The Weekend Update segment of Saturday Night Live’s Season 51 premiere delivered a sharp mix of satire and social commentary, targeting high-profile topics including J.K. Rowling’s controversial online presence, Sean “Diddy” Combs' recent sentencing, and the rise of AI-generated celebrities.
Co-anchor Colin Jost opened the segment by addressing reports that several major Hollywood agencies are expressing interest in signing Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress. In a biting joke, Jost said, “The AI-generated actress got her start after she had a hotel meeting with AI Harvey Weinstein,” referencing both the increasing use of artificial intelligence in entertainment and the ongoing reckoning with sexual misconduct in Hollywood.
One of the segment’s standout moments came when Bowen Yang appeared dressed as Dobby the House Elf from the Harry Potter series. Yang’s Dobby addressed J.K. Rowling’s recent social media activity, including her public criticisms of trans people and a reported dispute with Harry Potter actress Emma Watson.
“Master Rowling has done so much for Dobby, and inclusion in general,” Yang said in character, sarcastically referencing Rowling’s post-publication revelations about character identities. “Remember when Dumbledore was gay after the books came out? And when Hermione was Black only on Broadway? And when Cho Chang was… hmm, was Cho Chang Asian?” The pointed sketch drew attention to Rowling's history of retroactively adding diversity to her works, while also critiquing her anti-trans rhetoric.
Michael Che later turned to the topic of Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was sentenced to four years in prison. Che opened with, “It’s hard for me to enjoy watching someone I love get punished. But that’s what Diddy would do!” He continued with a darker joke referencing Combs’ courtroom plea for mercy, quipping, “He said the things he did were disgusting, shameful and sick. In fact, just thinking about it makes him harder than grandma’s candy!”
Weekend Update remained true to its brand of biting humor, balancing satire with commentary on celebrity culture, social issues, and the evolving role of technology in entertainment.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ