What Next | Daily News and Analysis Can SNL Meet the Moment?
Nov 14, 2024
Sam Adams, a senior editor and writer for Slate, dives into the challenges faced by Saturday Night Live in the current political landscape. He questions whether the show can effectively satirize figures like Donald Trump, whose absurdity often surpasses parody. The discussion explores the history of political satire on SNL, the struggle to balance humor with serious discourse, and how the show might adapt in uncertain times. Adams also reflects on SNL's potential for innovation as it approaches its 50th season, emphasizing the vital role of comedic commentary.
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Politics As Celebrity, Not Policy
- Sam Adams argues SNL treats politics as celebrity rather than policy and often focuses on personalities over substance.
- That approach can make satire feel toothless when political stakes are existential and policies matter more than personas.
The 2016 Hillary Piano Moment
- Sam Adams recalls being pained by SNL's 2016 Hillary Clinton piano moment as an example of misguided response.
- He says that maudlin bit felt exactly like the kind of thing critics would point to and mocked Democrats for.
Impressions Create Lasting Characters
- SNL builds impressions from 'handles'—repeated verbal tics, posture, and mannerisms—to create enduring caricatures.
- Those caricatures can reshape public memory of a politician, sometimes more than real coverage does.