Will Ferrell's surprise appearance during Netflix's broadcast of the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday night was met with a largely negative response from viewers. Fans took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to express their disappointment with Ferrell's comedic routine and the overall broadcast quality.
During the event at Citizens Bank Park, Ferrell's segment, described as a "sport ball" routine, was criticized for being uninspired and lacking humor. One user posted, "No he's not lol. This is cringe as hell. If these guys are announcing the whole time I'm about to mute this. We have fallen so far from Chris Berman." Another comment read, "Get these a**holes away from the microphone, or we're all turning it off."
The criticism extended to the broadcast's technical issues and the performance of other on-air personalities. Elle Duncan, who had previously faced criticism, was also a focal point of fan discontent. OutKick founder Clay Travis questioned Netflix's decision to make Duncan "the face and voice of Netflix Sports."
Comparisons were drawn to past Home Run Derby broadcasts, with some lamenting a perceived decline in quality. The negative reception marked a stark contrast to Ferrell's previous successful comedic endeavors, with some observers noting that his performance felt "old."