Comedian Jerrod Carmichael‘s joke about race-based role-playing with his white boyfriend isn’t getting as many laughs as it is raised eyebrows and anger.
The controversial quip came on HBO’s “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” … where JC says, “I sometimes joke to him that our relationship is like that of a slave and a master’s son … who, like, teaches me how to read by candlelight.”
HBO
Just that opening line drew some jeers, but Jerrod pressed on, “Yeah, he groans too ’cause he’s a good person. He doesn’t like that f***ing joke. I like that joke. That’s my burden, I think that s***’s hilarious!!’
Of course, the scene, which debuted Sunday night, got posted and reposted all over Instagram … and ignited a firestorm of criticism, as folks blasted Jerrod’s joke as an inappropriate take on racial inequality.
Many commenters accused JC of showing self-hate, while others said the whole “joke” was downright cringe. The backlash, arguably, got worse over on X, where some users dubbed him a danger to the Black queer community.
Looks like Jerrod’s feeling the heat ’cause he’s taken a step back by making his IG account private.
As for addressing the controversy publicly … he’s staying tight-lipped for now.