SNL’s Tucker Carlson Parody Slams Met Gala and ‘Michael’ Biopic
Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” leaned into political satire during its May 9 episode, featuring a high-energy appearance by featured player Jeremy Culhane as former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The sketch focused on Carlson’s trademark brand of outrage, targeting everything from high-fashion events to biographical cinema.
Tearing Down the Met Gala
Appearing alongside co-hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che, the Carlson character wasted no time unloading on the annual fashion fundraiser held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In a biting critique of the event’s extravagance, Culhane’s Carlson described the attendees as prancing around in “$100,000 clown outfits” while the “American empire crumble[s].”
The parody took specific aim at several high-profile guests and their avant-garde attire:
- The Rock: Carlson mocked the actor’s outfit, claiming that seeing “The Rock in a skirt” is a sign of “gender confusion.”
- Madonna: The sketch poked fun at the singer’s tribute to the Virgin Mary, specifically highlighting the “huge pirate ship on her head.”
- Heidi Klum: Carlson described Klum’s veiled statue look as the left finally achieving their goal of putting “the Statue of Liberty in a burqa.”
Conspiracies and Biopics
The humor shifted from fashion to absurdity when Colin Jost mentioned that Carlson resides in Maine. This prompted the character to launch into a conspiracy theory regarding the state’s spelling, questioning the silent “E” and suggesting it stands for “Euphoria.”
The segment then pivoted to the Michael biopic. Rather than focusing on the controversies surrounding Michael Jackson’s life, the Carlson character complained that the film ended in 1988, thereby ignoring what he called the part of Jackson’s life “no one wants to talk about anymore”—the period when he “was a white man.” He punctuated the critique with a play on the singer’s famous catchphrase, stating, “‘Shamona’ — more like ‘shame on ya.’”
The sketch concluded with a final jab at A$AP Rocky’s red carpet appearance, with Carlson stating that Rocky wore his “least favorite color, African American.”
Key Takeaways from the Episode
- Featured Performer: Jeremy Culhane portrayed Tucker Carlson.
- Primary Targets: The Met Gala, the Michael biopic, and various celebrities including The Rock and Madonna.
- Episode Host: The May 9 show was hosted by Matt Damon.
- Musical Guest: Noah Kahan performed during the episode.
Looking Ahead: The Season 51 Finale
As Saturday Night Live wraps up its 51st season, the show is preparing for a high-profile finale next week. The upcoming closing episode will feature Will Ferrell as host and legendary musician Paul McCartney as the musical guest.