Colbert Attacked for 'Toxic Masculinity' Jokes in Proud Boys Bit

[Mark Jeffries]

On Tuesday night's show, Colbert talked about the trial several members of the neo-fascist group are involved in and the fact that their adopted anthem is "Proud to Be Your Boy" from the stage version of Disney's "Aladdin" and snickered at a clip from the show featuring cast member Adam Jacobs singing the song--Jacobs considered the snicker an attack on his manhood and wrote the following on Instagram:  "Not funny @colbertlateshow. I understand the point you were trying to make with the Proud Boys, but completely emasculating me, mocking my work (and all musical theatre artists) all while using my image without my permission, is a poor way to go about it. I had always thought @stephenathome was a friend to the Broadway community, but it sure doesn’t seem like it in this clip. #PoorTaste” (clip in link below):

https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/2023/1/26/stephen-colbert-joke-ignites-anger-in-the-theatre-community

Colbert's staff's obvious reply to Jacobs claiming they used the clip without his permission would probably be B roll (with a "Disney's Aladdin" credit in the "Late Show" credit font at the bottom of the screen) and fair use.  Most of the comments agreed with Jacobs and another writer to OnStage Blog compared Colbert to Bill Burr and Dave Chapelle.