Strong reactions to Sarah Silverman calling stalwart Bernie supporters "ridiculous"
Comedian Sarah Silverman drew quite a bit of attention Monday with her remarks at the Democratic National Convention about the more stalwart among Bernie Sanders' supporters who are vowing to not support Hillary Clinton.
"To the 'Bernie or Bust' people: You're being ridiculous," Silverman said from the podium, next to Sen. Al Franken. As it turns out, no one knew she was going to say it.
Sarah Silverman to Sanders die-hards: "You're being ridiculous"
"It wasn't scripted at all," Silverman later told CNN, explaining that she and Franken had been told that the program was running ahead of schedule and they needed to stretch for time. No stranger to ad-libbing, Silverman proceeding to make one of the night's most high-profile comments.
Reactions online to Silverman's jab came quick -- and offered a lot of praise and support.
@SarahKSilverman is a hero in Philly tonight. Thank you for rationality and faith #DemConvention #DemsInPhilly #bridge
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) July 26, 2016
Wow @SarahKSilverman WOW. #DNCinPHL
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) July 26, 2016
Thank you you @SarahKSilverman for saying like it is. Bernie supporters on the floor should be embarrassed.
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) July 26, 2016
Amen, @SarahKSilverman. #DemsInPhilly
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) July 26, 2016
Whoever got Sarah Silverman to speak deserves a raise. I thought she hit the perfect tone for what she tried to do. #DemsInPhilly
— deray mckesson (@deray) July 26, 2016
Thank you @SarahKSilverman
— Lucas Neff (@RealLucasNeff) July 26, 2016
Thank you for your impassioned reason, empathy and willingness to move this nation forward.
.@SarahKSilverman killed it! Amazing! Thank you Sarah!!! #DemsInPhilly
— (((Andy Kindler))) (@AndyKindler) July 26, 2016
Sarah Silverman is what every comedian should be: brilliant, rad, aware, and thrillingly true to herself.
— Louis Virtel (@louisvirtel) July 26, 2016
All I want now is for Sarah Silverman to have a show where once a week she tells some group they're being ridiculous.
— quinn cummings (@quinncy) July 26, 2016
Now I want @SarahKSilverman for president! Actually, no, because she's an awesome comedian and I want her to keep representing us.
— Fortune Feimster (@fortunefunny) July 26, 2016
But among the positive reactions, there were some that took issue with Silverman's off-the-cuff remarks, and they weren't shy about it.
Leaving Sarah Silverman on stage with a live mic and no script is the worst idea since sending Clint Eastwood out with a chair.
— David S. Bernstein (@dbernstein) July 26, 2016
It's so fitting, in a campaign where a TV star may become president, we're debating "Did Sarah Silverman unite or divide the convention?"
— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) July 26, 2016
Kickstarter to fund a Sarah Silverman / Scott Baio debate
— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) July 26, 2016
"I thought I had an important cause. But then Sarah Silverman said I was ridiculous, and I recanted."
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) July 26, 2016
For some, though, it was clear that commenting on Silverman's remarks wasn't necessarily about taking a side.
Sarah Silverman rocking the Amy Winehouse look minus being dead.
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) July 26, 2016
It's like I always said, you can't really establish party unity without a keynote address from Sarah Silverman.
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) July 26, 2016
The #BernieOrBust people in the room really seem determined to prove @SarahKSilverman right. #DemsInPhilly
— Dan Savage (@fakedansavage) July 26, 2016
As for Silverman herself, her only further commentary on social media was to express her continued admiration for Sanders, despite what she might think of his more ardent supporters.
#BERNIE pic.twitter.com/I1zlsR5d4p
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) July 26, 2016