Veteran Canadian broadcaster Ron MacLean issued a public apology after a joke about the drug commonly known as ‘roofies’ aired during the Stanley Cup Final broadcast.
A Misstep on Live TV
The comment came during a parody skit that riffed on the 2009 film The Hangover, in which the fictional characters are depicted as unconscious after taking the drug. In the live segment, MacLean referenced the slang term while describing a scene involving the Stanley Cup keepers who were shown lying on the ice.
Audience members quickly flagged the reference as insensitive, given the term’s association with sexual assault. MacLean later acknowledged the gravity of the word and expressed regret for the on‑air remark, stating that he should have considered the potential impact before making the joke.
This is not the first time the longtime Hockey Night in Canada host has faced criticism for his on‑air comments. In 2021 he apologized for a homophobic joke, and he was present during Don Cherry’s 2019 rant about immigrants that ultimately led to Cherry’s dismissal from the network.
The incident unfolded during a broadcast that originated from Las Vegas, Nevada, highlighting the global reach of the Stanley Cup coverage and the diverse audiences tuning in from both Canada and the United States.
Sportsnet, the cable channel that carries the Hockey Night in Canada feed, and its parent organization, Hockey Night in Canada, have both issued statements reaffirming their commitment to responsible broadcasting, while the CBC’s production team is reviewing future skits to avoid similar missteps.