On a recent episode of “Saturday Night Live”, the cold open featured cast members playing concerned parents of New York City college students involved in protests. Hosted by Dua Lipa, the skit included Michael Longfellow as a talk show host who welcomed parents played by Heidi Gardner, Mikey Day, and Kenan Thompson. Longfellow expressed concern about university campus protests nationwide and asked for the parents’ comments. While Gardner and Day’s characters were worried about their children protesting Israel’s war against Hamas, Thompson’s character was supportive, until he realized his daughter was involved.
Thompson’s character, a Columbia student’s parent, was shocked to hear his daughter was protesting instead of attending class. He expressed his disapproval of his daughter joining the protests, stating that he supports other students but not his own. Thompson humorously mentioned the high tuition fees at Columbia University, highlighting the financial burden he carries to pay for his daughter’s education. He shared his various jobs, including Uber driving, selling goods out of his trunk, and life coaching, to cover the expensive tuition costs.
The skit humorously portrayed the tensions between parents and college students involved in protests, particularly focusing on the contrast between supporting other students’ activism and not wanting their own children to participate. The scene highlighted the financial struggles families face to afford higher education and how parents may view their investment in their children’s education differently when it comes to certain activities. The satirical take on the news story of student protests provided a comedic perspective on the serious issue of activism and parental concerns.
Meanwhile, in real life, protests erupted at Columbia University and The City College of New York with dozens of people arrested for their involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. At Columbia, 112 individuals were arrested, with almost 30% of them not affiliated with the university. At The City College of New York, 170 people were arrested, and 60% of them were not connected to the college. The demonstrations and resulting arrests shed light on the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the support for Palestine within college campuses.
As captured by CNN reporters Shimon Prokupecz, Mark Morales, and Celina Tebor, the protests at Columbia and The City College of New York reflect a larger movement of solidarity with Palestinians in response to the recent conflict with Israel. The involvement of individuals not linked to the universities in the demonstrations shows the broader support and interest in issues related to the Middle East conflict. The protests and subsequent police interventions underscore the complexities and debates surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how it impacts communities and campuses in the United States.
The intersection of comedy and current events on “Saturday Night Live” offers a unique platform to address pressing social and political issues through satire and humor. By portraying the parental perspective on student activism and protests, the show provides a lighthearted take on a serious topic, showcasing the different viewpoints and challenges faced by families and individuals when it comes to political engagement. The skit’s portrayal of parental reactions to their children’s involvement in demonstrations highlights the generational divide and differing opinions on activism, while also acknowledging the financial pressures families encounter in navigating higher education costs. The comedic approach to addressing the news story of student protests adds nuance and perspective to the ongoing conversations surrounding social justice movements and activism in the current cultural climate.
