Part 14/17:
The shift from traditional satire to hypersensitive social commentary has led to widespread dissatisfaction among audiences and comedians alike. Saturday Night Live, once the gold standard of comedy, has notably fallen into irrelevance, resorting to safe, often uninspired sketches that generate outrage rather than laughter.
Recent episodes have seen the show apologize for making fun of individuals based on physical appearance—most notably actress Amy Lou Wood of The White Lotus. A skit caricatured her distinct teeth using prosthetics, which she found hurtful and off-base, especially given her candid interviews about her insecurities. Despite the show's long-established tradition of satire, the apology issued by SNL indicates a decline in the comedic willingness to push boundaries boldly.