Michael Rapaport is catching warmth from “The Traitors” viewers for 2 very totally different causes, and each moments performed out throughout the identical episode. Followers of the Peacock actuality competitors have been speaking after the comic was caught consuming on digicam in the course of the present’s fourth episode, which aired Thursday, January 15. Within the clip making the rounds on-line, the digicam briefly flashes to Rapaport as he digs right into a meal, however as a substitute of utilizing a knife and fork usually, he seems to deliver his mouth right down to the dish, utilizing solely a fork to shovel meals from the plate. The short second was sufficient to spark a wave of reactions from followers, with many saying they had been stunned by Michael Rapaport’s uncommon behavior and questioning why the present even included the shot within the ultimate reduce.

It didn’t take lengthy for “The Traitors” viewers to zero in on Rapaport’s fast on-camera meal, and the reactions had been brutal. One commenter joked, “Can somebody verify on the plate?” whereas one other wrote, “My kids have higher desk manners, and THAT’S saying so much.”

Others mentioned they’d by no means seen anybody eat like that earlier than, with one individual posting, “I’ve by no means seen anybody try this in my life!!! However positive … it WOULD be HIM!!!!!”

The clip additionally appeared to pour gasoline on already simmering frustration, with followers utilizing the second as another excuse to tug him on-line. One viewer known as him “Every thing I aspire NOT to be in life,” whereas one other went even tougher, writing, “He is disgusting and a disgusting human being.”

Underwood instantly pushed again. “There it’s. You assume it was enjoyable for 29 years of my life?” he snapped again, as Rapaport shortly tried to backpedal and insisted his remark had “nothing to do with it.”

Exterior the present, Rapaport instructed TMZ, “I did converse to [Underwood] proper after filming. We had an amazing man-to-man dialog, and all the things was very cool and respectful. I like him and need him and his household the very best.”

Underwood has additionally addressed the controversy and acknowledged the remark introduced up actual feelings tied to his previous. In a post-episode interview, Underwood mentioned he isn’t “holding a grudge,” however admitted the comment was triggering and bolstered why he felt it was vital to face up for himself within the second.

Rapaport hasn’t precisely been a stranger to controversy, and “The Traitors” backlash is simply the newest chapter in a sample that’s been constructing for some time. Simply final yr, Rapaport sparked backlash after sharing what gave the impression to be an AI-generated picture depicting a Holocaust sufferer.

Whereas the put up shortly gained traction, pulling in practically 10,000 likes and greater than 1,200 shares inside hours, specialists weren’t shopping for it. The Auschwitz Memorial and Museum publicly pushed again, warning towards spreading pretend, AI-generated imagery linked to Auschwitz and calling it a harmful distortion that disrespects victims and their reminiscence.