A Controversial Start to Season 50
Saturday Night Live (SNL) kicked off its 50th season with a skit poking fun at Spirit Halloween, the seasonal costume retailer. The humorous jab didn’t sit well with Spirit Halloween, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their displeasure. The retailer posted an image of an SNL costume labeled as an “irrelevant 50-year-old TV show,” with the tagline, “We’re really good at bringing the dead back to life.” This set the stage for a public clash between the iconic show and the beloved Halloween retailer.
Outrage Sparked by the Skit
During the season premiere on September 28, SNL aired a mock commercial parodying Spirit Halloween. Narrator Heidi Gardner highlighted the struggles faced by local communities, stating, “Times may be good on Wall Street, but Main Street is struggling.” The skit painted a bleak picture of shuttered businesses and empty parking lots, creating a tone of satire. Gardner added, “But help is on the way,” while cast members portraying Spirit Halloween employees celebrated the retailer’s questionable accomplishments. The humor continued as Michael Longfellow explained how the store offers “itchy wigs, single-use fog machines, and slightly altered costumes to avoid lawsuits.” The skit ended with the cast joking that Spirit Halloween would only last for six weeks before disappearing on November 1.
Audience Reaction and Backlash
Fans and viewers quickly reacted to the skit, with many feeling that SNL’s humor had crossed a line. Spirit Halloween’s criticism echoed the sentiments of fans who felt the show was out of touch. As one user pointed out, “You can’t just drop a bomb like that without an explanation,” while others expressed surprise at the timing of the skit, given its humorous yet critical nature. The backlash highlighted the delicate balance that comedy shows must maintain in addressing sensitive topics.
Bowen Yang Addresses Controversy
In response to the backlash, SNL cast member Bowen Yang also faced criticism for his jokes about singer Chappell Roan during the “Weekend Update” segment. Yang, dressed as the popular character “Moo Deng,” commented on the need for personal boundaries. He emphasized, “Women don’t owe you anything,” sparking discussions about the use of Roan’s mental health struggles as comedy material. Yang later clarified on Instagram that he meant no disrespect to Roan, acknowledging her request for personal boundaries as valid and reasonable. He expressed his desire to connect the conversation to broader themes of mental health and respect.
Navigating Humor and Sensitivity
The premiere also targeted the upcoming presidential election, featuring Maya Rudolph as Vice President Kamala Harris. The cast included impressions of political figures such as James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump, Dana Carvey as Joe Biden, and Jim Gaffigan as Governor Tim Walz. With its blend of political satire and pop culture references, SNL continues to navigate the line between humor and sensitivity, especially in its landmark 50th season. As the show moves forward, it remains to be seen how it will adjust its comedic approach in response to audience feedback and current social dynamics.
