‘The Good Fight’: Why did this show just mock Selena Gomez’s lupus battle?

There are just some jokes that aren’t even funny and should never be spoken, let alone aired on a TV show. For instance, someone with a severe illness. In a recent episode of the legal drama The Good Fight, the show made light of various sensitive issues including Selena Gomez and her battle with lupus.

The show quickly received major backlash from countless viewers and even Selena Gomez herself. Gomez swiftly went to Twitter to set the record straight on why lupus is no laughing matter. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a TV show joked about Selena Gomez’s serious kidney transplant due to lupus. Take a look at what The Good Fight said exactly and why lupus shouldn’t be used for comedic material.

The Good Fight jokingly references Gomez’s kidney transplant

On July 17th, the Paramount+ show aired an episode where characters Marrisa, Jay, and Jim debate on the topic of cancel culture, including what jokes each think aren’t safe to discuss.

Jay insists that comedians now “need a permission slip to tell a joke”. Actors Sarah Steele, Nyambi Nyambi, and Ifádansi Rashad play the three characters involved who then list “jokes” they believe are inappropriate. The coworkers cite topics such as “necrophilia”, “autism”, and “Selena Gomez’s kidney transplant” as jokes that would cause a person to be canceled in today’s climate.

As one would expect, the show’s scene received heat from not only Selena Gomez and her fans, but also those suffering from the serious disease and who have also undergone an organ transplant.

Selena Gomez responds to the tasteless joke

The singer took to Twitter once she heard about The Good Fight’s “joke”. Gomez wrote, “I am not sure how writing jokes about organ transplants for television shows has become a thing but sadly it has apparently.”

“I hope in the next writer’s room when one of these tasteless jokes are presented it’s called out immediately and doesn’t make it on air,” she continued, adding, “My fans always have my back. LOVE YOU.”

The singer also added a link to OrganDonor.gov, which is a website where you can sign up to become an organ, eye, or tissue donor. She wrote, “If you are able to please sign up to be an organ donor.”

Saved by the Bell joked about Gomez’s transplant

The Saved by the Bell reboot in 2020 also referenced the singer’s battle with lupus and her subsequent kidney transplant.

The episode followed two high-school students gossiping about the identity of Gomez’s donor after the school confiscated all their phones and students found themselves unable to read current trending news.

“I know for a fact that Selena Gomez’s kidney donor was Justin Bieber’s mom,” one student considered. “It was Demi Lovato’s kidney,” the other replied. “They’re best friends like you and I were.”

NBC quickly issued an apology after the episode aired and received negative feedback. Many believed that including the serious topic in such a frivolous scenario undermined the gravity of Selena Gomez’s dire health issues.

Selena Gomez’s kidney transplant and lupus awareness

Selena Gomez has always been transparent about her struggle with the autoimmune disease lupus. In 2017, the singer had to undergo a kidney transplant surgery due to the organ deterioration caused by the disease.

Selena Gomez received the kidney from her close friend Francia Raisa. When revealing the news on Instagram, she captioned the image, “I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery.” 

Gomez then thanked Raisa for her selfless act. “And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis.” 

Finally, the singer discussed how lupus is relatively unknown and where we can learn more about the serious autoimmune disease. She added, “Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith” 

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What do you think about The Good Fight’s joke about Selena Gomez’s battle with lupus? Let us know in the comments below!