “Today” show cast will wear tomorrow, but while we wait for that, have a look at this brewing battle between Ben Shapiro and Al Roker on whiteface vs. blackface.
First up, here’s Shapiro accusing Hoda Kotb of wearing “whiteface” in her portrayal last year of Blake Shelton:
You didn't need a DeLorean to denounce whiteface when you were next to it…last year, @alroker (that's Hoda as Blake Shelton, btw) pic.twitter.com/MnsrUpoLzu
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) October 30, 2018
His larger point was to ask what exactly is NBC’s policy on all of this in light of Megyn Kelly’s dismissal from the network:
What exactly is NBC's policy on this stuff in general, anyway? Just out of curiosity? Since apparently @megynkelly gets fired for making an ignorant comment about non-blackface for which she apologized? https://t.co/e59ONkqdvg
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) October 30, 2018
Because why is it OK for Lester Holt to dress in whiteface?
And as @CalebHowe points out, Lester Holt has a rather weird history of dressing up as white people, complete with skin coloring makeup. NBC's got some weird policies. https://t.co/3TLZLzZ7cI
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) October 30, 2018
Here’s Holt as Susan Boyle:
Thanks for this, Tucker.
Who knew NBC endorsed Lester Holt's appearance in white face as Susan Boyle for Halloween episode. Seems unfair to @megynkelly, who only referenced how it was okay when we were younger, doesn't it? pic.twitter.com/xajcVbCGt7— Sandy appreciates you! (@RightGlockMom) October 30, 2018
Anyway, this is when Al Roker jumped in to defend Kotb, saying she never wore “whiteface” for the shot:
Somebody get Ben a new TV since he can’t see that Hoda is doing her best Blake Shelton WITHOUT whiteface. https://t.co/Wc20UC2vJa
— Al Roker (@alroker) October 30, 2018
Alright, but what about Lester Holt’s costume then? As Shapiro asked, what’s NBC’s policy, if there is one?
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Related:
What is wrong with you? Al Roker apologizes for smiley-face storm selfie in South Carolina [screenshot] http://t.co/LRSyggm7wK
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 5, 2015
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