The Roots vs. Michele Bachmann
When guests come on screen on the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon show, The Roots always greet them with walk-on music that's often subtle and usually witty. For Larry King, it was Roger Miller's "King of the Road," for Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian it was Meatloaf's "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad." Depending on your point of view, on Monday night, the Philadelphia band led by drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson either cleverly outdid itself or overstepped the bounds of acceptable taste while making their political beliefs all too plain in a way that's sure to be making their employers at NBC deeply uncomfortable.
The Roots vs. Michele Bachmann
Dan DeLuca, Inquirer Music Critic
When guests come on screen on the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon show, The Roots always greet them with walk-on music that's often subtle and usually witty. For Larry King, it was Roger Miller's "King of the Road," for Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian it was Meatloaf's "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad."
Depending on your point of view, on Monday night, the Philadelphia band led by drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson either cleverly outdid itself or overstepped the bounds of acceptable taste while making their political beliefs all too plain in a way that's sure to be making their employers at NBC deeply uncomfortable.
Minnesota congresswoman and Republican Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann was the guest, and when she walked out to be meet Fallon, the wordless, unquiet music played by ?uestlove was a song by the great West Coast ska-punk band Fishbone called "Lyin' A-- Bitch."
The initial reaction from Roots watchers was laudatory - ?uesto retweeted one follower who wrote "@questlove huge ups to the fishbone tune for Bachman on jimmy tonight. perfect entry song for her!" Today, though, the mood hasn't been so sanguine. Fallon tweeted "@Questlove is grounded" and later "I'm honored that @MicheleBachmann was on our show and I'm sorry about the intro mess. i really hope she comes back."
Meantime, demands for an apology from the band, who release their new album Undun on Dec. 6, started adding up. Democratic New York Congresswoman Rep. Nita Lowey said in a statement: "I do not share Michele Bachmann's politics, but she deserves to be treated with respect. No female politician - and no woman - should be subjected to sexist and offensive innuendo like she was last night." And PBS' Gwen Ifill tweeted "You know what? The Roots and Jimmy Fallon should apologize. Really, @questlove, you're better than that."
By Tuesday evening, that apology had materialized, with ?uestlove, who has a picture of himself with President Obama on his twitter feed, saying in a statement: “The performance was a tongue-in-cheek and spur of the moment decision. The show was not aware of it and I feel bad if her feelings were hurt. That was not my intention.”
We'll see if there's any elaboration on tonight's show, which was taped earlier this evening, before Bachmann participated in yet another Republican debate, in Washington, D.C. A clip of the Bachmann walk on, via Politico, is below. Fishbone's original "Lyin' A-- Bitch" is here.
UPDATE: No mention of the Bachmann brouhaha on Fallon on Tuesday night. The grounded ?uestlove was behind his kit as usual, backing musical guest B.o.B. and hyping Undun in an absurdist Shout Outs segment that also included Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter hawking "Mexico meets the Mayflower" turkey tacos. First guest Howie Mandel was greeted by "This is Howie Mandel" music, adapted from Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It."
UPDATE #2: Bachman was interviewed on the Fox News Channel's show America's Newsroom on Wednesday morning, and when she was asked if she was aware of the Fishbone song being played, she had this to say:
“I wasn’t aware of it at all. I didn’t find out until later yesterday and at that point I was traveling and making my way to the presidential debate. I am hoping to be able to speak to Jimmy Fallon today. I don’t have anything against Jimmy Fallon, I love him, he’s a kick, it was a great opportunity to be on the show, I’d love to go back again. But I think the point is, if that had been Michelle Obama who had come out on the stage, and if that song had been played for Michelle Obama, I have no doubt that NBC would have apologized to her and likely they could have fired the drummer, at least suspended him, none of that happened from NBC and this is clearly a form of bias on the part of the Hollywood entertainment elite but it’s also I think it’s sexism as well. This wouldn’t be tolerated if this was Michelle Obama; it shouldn’t be tolerated if it’s a conservative woman either.”
Previously: Review: Rihanna's Talk That Talk Follow In The Mix on Twitter here
WOW alot of you sound like bitter hateful white people who are tired of being called prejudice. So its OK when Rush Limbaugh or Bill O Reilly do something offensive, but low and behold a black man makes a joke about a white woman..OH MY!! This has nothing to do with RACISM or SEXISM. was it not clearly thought out? probably. but was it clever? hell yea. considering Bachmann has no problem speaking her opinions on other peoples lives why should her opposers? plus everyone knows her from her imfamous "I'm Not a Whitch" ads, and "whitch" rhymes with "b****".— imtiredofignorantppl- American politics. Funny. When Bachman does something disrespectful or absurd to people, people do it right back, so you have hate for hate. What problem does that solve?— Bobby Digital
- fishbone just played here, too. maybe the roots should of played 'party with saddam' or 'frayed F/ing Nerve' those songs are quite apt considering what her candidacy represents. its only a song, but ideas find a way... creatively abrupt! songs can be political opportunities...— DonAspy32
- The reason the Roots weren't penalized is because they're actually more relevant than this lady. No one cares about this lady. Not even the Republicans complaining on this site! You're only whining because it was done to someone in the Rep party. I wonder how many of you are actually going to vote for her?— BackinAction
Comment removed.- The Roots tell it like it is. and if she's going to be president, whining is not a presidential quality. you take it and move on, like our own Cool Mr. President.— tulipwalk
- Don't like Frau Bachmann one little bit. Her politics are right of wrong, however, if one wants to disagree with her there's a correct way to do it, and this wasn't it. Disagree with her I will, but I will not stoop to her level to do it. As the old saying goes, "Lay down with dogs; get up with fleas." I think ?uestlove has learned the meaning of that expression.
— mike 1717 - Media/Entertainment clearly favor the Dem's.
Including this newspaper.
— 164omw - LTTim76, check out this website for lies: http://www.dccc.org/page/content/bachmannwatch— kam60
- She is what she potrays herself to be! Quest and the Root have every right to express themselves just as she expresses herself about our President every chance she gets. She is in Politics, if you don't have a thick skin then get out of the business. Do you think she was going to change her talking points if she got the chance just because she was on Jimmy Fallons show? Lets get real people. Oh and BTW Philly Excitement, I'm sure the Roots won't miss your iTunes gift card download money for getting thier latest work. Smoke on that!— SKYMAN
- Who the f#@k cares about "The Roots?" I am proud to say I am a music lover of all kinds, and I have never once listened to a Roots song. I don't know anything abt this Bachman woman, so why is she a liar? Why did this afro wearing four-eyed freak think it was appropriate to play it? And Skyman, yes, she's in politics and takes on Obama. Just remind me what office this Roots a-hole is running for, since you seem to think it's ok for him to get involved.— mel-b
- So, by your logic, people can't express political opinions unless they're running for some sort of office. That's smart. And where would you like to start with Bachmann's lies? The Founding Fathers worked to abolish slavery? Illegal immigrants are going to receive free healthcare? Death panels? Gay clinics? Shall I go on?
- typical politician blowing things out of proportion to get more air time. This is no diff then the letterman sarah palin blow up from a few years ago. I think all women should be treated with respect, but I also think all HUMANS should get sense of humor, and stop trying to eget more air time by any means possible...— bingo
- typical politician blowing things out of proportion to get more air time. This is no diff then the letterman sarah palin blow up from a few years ago. I think all women should be treated with respect, but I also think all HUMANS should get sense of humor, and stop trying to eget more air time by any means possible...— bingo
- no class decision by the Roots. . .— tarik255
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