On <em>SNL</em>, the Struggle (For Power) Was Real
In last night’s episode, the show took on the midterm elections, one stolen scene at a time.
This season of Saturday Night Live has leaned heavily on inaction, with sketch after sketch focusing on Donald Trump's presence overpowering the performers. Donald Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, interrupts comedy by storming the stage, leaving his fellow performers frozen and unable to react. The gags work because they don't quite land, with stars like Kenan Thompson transformed into audience members trying to suppress their laughter.
The freeze-frame device, however, effectively highlights Trump's ability to interrupt and astound, making him a modern-day Medusa. While the freeze frames have become less effective, last night's episode made them the point. The opening sketch depicted Senate Democrats Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer celebrating their historic midterm victory, only for Trump's arrival to render them inert.
The sketch highlighted the dynamics of American politics, where power is often a matter of attention and which politician can command the spotlight. The episode's host, Druski, made a fitting debut, skewering political race dynamics and becoming the first digital creator to host SNL. His cold open mirrored the real-world dynamics of the digital economy, with images vying for primacy.
Last night's episode recognized this shift, making the new scene stealer, Senator-Elect James Talarico, the center of attention. Talarico, a fresh face who helped turn Texas blue, upstaged everyone else, including the leaders of the legislative establishment, in a nod to the changing political landscape. While the episode ended with Talarico joking about wanting something new, the reality was that change, while desired, is harder to achieve than it appears.
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