Internet Reacts to Cringeworthy Exchange Between Jane Fonda and Megyn Kelly
In Megyn Kelly’s debut week of her morning show on NBC, she’s already causing a stir over one [...]
Jane's reaction:
Many fans were Team Jane after the awkward interview aired, noting the simple way she shut down the question and circled back to her upcoming movie.
jane fonda just shutting down megyn kelly and taking that interview for herself while robert redford had her back the whole time pic.twitter.com/AQXsmQtUoF
— steph (@stephssdubois) September 27, 2017
jane fonda's reaction to megyn kelly asking about her plastic surgery is my forever mood pic.twitter.com/brklAzCDM8
— Quinn (@QuinnKeaney) September 27, 2017
Later on Wednesday, Fonda talked to Entertainment Tonight Canada and reacted to the bizarre moment, saying she was "a little bit" shocked by Kelly's theme of questions.
"I mean, the fact that we don't have a lot of time, and [Redford] is right here, it was a weird thing to bring up, whether I've had plastic surgery or not," she said. "I have, and I've talked about it, but it just seemed like the wrong time and place to raise that question."
@Janefonda -- Way to handle Megyn Kelly's inappropriate question about aging/plastic surgery! #doublestandard. Smart lady.
— Patricia E Gallaher (@TrishWon) September 29, 2017
Though Redford kept quiet during the on-air exchange, he offered messages of support during the pair's joint interview with ET Canada.
"It didn't involve me. Of course, I haven't had [plastic surgery]," he said. "I think Jane didn't want to go there. I think she didn't want to have the show turn into about her, her surgery or her look. It was about the quality of the performance."
prevnextApparently Megyn Kelly is not aware of what Jane Fonda is capable of. This is what she really thought of doing to her. She's savage pic.twitter.com/gp1ujGsd5B
— ❂ Yübbîę Umoh ❂ (@Yubbie007) September 29, 2017
Kelly's defense:
Others focused their reactions on Kelly, who was only in her third day on the air for Megyn Kelly Today, NBC's new 9 a.m. spot.
NBC is paying Megyn Kelly $18 Mill a year to ask Jane Fonda and all her other Guests so far really idiotic questions https://t.co/mBttnSi0Re
— Zendaya's ShoesRule (@myfeetonfleek) September 27, 2017
Jane Fonda blowing up internet today 4 giving Megyn Kelly a look I have been perfecting since I taught teenagers #TheSchoolTeacherLook pic.twitter.com/t9sz5pDViG
— KeepOnBelieveInn (@YMBBastepaway) September 28, 2017
Others suggested that Kelly's reputation as a no-holds-barred conservative news anchor led to her off-topic line of questioning.
Jane Fonda is NOT impressed with Megyn Kelly, because you can take the girl out of Fox News, but you can't take Fox News out of the girl. pic.twitter.com/U1aVq6ukwM
— CeeLee (@CeeLeeMusic) September 27, 2017
But fellow NBC correspondent Savannah Guthrie spoke out on Kelly's behalf offering a message of support to the TV host.
"I think she's got the eyes of the world upon her, and I think everybody can relate to how nerve-wracking that is," Guthrie said on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen Thursday. "But I think she's awesome."
Bravo host Andy Cohen also showed his support for the former Fox News anchor during his interview with Guthrie. "I think she got a bad rap with that Jane Fonda thing, personally. I would have asked that question. I have asked that question."
"I think I've asked that question, too," Guthrie agreed. "You know, sometimes you ask questions in an interview — live TV, there's awkward moments all the time."
prevnextOne-of-a-kind reactions:
The cringe-worthy exchange has caught the eye of other celebrities, too, including actress Sarah Michelle Gellar.
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star offered her message of support to Fonda for the way she handled herself during the startling line of questions.
So how come @megynkelly didn't ask @RobertRedfcrd if he had any plastic surgery?? Way to stay composed @Janefonda #doublestandard
— Sarah Michelle (@SarahMGellar) September 27, 2017
And others just tried to have the last laugh over the less-than-perfect interview, turning Fonda into a viral meme and poking fun at the awkward encounter.
Can we please make #JaneFonda the new white guy blinking meme? She shut Megyn Kelly down with the "ummm collect yourself" blink so quick pic.twitter.com/p7nEmDzC5I
— Courtney Thomas (@Thomas_C_Mia) September 27, 2017
If I ever need to conjure a Patronus I will close my eyes and remember the transcendent faces Jane Fonda made at Megyn Kelly this morning. pic.twitter.com/PTrbINrFN1
— Heather Hogan (@theheatherhogan) September 27, 2017
prevJane Fonda vs Megyn Kelly is like Muhammad Ali vs the understudy of the person who wiped up Ali's sweat.
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) September 27, 2017