back with a bang
A Skit from 'SNL's' first Episode Of Season 50 Has Divided People Online. Here's Why
"Saturday Night Live" was back on our screens this past weekend after four months away — and just one episode into season 50, the show is already causing controversy.
Cast member Bowen Yang has been accused of mocking pop star Chappell Roan after appearing on "SNL's" Weekend Update segment dressed as viral baby hippo Moo Deng and referring to a statement the singer shared about fame and her need for boundaries.
Roan has made headlines in recent weeks for being candid about the downsides to her success, including the stalking, harassment and abuse she has suffered at the hands of fans following her meteoric rise to stardom.
"I don't give a f*** if you think it's selfish of me to say no for a photo, or for your time or for a hug," she said in one TikTok video. "That's not normal, that's weird!"
leave moo deng alone! #SNLPremiere pic.twitter.com/ABtoN9pQkr
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) September 29, 2024
In the "SNL" skit, Yang, in the character of Moo Deng, hinted at Roan's comments, saying: "Reminder, women owe you nothing. When I am in my enclosure, tripping over stuff, biting my trainer's knee, I am at work. That is the project. Do not yell my name, or expect a photo, just because I am your parasocial bestie, or because you appreciate my talent."
fans of Roan have criticized the sketch, which they say makes a mockery of Roan's comments about her mental health — and some have accused Yang of hypocrisy, given that he expressed his love and admiration for Roan during an interview with her earlier this year.
Two men mocking a woman’s mental health real nice
— azzurro 🇵🇸 (@azzurrochurro) September 29, 2024
chappell’s family was stalked and she was sexually harassed. this is beyond unfunny https://t.co/LSokVISoTh
— lis (@simplytomh) September 29, 2024
he interviewed her not long ago and she said “thank you for interviewing me in a way where I felt seen” and now he’s making fun of her. https://t.co/X3y6y6xrcE
— lacy 🍂☕️ (@lacysupernova) September 29, 2024
Idk a lot of the Chappell Roan hate lately has been reminding me of the way the media and the public treated Amy Winehouse right until she passed away….. https://t.co/Oev2mjuHd2
— mazzy (@mazzypopstar) September 29, 2024
Yang himself has responded to the backlash and denied that the skit was intended to make fun of Roan. In an Instagram story, he wrote: "Oh geez, 'mocks'? If my personal stance and the piece aren't absolutely clear in terms of supporting [Roan] then there it is I guess."
"Everything she has ever asked for has been reasonable and even then we can connect it to another story about boundaries or whatever."
Bowen took a mental health break from his podcast last year while having a severe dissociative episode. He’s providing cultural commentary about how people are treating Chappell like a literal zoo animal, not making fun of her. Bowen Yang they could never make me hate you! https://t.co/06KmzJJmde pic.twitter.com/fWG0pGTyiq
— jen (@rocketharrys) September 29, 2024
there is nothing offensive about this. they’re literally just saying “stop treating Chappell Roan like a zoo animal.” get a grip you guys https://t.co/GNmdRfyE8y
— aj ✰ (@hiitschappell) September 29, 2024
I’m gonna be real the way most of you are reacting to this is psychotic it’s genuinely not that deep lol https://t.co/pHgviG0pfX
— Biblically Accurate Dua Lipa (@mimizima_) September 29, 2024
do i think the snl skit could be in good faith paralleling chappell’s treatment to a zoo animal to make a point? yes. do i think the gp will take it at face value and perpetuate the mockery of a lesbian woman’s mental health and boundaries? yes. https://t.co/uN8wvlyEX5
— ⭒ the lakes ⭒ (@belovedghostlor) September 29, 2024
[Image credit: @nbcsnl]