Chris Rock returned to host “Saturday Night Live” for the fourth time on Saturday. The comedian delivered a provocative opening monologue that left the audience with mixed reactions. Rock aimed at various political figures, including President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
“Trump isn’t playing around about his mass deportation plans,” Rock stated, referencing Trump’s controversial policies. He’s working with the wealthiest African American in the world. That’s right, nobody knows how to get rid of people like a South African,” Rock quipped, referring to Musk, who was born in South Africa.
The joke about Musk didn’t land well with the audience, drawing groans rather than laughter. Rock pressed on, “Oh, he’s serious. Trump got Elon; they will put ’em in a rocket ship. Call it SpaceMex.”
Rock continued challenging the crowd with his edgy humor, addressing the perception of Trump’s future as a president. “Come on, man; this is not the most dignified job in the world. We’ve had presidents show up to the inauguration with pregnant slaves, okay?” he joked, hinting at the checkered history of American politics.
The comedian ventured into darker comedic territory. “You know the history of this country. You know how many rapists are in my wallet right now? Trying a cup of coffee in America costs seven rapists. And Trump’s going to get it down to three.”
Rock continued jokes on Trump and Musk, though they were not well-received
Rock also mentioned the notorious Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents.
“Erik and Lyle Menendez? Getting out of jail just in time to get deported. Trump is going to deport their ass, you murdering Mexicans,” Rock said, pushing the boundaries of his audience’s comfort.
Rock appeared in various sketches throughout the episode, showcasing his comedic versatility. One notable sketch featured him and other cast members portraying workers in a humorous scenario. The show also featured musical guest Gracie Abrams, who performed “The Secret of Us” and later returned to the stage for another song.
A surprise cameo by Adam Sandler during a sketch
Abrams is known as Taylor Swift’s former opener and the daughter of filmmaker J.J. Abrams. A highlight of the night was a surprise cameo by Adam Sandler in a sketch in which Rock played a doctor performing surgery. In the sketch, Rock’s character accidentally removes a patient’s gallbladder instead of their appendix due to a mistake by another surgeon.
The unsuspecting patient, played by Sandler, reveals the mix-up to the medical team, leading to a comedic moment in which blood humorously shoots out, covering the doctors from head to toe. Rock and Sandler have a long history together, having both starred on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s. Since then, they have co-starred in multiple movies, including The Longest Yard (2005), Grown Ups 2 (2013), and The Week Of (2018).
Rock’s hosting gig on SNL blended sharp political commentary, controversial humor, and memorable sketches, reflecting his signature style of tackling hard-hitting issues with a comedic twist. Though many were unhappy with the results, the episode took risks and featured fresh takes on familiar formats, delivering an entertaining night of comedy for viewers.
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
