Criticism of SNL's Recent Direction
Musk's comments came after a segment in which Carvey impersonated him, wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat and making exaggerated claims about his influence. In the sketch, Carvey’s Musk declares, “I run the country now," and jokes that America is like one of his rockets—“super-cool and super-fun, but there’s a slight chance it could blow up and everybody dies."
Musk, never one to shy away from controversy, responded on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Carvey’s performance didn’t resemble him at all, writing, “Dana Carvey just sounds like Dana Carvey.” He also added, "SNL has become so woke" and is "so rarely funny these days."
Musk's Ongoing Discontent with SNL
This isn't the first time Musk has criticized the long-running sketch show. After hosting in 2021, he called out the show for being out of touch and disappointing. NPR’s review of that episode echoed similar sentiments, noting that it was “unworthy of all the hype” surrounding his appearance. Musk’s appearance, like his comments now, was met with mixed reactions, with many questioning the decision to feature a controversial public figure.
Musk also took aim at SNL's perceived political bias, referencing a past incident in which the show had a cameo from Vice President Kamala Harris before the 2020 election. NBC had to file a notice with the Federal Communications Commission after the appearance, citing equal airtime provisions for opposing candidates. Musk claimed that the appearance ultimately harmed Harris' campaign rather than helped it, adding that it "helped sink her campaign further."
The Trump and Musk Connection
In the November 9 cold open, the SNL cast humorously suggested they might align themselves with former President Donald Trump ahead of his potential second term, even claiming they would “go to Mars” with Musk in a worst-case scenario. This reference was a nod to Musk’s SpaceX ventures and his reputation as a tech mogul with ambitions to make humanity a multi-planetary species.
Musk’s ongoing complaints about SNL's political direction also reflect broader frustration with the show's content. He has frequently criticized the show’s focus on political humor, particularly during and after the Trump era, and has accused it of leaning too far to the left.
Other Celebrities’ Criticism of SNL
Musk isn’t the only celebrity to criticize SNL this season. In October, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher slammed the show for a Weekend Update segment in which his character, played by Sarah Sherman, bickered with his brother Noel. Gallagher called the impression "excruciating" and questioned whether the comedians involved were “meant to be comedians."
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s latest outburst adds to his ongoing tension with SNL, a show that has often found itself at the center of political and cultural debates. While Musk continues to express his dissatisfaction with the show’s direction, it remains to be seen how much impact his comments will have on SNL's ongoing popularity and relevance. Meanwhile, the show's creators continue to take aim at public figures through satire, even if it means sparking controversy along the way.
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