It seems that the latest antics from Saturday Night Live, once a staple of American comedy, have missed the mark once again, straying into the realm of unintentional comedy. A former cast member, known for her height and peculiar humor, took to the stage with a brand of comedy that felt stuck in 2016, the year Donald Trump first took office. While the audience might have been primed for laughs, the jokes fell flatter than last week’s pancakes. This is not just a case of a comedian being unfunny; it illustrates a bigger issue at play—relevant comedic material appears to be thin on the ground in today’s political landscape.
During her performance, the comedian attempted to score points by labeling the Trump administration as “corrupt.” Ironically, this claim came amidst revelations regarding the current administration’s own questionable narratives, including Joe Biden’s fitness for office—a topic that seems to be a no-go zone for many comedians. The lack of creativity seems almost contagious, with writers resorting to tired tropes instead of fresh observations or humorous critiques. The audience’s muted responses suggested they, too, recognized when the comedic well has run dry.
In another eyebrow-raising detail, Democratic Congresswoman Bonnie Coleman recently claimed that the biggest threat to America today is white supremacists. This might give one pause—are they lurking behind every corner? Surely, in 2023, America faces a range of real challenges, yet the fixation on such topics could seem disconnected from the everyday lives of ordinary Americans—perhaps another sign of how out of touch some are with the actual issues at hand.
And speaking of protests, stand-up humor took another hit as a latest scene unfolded outside the Supreme Court where demonstrators rallied against Donald Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship. Surprisingly, many among the crowd didn’t appear to be fluent in English, raising questions about the motives and effectiveness of the protest. After all, when protesting a policy tied to American citizenship, wouldn’t it make sense to speak the country’s primary language? It’s almost as if the message got lost in translation.
Turning to Minnesota, it’s notable that even members of the Democratic party are focused on a puzzling priority: healthcare for 20,000 illegal immigrants. In a state grappling with real citizens’ issues, it’s concerning that elected officials prioritize those who can’t even vote. It seems the Democratic focus is shifting away from American citizens, leading some to wonder about their loyalties and agenda. Shouldn’t the interests of actual voters take precedent over those who are here unlawfully?
In the grand scheme of things, as political tides shift, talk of another impeachment of Donald Trump looms large on the horizon. The Democrats, who previously used impeachment as a political tool, may well find themselves reaching for it again. However, it will likely carry less weight than before, as the act has become increasingly casual—similar to how one might casually toss another kernel of popcorn into a bowl. Impeaching a president used to be a serious matter, something that shook the nation; now, it feels more like another Tuesday at the office—just another episode in a never-ending series of political drama.
As comedy, politics, and protest intersect, the real question might just be: Where do we go from here? With humor struggling to keep pace with the rest of the wild ride of American life, and political actions that seem more performative than effective, one can only hope that more engaging and genuine voices will rise to the occasion—because America deserves a good laugh, and maybe a good debate too.
