Not just the powerful, but people who were seen as outsiders, as well. It was very much a show for an elite group of people who were making fun of everyone else.”
As SNL celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s important to reflect on the show’s legacy and impact on popular culture. While it has certainly produced iconic moments and launched the careers of many talented individuals, it’s also worth considering the criticisms leveled against the show for its lackluster humor and questionable treatment of marginalized groups.
Ultimately, SNL’s success and longevity can be attributed to its ability to adapt and evolve with the times. However, it’s essential to recognize the role that Lorne Michaels, as the show’s creative director, has played in shaping its comedic sensibilities and political outlook. As SNL continues to entertain audiences for years to come, it’s important to hold it accountable for the messages it sends and the impact it has on society as a whole.
But the decision to have him host was met with backlash, with some cast members publicly expressing their discomfort with his presence. Bowen Yang, one of the show’s few Asian cast members, posted a photo of Musk on Instagram with a caption that simply read, “What the f*** does this even mean?” And cast member Aidy Bryant shared a tweet from Senator Bernie Sanders criticizing the wealth gap in America, seemingly in response to Musk’s appearance on the show.
Despite its reputation as a hotbed of comedy and creativity, Saturday Night Live has often found itself on the wrong side of history. Its treatment of women, people of color, and marginalized communities has been called into question time and time again. And while it has provided a platform for countless talented performers over the years, it has also perpetuated harmful stereotypes and allowed powerful figures to whitewash their public image.
As the show enters its 50th season, it remains to be seen whether SNL will continue to evolve and adapt to the changing cultural landscape, or if it will continue to be a relic of a bygone era, a reminder of the unchecked power and privilege that often comes with being part of the comedy elite.
One thing is certain: as long as Saturday Night Live remains on the air, it will continue to be a lightning rod for controversy and criticism, a mirror reflecting back the best and worst of our society, for better or for worse.
“Pero él ya había estado sembrando dudas sobre las vacunas contra el Covid cuando subió al escenario con un pañuelo cubriendo su boca y nariz: un símbolo perfecto del centrismo sin postura de SNL.
Trump fue anfitrión de SNL en 2015, meses después de anunciar su primera candidatura a la presidencia, lo cual muchos argumentaron que, después de su victoria, era equivalente a un respaldo. “La gente piensa que soy controvertido”, dijo Trump – que indudablemente tiene buen sentido del humor – en su monólogo. “Pero la verdad es que soy una buena persona. No guardo rencor contra nadie.”
Garrett Morris, el primer intérprete negro en SNL, le dijo al Guardian el año pasado que cuando se unió al elenco, observó los problemas fundamentales del programa en primera persona: “Diré hasta el fin de mis días: los escritores de Lorne tenían mucho racismo en marcha”.
“Yo llamaría a SNL conservador en el sentido de que el liberalismo es conservador”, dijo Thrasher. “El liberalismo incluye a Barack Obama riendo con Donald Trump. El liberalismo incluye a numerosos senadores votando a favor de varios nominados de Trump, incluso si no votan por todos. En su mayoría, no desafía al poder”.
SNL es muchas cosas, pero un faro de comedia valiente y ajena no es una de ellas. Y está bien: pero el resto de nosotros deberíamos dejar de pretender lo contrario.