Tom Hanks created an unexpected viral moment during the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago when a brief exchange with a television reporter quickly turned into one of the event’s most high-profile moments.
The Oscar winner’s playful but pointed remark sparked laughter, criticism and a flood of reactions online, highlighting the difficulties of a media network and Hanks’ characteristic wit.
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The unexpected exchange happened shortly after Tom Hanks arrived at the opening ceremony on Thursday.
Jacob Soboroff, MS NOW’s senior national and political correspondent, was live-streaming the event when he approached the actor in hopes of getting a quick interview.
“Nice to see you,” Soboroff said, trying to get Hanks’ attention.
Initially busy, Hanks eventually turned to reporting after some persistence. Rather than answer questions immediately, he began with a remark that caught everyone off guard.
“What can I do for the 800 people watching MS NOW? » Hanks joked.
The comment appeared to reference the network’s declining television audience and immediately changed the tone of the interaction.
Soboroff responded with a smile and reminded the actor, “Oh, come on. We’re live on MS NOW.”
Tom Hanks and the reporter exchange playful barbs
The exchange did not stop there. After Soboroff pushed back, Hanks cracked another joke.
“Fine, add a zero,” he deadpanned.
The reporter quickly responded by saying, “I’d say millions now that you’re on the air.” »
At this point, Hanks seemed ready to give up on the joke.
“Very good. Very good,” he said before answering questions about the event itself.
The moment only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough to capture the internet’s attention. Clips of the interaction quickly spread across social media platform X, generating hundreds of thousands of views within hours.
For many viewers, the brief exchange became more memorable than the event in which it occurred.
Online reactions divided over viral moment
As the clip circulated online, reactions came from all sides.
Some viewers found the actor’s comments hilarious and praised his sense of humor. Others felt the joke crossed the line and criticized the actor for hitting the network during a live broadcast.
One social media user wrote: “Asking Tom Hanks for a comment these days is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re going to get.” »
Not everyone was amused. “Pretty arrogant, Tom. Not very good looking,” another commenter posted.
A third critic added: “Hanks has always been a whiny, immature, twisted liberal. »
The supporters also made themselves heard. “Tom immediately with a banger,” one fan wrote.
Another user commented, “He was being silly with those jokes,” while someone else praised the interaction, saying, “The whole interview was awesome.” »
The network behind the joke
The joke took place against the backdrop of real-world challenges facing traditional cable television.
Like many linear television networks, MS NOW has experienced declining viewership over the years despite recent efforts to strengthen its position.
According to the Daily mail, the network currently averages around 900,000 viewers, compared to an average that exceeded 1.1 million viewers in 2016.
As changing viewing habits and the removal of cords continue to reshape the industry, the network has undergone major changes. It was renamed MSNBC in November as part of a broader effort to restructure the company following its separation from Comcast.
Today, the channel operates under Versant, a media company focused primarily on national cable properties. Other networks in its portfolio include CNBC, Golf Channel, E!, Syfy and Oxygen.
In this context, Hanks’ joke resonated with many viewers already familiar with the changing television landscape.
Tom Hanks focuses on “Toy Story 5”
Away from the viral controversy, Hanks is preparing to take another major step in his career.
The actor will return as Woody in “Toy Story 5,” which arrives in theaters June 19.
Talk with PEOPLE in New York last month, Hanks expressed his excitement about returning to one of Pixar’s most beloved franchises.
“Oh my Lord, all I can say is the saga continues,” he said.
The original “Toy Story” film debuted in 1995 and became a global phenomenon, launching one of the most successful animated franchises. More than three decades later, Hanks remains amazed that the journey continues.
“I’ve seen it. I don’t know how they do it, but it’s a vibrant and appropriate chapter in the Toy Story canon,” he said. “None of us can believe we’re still a part of it.”
The new film will see Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the gang face a modern challenge as technology competes for children’s attention.
Director Andrew Stanton previously explained the central conflict, saying, “In Toy Story 5, the toy’s job becomes exponentially more difficult when our toy team faces what today’s kids are obsessed with: electronics.” »