Andy Samberg Star Is Born Suicide Joke Causes Backlash

Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh's very wholesome Golden Globes intro came to an awkward halt when the former made a joke about Jackson Maine's death in A Star Is Born.

In introducing Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Samberg referenced the plot of the nominated film, specifically the tragic end of Cooper's Jackson, who dies by suicide.

"He discovered Ally and she discovered him in the garage," Samberg said before Lady Gaga and Cooper took the stage.

In the film, Cooper's character dies in the garage of his home. However, Gaga's character does not discover his body.

Twitter users watching the show at home immediately got the reference — and many didn't find the joke particularly funny.

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"The remark by Andy Samberg about Ally discovering Jackson in the garage was beyond tasteless."

The remark by Andy Samberg about Ally discovering Jackson in the garage was beyond tasteless.
— Annabel House (@annabelcpa) January 7, 2019

"Okay, I love you Andy, but... not cool."

"he discovered ally and she discovered him in the garage" okay andy, i love you but... not cool
— mars | jackson maine's ? (@marsthedreamer) January 7, 2019

"ANDY WTF that ain’t right. I love you, but that ain’t right. Bad taste."

“he discovered ally and she discovered him in the garage” ANDY WTF that ain’t right. I love you, but that ain’t right. bad taste. #goldenglobes⁠ ⁠ #AStarIsBorn
— ℳ ? (@sasscatalog) January 7, 2019

"That was unnecessary and too soon."

“He discovered Ally and she discovered him in the garage”
That was unnecessary and too soon.
— amanda (@amandaacuna_) January 7, 2019

"Absolutely outraged at the fact that @thelonelyisland just made a suicide joke on live television. A Star is Born was a beautiful movie and joking about a worldwide dilemma is disgusting."

Absolutely outraged at the fact that @thelonelyisland just made a suicide joke on live television. A Star is Born was a beautiful movie and joking about a worldwide dilemma is disgusting. #GoldenGlobes
— blakely millsaps (@BlakelyMillsaps) January 7, 2019

"Making a joke of addiction and suicide. Way to go #goldenglobes I am mortified. 'She found him in the garage.' How fucking dare you."

Making a joke of addiction and suicide. Way to go #goldenglobes I am mortified. “She found him in the garage.” How fucking dare you.
— Dacon Hughes (@DaveyHughesy) January 7, 2019

"Wondering why the Golden Globes’ writers think it was appropriate for Andy Samberg to make a joke about suicide in the first 10 mins of the Golden Globes. #shameonyou"

Wondering why the Golden Globes’ writers think it was appropriate for Andy Samberg to make a joke about suicide in the first 10 mins of the Golden Globes. #shameonyou #GoldenGlobes2019
— Nicole Clark (@nicolec54) January 7, 2019

"Sandberg’s joke about Cooper & Gaga '...She found him in the garage' was tasteless, inappropriate and not the least bit funny. I’m sure everyone who has lost someone to suicide was mortified"

@goldenglobes Sandberg’s joke about Cooper & Gaga “...She found him in the garage” was tasteless, inappropriate and not the least bit funny. I’m sure everyone who has lost someone to suicide was mortified
— Paul Mirabella (@PaulJMirabella) January 7, 2019

Due to the plot point surrounding Jackson's death, A Star Is Born received a trigger warning before screenings in New Zealand.

If you are thinking about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the Suicide Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433.

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