On December 14, Saturday Night Live tackled the peculiar fascination surrounding Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, with a cold open featuring cast member Sarah Sherman portraying the infamous true crime commentator, Nancy Grace. This skit delved deeply not only at the strange fixation the public has developed for Mangione since his arrest but also the satire of societal reactions to violent crime.
Taking inspiration from Grace's sensational and often outrageous style, Sherman donned her signature blonde wig and leather jacket, asserting, “This healthcare assassin has got women and gay guys all hot and bothered.” The line quickly encapsulated the juxtaposition of the serious nature of Mangione’s alleged actions with the lighter, absurd treatment they often receive online. Mangione, who gained notoriety for the brazen shooting of Thompson on December 4 outside his New York hotel, has sparked bewilderment as some social media users have dubbed him a sex symbol.
Fumbling the conduit through which the disturbing news is usually delivered, Sherman-as-Grace unabashedly declared, “I mean, seriously? This guy looks like Dave Franco with Eugene Levy’s eyebrows.” Her over-the-top manipulation of Grace’s character served to illuminate the ridiculousness of glorifying someone accused of murder. The sketch immediately turned attention to the absurdity of people perceiving danger as attraction.
The sketch escalated as it involved Kenan Thompson, who portrayed someone interviewed at the McDonald's where Mangione was apprehended on December 9 after being recognized by staff. “Can you believe people were attracted to this sexy slayer?” Grace asked the character played by Thompson, who offered, “Women love bad boys,” referring to the allure of Mangione’s alleged tough-guy persona.
Meanwhile, the cold open did not shy away from poking fun at the contemporary phenomenon of online "true crime" obsessions, where ordinary people find themselves wrapped up not only by the crime itself but by the subjects of those crimes. This phenomenon can lead to outrageous reactions, with Sherman reading real “thirst tweets” about Mangione, lamenting the strange societal pleasure derived from such unwanted attention: “I hope BDE stands for Behavior That’s Evil,” she quipped.
Throughout the skit, advertisements typical to YouTube viewing interrupted the flow, creating humorous interludes, with one scene featuring Marcello Hernandez as he shilled erectile dysfunction solutions. This clever device mirrored the distraction many experience when watching videos online, another nod to the way sensationalism can distract from serious matters.
After exploding online following his alleged killing of Thompson—who was shot at point-blank range—the 26-year-old Mangione initially escaped arrest and had the attention of social media posts celebrating his looks and supposed charisma. The attention unfurling from such heinous acts often highlights not just the crime but societal failings to treat such violence with the seriousness it merits.
One cannot help but feel the urgency of the criticism toward modern society’s attitudes toward crime. Sherman, channeling Grace's outrage during the skit, highlighted parts of the public discourse surrounding Mangione and the assumption of his allure, questioning repeatedly during her portrayal, “What’s going on in this country?”
The satire has been met with mixed reactions, as viewers initially may find amusement but it’s imperative to dissect the core societal notions behind such humor. It’s also worth observing how far these sketches can stray from the line of light-heartedness to being potentially distasteful, frequently diverting from the seriousness of the crime itself.
Notably, Chris Rock hosted the episode, marking his fourth appearance on the show. Rock addressed the death of Thompson, subtly critiquing the admiration for Mangione, saying, “I have condolences for the CEO but sometimes drug dealers get shot.” This statement showcases another layer to the complexity of public responses to crime.
Whether it was Sherman’s impersonation or Rock’s analysis, the evening’s programming highlighted the conflicting sentiments attaching to the Mangione case: outrage for the brutality of the crime versus the societal fixation on the offender's appearance. SNL’s 50th Season has brought attention to relevant topics, proving once again the power of late-night comedy to engage with real-world issues.
Saturday Night Live continues its legacy of blending humor with commentary, engaging viewers to reconsider the narratives driving public perception around criminal cases like Mangione’s. Engaging such narratives with comedy may enlighten but it also challenges the audience's views on morality and societal norms.
