Michael Che criticises SNL fan over Epstein island sketch idea involving children

Michael Che calls SNL fan pitch for Epstein island sketch featuring actual children inappropriate and unfunny

Michael Che has publicly criticised a Saturday Night Live viewer who suggested the show create an Epstein island sketch featuring actual children.

In a since-deleted Instagram Story, the 42-year-old comedian shared a screenshot of a private message proposing the sketch “like it was a joke but just have it be reality and have Trump and Elon etc etc partying with actual children”.

Che responded: “That’d be funny to you..?” adding, “pedo reenactments with actual kids..you think the audience would be laughing at that..?” He later commented: “I guess I just don’t understand comedy audiences anymore,” highlighting the inappropriateness of the idea.

Jeffrey Epstein owned Little Saint James in the US Virgin Islands, which became associated with his alleged sex trafficking operations.

Addressing recurring criticism of the programme, Che wrote: “I get so much SNL criticism that starts with ‘if yall had any balls,’” before adding: “Nah, we do. We just air on Channel 4, you muppet.” He also remarked: “I wonder if Ice-T gets messages like ‘show penetration on SVU, cowards!’”

Saturday Night Live has previously referenced Epstein in sketches. In a December cold open, cast member James Austin Johnson portrayed Donald Trump discussing redacted Epstein files.

“We released all the files, and I come out looking, frankly, very good,” Johnson said in character. “We had to redact a few sensitive things, but you’ll get the gist here…” The parody included a large redacted document displaying the words: “Trump Didn’t Do Nothing Bad.”

Last week, the programme cut a sketch featuring Colin Jost as a scientist discussing the Epstein-Barr virus. Some viewers later expressed disappointment online that it did not air, praising its writing and performance.