Even though he’s no longer gracing our television screens as a controversial Fox News presenter – having shifted his focus to platforms like X/Twitter and YouTube – Tucker Carlson continues to be a target for mainstream media satire. This time, it’s the latest instalment of Saturday Night Live (SNL) that’s brought the house down on social media, featuring an impression that has users in stitches.
During the popular ‘Weekend Update’ segment, comedian Jeremy Culhane, stepping into the shoes of ‘Carlson’, was prompted by host Colin Jost to share his thoughts on this year’s Oscar nominees, just ahead of the prestigious awards ceremony.
Culhane, in character, launched into a characteristic rant: “Where to even begin? Oh, I know! Why don’t we talk about Sinners – that’s right, Sinners, because of course, leftist woke America’s favourite movie this year is about sinning. Huh! Really? Why does that not surprise me? No, ‘sorry kids, we don’t go to church anymore, we go to Sinners, that’s the rule, that’s the goal now. What are we doing? What’s going on?”
His critique didn’t stop there. He then pivoted to lambast the spelling of Hamnet, with a bizarre claim that “they took the L and gave it to the GBTQ”. In a move that highlighted the absurdity of his persona, he repeatedly interjected with “excuse me” to Jost, even when Jost wasn’t speaking, creating a comedic non-sequitur.
A String of Satirical Targets
The SNL sketch continued to dissect other nominated films, with Culhane expressing confusion and disdain. He moved on to Bugonia, questioning, “Huh! Really? I guess heterosexual women aren’t allowed to have hair anymore.” His commentary on One Battle After Another was equally dismissive: “What is it? What’s going on? I’m genuinely asking, I did not see that movie.”
Social Media Reacts to the Impression
The comedic portrayal clearly resonated with viewers and industry insiders alike. Podcaster Eric Goldman was quick to laud Culhane’s performance, tweeting, “one hell of an impersonation.”
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Josh Billinson, from the news outlet Semafor, echoed the sentiment, describing the impression as “perfect.” Meanwhile, writer Richard Hanania offered a thoughtful observation: “I didn’t think you could parody Tucker because nothing is as absurd as the real thing, but this is good.” The consensus across social media was clear: the SNL team had successfully captured and amplified the perceived eccentricities of the commentator.
A Global Phenomenon and Local Adaptations
While audiences worldwide are tuning into the American iteration of SNL, a British version is set to make its debut. For viewers in the UK, a local adaptation of the long-running sketch comedy show is scheduled to premiere on Sky One on March 21st. This new venture promises to bring the signature humour and timely satire to a British audience, featuring a cast of talented comedians and theatre stars, including Ania Magliano, Larry Dean, Hammed Animashaun, and George Fouracres.
The continued presence of figures like Tucker Carlson in public discourse, and the subsequent satirical responses from shows like SNL, highlight the ongoing cultural conversations surrounding media, politics, and societal trends. The ability of sketch comedy to distil and exaggerate these elements for comedic effect remains a powerful form of commentary.
The broader appeal of SNL, both in its original form and through its international adaptations, underscores the universal nature of humour and its capacity to engage with contemporary issues. Whether it’s dissecting award shows or commenting on broader cultural shifts, the show continues to be a significant voice in the entertainment landscape.
