Every season of Saturday Night Live seems to spark debates among comedians over alleged joke theft, a trend that continues with the latest accusations against the iconic show. While some complaints seem trivial, such as a recent stand-up comedian’s assertion that SNL’s “Hey Soul Sister” sketch mirrored his material, others appear more substantial.
The Whitest Kids U’ Know, a popular sketch comedy group from the 2000s, might have a stronger case after a recent sketch featuring a monkey astronaut named Beppo aired on SNL. Observers, including Matt Belloni, have noted its striking similarities to a sketch titled “Bo Bo the Monkey” from the Whitest Kids U’ Know, which debuted approximately 15 years ago.
The two sketches share several notable elements: both feature monkey astronauts with alliterative names—Beppo in SNL’s version and Bo Bo in the original. The setting for both comedic pieces occurs in a mission control room filled with white-shirted scientists wearing neckties and horn-rimmed glasses. The central narrative revolves around the heart-wrenching dilemma of each monkey not being able to return to Earth. In both cases, the monkeys display emotional manipulation, pleading to stay alive with limited dialogue, while the lead scientists make the difficult choice to sever communication to avoid hearing the monkeys’ pleas. Both sketches conclude with explosive resolutions involving the monkeys, although SNL presents a unique twist in its ending.
While some fans may chalk up the similarities to coincidental parallel thinking and shared comedic premises, the resemblance between these two sketches raises questions about originality and inspiration in comedy. Any potential realizations will likely ignite further discussions about creativity and respect among comedic creators.
Overall, while disputes over joke theft may continue, what remains is the vibrant landscape of comedy, where ideas often overlap and evolve—showcasing the genre’s dynamic nature. The dialogue this generates can contribute positively to the comedy community, encouraging originality and innovation.