Saturday Night Live wasted no time delving deep this week, parodying our obsession with crime stories through the lens of the shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The cold open, hosted by comedian Sarah Sherman as the sensational Nancy Grace, turned the spotlight on the alleged killer, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who has become something of a twisted icon since his arrest.
The parody opened with Sherman’s biting commentary: "The masked CEO shooter has been unmasked, and guess what? It’s game over, Luigi. And of course, everyone online celebrated the hard work of law enforcement... Just kidding, y’all suckas made him a sex symbol!" It swiftly addressed the bizarre reaction to Mangione’s mugshot, which had taken the internet by storm.
The details of the case are all too real. Mangione stands accused of fatally shooting Thompson on December 4. Following this, he was apprehended five days later at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, igniting days of rampant speculation across social media. It’s not just the crime itself but rather the peculiar interest surrounding Mangione—a man described by Sherman as someone who has “got women and gay guys alike hot and bothered.”
But why, am I right? This brings us to Kenan Thompson's portrayal of Darnell Davis, who humorously chimed in during the segment: "I mean, you could look at him and tell he had hoes. Women love bad boys. You know, back in the day you could impress your old lady with a little poem. Now you gotta write a manifesto." The jest highlights the peculiar, sometimes absurd nature of societal attraction to figures often misunderstood through media sensationalism.
Joining the satirical spree was Emil Wakim, who appeared to mimic Mangione’s look. He offered his own humorous take, sharing how even amid chaos, he was inundated with "the horniest DMs of my life" after the news broke. "I mean, I haven’t paid for a meal in Brooklyn in days," shared Wakim, weaving his personal experience with the absurdity of the situation.
This sketch also delved deep, poking fun at the intrusive nature of mid-sentence YouTube ads, which have become all too familiar to us. The interruption elicits laughter, mirroring the frenzied social media environment where real life often collides with entertainment.
Later on, the returning host Chris Rock delivered his opening monologue, questioning the bizarre nature of the news, much like Sherman had. “There’s a lot going on out there,” Rock said, capturing the chaotic sentiment swirling around the story. He noted the bizarre public fixation on Mangione’s looks and remarked, “If he looked like Jonah Hill, no one would care.”
Rock struck a somber note as he reflected on the violence at play, acknowledging the family affected by the tragedy. His words remind us of the heavy reality behind the comedic façade: “But he actually killed a man. A man with [a] family, a man with kids,” he said, humanizing the narrative even amid the humor.
Of course, the episode wasn’t without its musical flair. Fans were treated to the debut of Gracie Abrams, who added another dimension to the night, along with surprise appearances, including beloved comic Adam Sandler.
What makes this segment so compelling is its duality. It managed to critique the often grotesque fascination with crime stories, explore the dynamics of attraction to wrongdoers, and perfectly encapsulate the current societal climate. By the end of the skit, viewers were left chuckling, yet perhaps reflecting on the serious undertones beneath the laughter.
Indeed, SNL strikes again! Within the span of comedic gold, it illuminated the absurdities of contemporary society as we hold court over crime, infatuation, and the nature of our collective attention.