Saturday Night Live has once again found itself in the midst of controversy with allegations of joke theft, a recurring theme throughout its nearly 50-year history. Comedians have often voiced their frustrations, claiming that their material has been appropriated by the show. While some claims, like a recent one involving a sketch by Andrew Dismukes and a New York comedian’s stand-up routine, may seem flimsy—both poking fun at Train’s hit “Hey Soul Sister”—others are gaining more traction.
A notable recent instance involves the cult comedy group The Whitest Kids U’ Know, which has raised eyebrows regarding a sketch aired during John Mulaney’s recent SNL episode. According to entertainment insider Matt Belloni, the “Beppo the monkey astronaut” sketch featured on SNL bears a striking resemblance to a similar skit from The Whitest Kids U’ Know titled “Bo Bo the Monkey,” first aired about 15 years ago.
Though The Whitest Kids U’ Know have not formally complained, the similarities are hard to ignore:
– Both sketches center around a monkey astronaut: Beppo and Bo Bo.
– The settings are nearly identical, featuring a mission control room with scientists dressed in white shirts, ties, and horn-rimmed glasses.
– In both narratives, the beloved monkey faces the dire fate of not returning to Earth, leading to emotional distress among the scientists.
– The comedic tension lies in the monkeys’ attempts to communicate their plight, ultimately resulting in a disastrous explosion in both sketches, though SNL adds an unexpected twist.
Fans of The Whitest Kids U’ Know have begun drawing parallels, suggesting that this case of laughed-at misfortune might warrant more serious reflection than usual. While many accusations of SNL’s sketch theft tend to stem from shared concepts or ideas, this instance presents a more uncanny resemblance that raises questions about originality.
In a landscape where creativity can often lead to overlaps in comedic themes, it serves as a reminder of the importance of originality in entertainment. As the discourse continues, it presents an opportunity for the comedy community to discuss and navigate the fine line between inspiration and imitation, ultimately fostering a more respectful creative environment. This situation can encourage comedians to develop unique voices and stories derived from their experiences while acknowledging influences.
Summary: SNL faces accusations of sketch theft again, particularly referencing their recent “Beppo the monkey astronaut” sketch resembling one from The Whitest Kids U’ Know. While similarities raise questions, the incident emphasizes the ongoing dialogue about originality and creativity in comedy.