In June 2020, Stern faced criticism for a 1993 sketch from his "New Year’s Rotten Eve Pageant" special in which he appeared in blackface. Stern had previously denied having used the N-word during an interview on "The View", but used the word several times in the segment. Addressing the renewed controversy, Stern stated: "The shit I did was fucking crazy ... I’ll be the first to admit. I won’t go back and watch those old shows; it’s like, who is that guy. But that was my shtick, that’s what I did and I own it." Quivers and Stern both stated that both he and the show have "evolved" over the years.