This past week, celebrities have been tripping over themselves to issue the most memorable indictment of the events that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend. Even Jimmy Fallon, a man who’s rabidly committed to containing his show to jokes that both conservatives and liberals can not laugh at together, got in on the action.

Unfortunately, among so many condemnations of injustice from so many people who are normally confined to commenting only on who they’re wearing, someone was bound to miss the mark. This time around, the court of public opinion has ruled that it is Tina Fey’s turn to be called out.

Thursday night, Fey joined “Weekend Update” hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost for “Weekend Update: Summer Edition” to discuss how best to approach neo-Nazi rallies in the future. The comedian advised viewers to partake in something she calls “sheetcaking,” an activity in which one stays home and eats cake instead of protesting neo-Nazis.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“Treat these rallies like the opening of a thoughtful movie with two female leads,” Fey said in the bit, her mouth full of cake. “Don’t show up.”

Unfortunately, Twitter was largely unimpressed by the joke.

For a non-Jewish white woman like Fey, consuming 4000 grams of sugar probably seems like a fantastic alternative to putting oneself in imminent danger by attending an anti-Nazi protest. Unfortunately for the rest of us, the consequence of doing nothing is more dangerous than putting our bodies in the streets.

Becky Scott is the editor of The Schmooze. Follow her on Twitter, @arr_scott

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount