'SNL' Struggles with Controversial Sketches and Cast Changes

The cold-open sketch of "Saturday Night Live" addressing the congressional hearings on campus antisemitism was a tone-deaf and embarrassing rendering that sided with antisemitism. The sketch targeted Republican congresswoman Elise Stefanik instead of the university presidents who failed to condemn students calling for the genocide of Jews on their campuses. The sketch was comically unfunny and lacked relevance, highlighting how "SNL" has lost cultural capital in the face of edgier comedians who create comedy for the masses. The show's once sharp political imitators have become sycophantic, and its push for diversity has not translated into better comedy. The changing landscape of comedy, with platforms like YouTube and social media, has bypassed "SNL" as comedians create biting social commentary independently.