For almost five decades, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) has remained an extremely popular television show. “SNL” is known for its entertainment through humorous, satire, and current events commentary. Often it also has celebrity hosts that join an award-winning ensemble cast to perform clever sketches that are aimed at politics, pop culture, and issues of society. However, the underlying ways “SNL” impacts society is an important topic.
Political Humor
One of the most important skits on “SNL” is political comedy. Recently, “SNL” has been mimicking political people and events. James Austin Johnson played former President Joe Biden and turned his controversial actions into a hilarious skit. The created sketch was made not to mock Biden, but to question public perception and his leadership position, as someone who sometimes lacks communication. “SNL” convinces viewers to laugh at politics while also contemplating leadership and political power.
The second most targeted character for the skits was President Donald Trump. “SNL” has repeatedly used Trump based skits to reflect on the way political scandals and legal issues are framed in the media. These skits remind the audience that no matter how much time passes, political figures shape conversation. While also conveying that comedy plays a big part in how we process that.
By mocking politicians, “SNL” makes politics easy for their audience to engage in. The skits don’t just give a good laugh; they leave the audience with thoughts about prominent leaders of the USA and other countries.
Aaron Le, a junior at State High, explained his view on how “SNL” portrays politics, emphasizing the impact of audience engagement.
“I find most ‘SNL’ skits very funny, but I find the Trump skits, especially funny as like, I’m very interested in politics one and I find they’re very over the top depictions of Trump as, um funny…I also think it’s interesting that they bring all these scandals and make fun of not only Trump, but like both sides, like making fun of Biden as, like an old person and whatnot, and I think think it;s just in great fun,” Le said.
Commentary on Social Media and Technology
Along with political commentary skits, “SNL” has also created sketches about social media and technology,. A sketch that aired recently was aimed at influencer culture, which dominates social media. In the skit, a panel of influencers endorse a ridiculous product, “premium” bottled water, highlighting the way social media stars endorse products to their followers. Influencers usually sell their personality behind a product rather than the actual product. The skit also makes fun of people who build their brand through social media.
This SNL skit reminds viewers that social media usually isn’t real life. SNL mocking influencer culture pushed people to be more open to how social media affects their lives.
Another recent skit was about the rapid rise of AI. During the skit, a dating app used AI technology to predict everything about a person’s relationship, even before it actually happened. It is a comedy based on the absurdity of how the AI predicts a couple’s future. Also, it shows concern with privacy, control, and an over involvement of technology in personal lives. As AI gets bigger in everyday life, SNL shows strange and scary ways technology has been evolving in the way we interact with other people.
Jackie Eveleth, a junior at State High, shared her perspective on the future of AI technology.
“I think it’s really interesting how AI is portrayed by the public and by society and how people think it’s gonna affect our daily lives within the next however many years…It’s interesting how SNL itself is portraying AI to be a comedic and funny thing rather than a serious topic that is prevalent in our society,” Eveleth said.
Social Escape
While SNL is fast with social commentary, the show also knows how to apply absurd humor. Usually, comedy gives relief when there is political or social tension. Some of its recent sketches have given viewers a break from tensions in their everyday life. A popular skit with Baby Yoda has become a hit with fans. Baby Yoda’s innocent and mischievous character makes him an escape for many of the issues that seem to populate SNL most of the time.
SNL reminds us that humor helps balance our social life. Partially, when feeling overwhelmed by life, pure entertainment and fun can be an escape that attracts people to SNL.
The Role of Comedy in Society
The new sketches on SNL highlight that comedy is something more than what individuals expect to make them laugh; it makes them think too. SNL points out the deceptions of life and creates skits where people can laugh and think harder. As the world evolves, so will SNL’s entertainment and how individuals view the way comedy shapes, challenges, and comments on society.
