Jack Black, the famed comedian and musician of the American comedy rock duo Tenacious D, has decided to cancel the band’s tour following a controversial joke made by his bandmate Kyle Gass during a recent performance in Sydney.
In a heartfelt statement posted on Instagram, Black expressed his dismay: “I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form. After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold.”
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Black also took a moment to thank their fans for their “support and understanding” during this difficult time.
Jack Black Cancel Tenacious D Tour
The controversy erupted after video footage emerged of Gass contreoversial joke at Sydney ICC Theatre. During the performance, Black asked Gass if he had a birthday wish, to which Gass responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” This comment was in reference to the recent attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Immediate Fallout
The band’s tour has faced immediate repercussions. Tuesday night’s concert at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre was postponed just hours before the doors were set to open, leaving fans disappointed and confused. Frontier Touring, the tour promoters, released a statement on Instagram advising ticket holders to retain their tickets until further notice.
Some fans were reportedly already lined up at the venue when they were informed of the cancellation.
Political Backlash
The joke has not only attracted widespread media attention but also political backlash. Australian Senator Ralph Babet has called for the immediate deportation of Tenacious D from Australia. In his statement, Babet urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to revoke the band’s visas and deport them, stating, “Anything less than a deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump.”
Tour in Limbo
This tour marked Tenacious D’s first visit to Australia in over a decade, with sold-out shows scheduled in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide over the next six days. However, with the recent developments, the future of these performances remains uncertain.
Moving Forward
As fans and critics await further announcements, the impact of this incident on Tenacious D’s career and future creative endeavors is yet to be fully realized. For now, the band’s priority appears to be addressing the fallout from the controversial remark and ensuring such incidents are not repeated.
