Colbert and ‘The Daily Show’ take on the black Santa controversy

For those who missed it, Fox News host Megyn Kelly hosted a segment on her show on Wednesday discussing a Slate article in which the author suggested that Santa Claus be depicted as a penguin -- a more inclusive figure than a pink-skinned white guy. Kelly stated, for the kids watching her show, that Santa Claus was white. And so was Jesus. And Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert jumped.

Both hosts made a variety of arguments about why either Kelly’s assertions were beyond ridiculous or made perfect sense, but both Colbert and Stewart (along with correspondent Jessica Williams) all agreed on one notion: If Santa Claus was a black man, he’d probably be shot coming down the chimney.

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On “The Colbert Report,” the host agreed with Kelly’s claims.

“Santa can’t just change colors,” Colbert stated. “It’s not like he’s magic or anything.”

Colbert also pointed out that the races of all mystical holiday figures “have long been determined.

“There’s Santa: white. Easter Bunny: white. Tooth Fairy: Latina (“They need the baby teeth; it’s what they put in the maracas.”)

Over on “The Daily Show” Stewart turned to “Senior Christmas Accuracy Correspondent” Williams to address Kelly’s claims about Santa. Surprisingly, Williams gave a lot of support to the Fox News host as well.

“Santa is white,” Williams reiterated. “It’s ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ not ‘Miracle on 134th Street.’ The only miracle on 134th Street is that we get to participate at all.”

When Stewart tried to point out that the historical basis for Santa Claus, the real-life Saint Nicholas, hailed from a part of the world that is now modern day Turkey, Williams shot him down.

“Don’t be stupid, Jon. A swarthy Turkish Santa would make people very uncomfortable.”

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She then pointed out that if white people are uncomfortable with something, it’s gotta change. It’s how dark-skinned Saint Nicholas became very Caucasion Santa Claus. And how the rock ‘n’ roll of Chuck Berry was surpassed by the same rock ‘n’ roll of Elvis Presley.

“Santa’s not black just because some blogger wishes he was, just like Megyn’s not black just because she spells her name creatively,” Williams said.

According to Deadline, Kelly will be back on her show on Friday evening to address the controversy.

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