Saturday Night Live (SNL) has a long history of comedians alleging that the iconic show has appropriated their material. Recently, a complaint arose regarding a sketch featuring Andrew Dismukes’ “Hey Soul Sister,” which was similar to a New York stand-up’s bit. However, the claim seemed less substantial as both sketches riff on the same theme—mocking the cringe-worthy song by Train, a target of humor for many years.
More significantly, the sketch “Beppo the monkey astronaut,” which aired during a recent episode of SNL, has raised eyebrows regarding its resemblance to a previous sketch by The Whitest Kids U’ Know, a popular early 2000s comedy group. Matt Belloni pointed out the striking similarities in his column, highlighting the following parallels between the two sketches:
1. Both sketches center around a monkey astronaut, Beppo on SNL and Bo Bo with The Whitest Kids U’ Know.
2. They are set in a mission control room filled with scientists dressed in typical lab attire.
3. In both narratives, the titular monkey faces the prospect of not returning to Earth, prompting emotional pleas from their characters.
4. The scientists, instead of listening to the monkey’s desperate attempts to communicate, turn off their monitors.
5. Each sketch culminates in a dramatic sequence involving a mishap with the monkeys, though SNL’s version includes an added twist.
Fans of The Whitest Kids U’ Know have taken note of these striking similarities. While many accusations of SNL borrowing material often result from similar comedic themes, this instance, with its highly specific details, invites speculation on whether a case of imitation might be at play.
Despite the controversy, it’s important to remember that comedy often thrives on similar ideas circulating in various forms, as creativity is influenced by shared experiences and cultural references. The world of comedy remains vibrant, and these dialogues about originality encourage artists to innovate and enrich the landscape of entertainment.
In a hopeful perspective, this conversation surrounding comedy theft serves to fuel new ideas, motivate artists to continuously push boundaries, and remains a reminder of the power of idea sharing in the craft of comedy. As the industry evolves, it may lead to even more original content from both seasoned performers and emerging talents.