NBC Apologizes to Michele Bachmann over Musical Jab

Jimmy Fallon tweets that Roots drummer is "grounded" over musical dig

A top NBC executive apologized to presidential hopeful Michele Bachman over a musical gaffe during her recent appearance on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."'

A Bachmann spokesman told The Associated Press late Wednesday she received a written apology from Doug Vaughan, NBC's vice president for late night programming.

The GOP presidential hopeful scored the musical equivalent of a sneer from Fallon’s band when she dropped by “Late Night” early Tuesday to talk Bachmann family Turkey Day traditions.

As Bachmann made her entrance, The Roots played the “la la la, la la la” refrain from a Fishbone song titled “Lyin’ Ass Bitch.”

Vaughan wrote the incident was "not only unfortuante but also unacceptable," and said the band has been reprimanded.

A red-faced Jimmy Fallon also apologized for what happened, tweeting, "I'm honored that @michelebachmann was on our show yesterday and I'm so sorry about the intro mess. I really hope she comes back."

Roots drummer and band leader Questlove tweeted before the NBC show aired: “aight late night walkon song devotees: you love it when we snark: this next one takes the cake. ask around cause i aint tweeting title.”

Amid fallout from the stunt, Questlove later said in a statement to ABC News that the performance “was a tongue-in-cheek and spur of the moment decision,” and the show was not aware of the band’s musical dig.

“I feel bad if her feelings were hurt. That was not my intention,” he said.

Fallon tweeted that Questlove had been “grounded.”

News of the dustup overshadowed Bachmann’s sitdown with Fallon. Check below to see the Minnesota congresswoman riff on her presidential rivals during a word association game:

And here’s Bachmann explaining why Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday:

Contact Us