Saturday Night Livetook some time out of its 50th Anniversary Special to apologize for some of itspast controversial sketches, and viewer reaction has proven divisive.Over the years, the popular late-night comedy sketch show has parodied and poked fun at everything from culture, class, ethnicity, politics, celebrity, and more, and has often courted controversy during its time on the air. The show has also had its share of controversial cast members over the years and has had a number of jokes that have aged poorly in the current cultural, political, and social climate.
During a slot inSNL’s chaotic 50th Anniversary Specialon February 16, Hollywood actor Tom Hanks took the stage to present a segment where he informed the audience thatSNLacknowledges it has previously included sketches and skits that have aged poorly, and that it was apologizing for this. Hanks' comments were then followed by a series of clips of some ofSNL’s most controversial skits. The segment has proven divisive, with many viewers wondering whose idea it was, while others praised it. Check out the segment, and reactions to it, below:
The clip shows skits and sketches that joked about things like sexual harassment, sexism, ethnic stereotyping, gay panic, and more.
Viewer @allaboutbat posted, “Whose idea was this?”
@Zigmanfreud commented that the segment was a big part of why the show was no longer funny.
This idea was supported by @melfeelswaggish, who commented, “Most of this is exactly why the show isn’t funny anymore.”
@ashkan had a different view, posting, “As always, brilliant. You guys are the GOATs. Congrats.”
@KibandiFilms gushed “This was fantastic. Lololol.”
While @elvisfan05 praised the segment, stating, “Hilarious. Great show.”
What These Reactions Mean For SNL’s Take On Their Most Controversial Skits
The Show’s Acknowledgment Of Them Has Led Many To Question What Constitutes Comedy
Viewer reaction has been divisive to this issue, which serves to make the key point about what comedy is, and what it exists to do. The detractors will argue that these sketches were funny in the era they existed in, and cultural changes do not stop that from being the case, as well as the fact that some ofSNL’s best-ever skitshave pushed boundaries. There is also the idea that comedy should push boundaries, and is always liable to upset some people, and that there is no need to apologize for a 10-year old joke having aged poorly.
Self-censorship is important in the arts, but comedy is not something that should be censored, because otherwise it dilutes the whole point and purpose of comedy.
On the flip side, those praising the segment seem to be driving the idea that certain jokes can be offensive and hurtful regardless of when they were made, and that acknowledging this and moving forward from it in a positive way is the best stance to take. Entertainment exists to entertain, first and foremost, but it does have a degree of responsibility for the way in which it presents that entertainment. This is never an issue that all viewers are going to agree on, and,ultimately,SNLhad to take the approach they felt was best for them.
Our Verdict On SNL Acknowledging Past Controversies
Self-Censorship Is Important, But It Shouldn’t Extend To Comedy
Self-censorship is important in the arts, but comedy is not something that should be censored, because otherwise it dilutes the whole point and purpose of comedy. Many comedians use comedy to push boundaries, make important points, and parody silliness, and trying to censor something that’s subjective is never a good thing. While I can understand whySNLchose to have this segment, I don’t believe it was needed, and the show could simply have accepted that some jokes worked in their era but are no longer appropriate, and chose not to do those jokes anymore.
Saturday Night Live
Cast
Saturday Night Live is a live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels, premiering in 1975. It features comedy sketches parodying contemporary culture and politics, performed by a rotating cast. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest and includes musical performances.
