In a statement to Asylum on Tuesday, comedian David Spade reacted to the negative backlash that has accompanied his new DirecTV ad featuring deceased actor Chris Farley. “When Direct TV came to me and the Farley family with this idea about Tommy Boy, we talked and thought it would be a cool way to remind people just how funny Chris was,” David says in response to criticism claiming he’s selling out his late friend’s memory. “It is a clever homage to my friend and a movie that we loved doing.”

DirecTV also fails to see what all the fuss is about: “We should look to Chris’ family and friends for the ultimate opinion on this subject. They were involved from the beginning of this project and felt that the spot was a great to tribute to Chris,” says a spokesperson for the company.

The controversial ad features Chris in his “fat guy in a little coat scene” from the hit comedy Tommy Boy, which co-starred Spade. Chris Farley died of heart failure due to an overdose in 1997.