Some Saturday Night Live viewers lashed out this weekend, but others missed out.
The sketch comedy show has drawn criticism for dedicating a nearly minute-and-a-half-minute “Weekend Update” segment to discussing the recent murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, including America’s fascination with the shooter’s appearance.
“The hunt for the man who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday continues, which really says something about America: A man is murdered in cold blood and the two main reactions are, ‘Yeah, health care sucks!’ And, ‘Girl, that shooter is hot,'” co-host Colin Jost quipped.
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“Saturday Night Live” “Weekend Update” hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che address the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO. (Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images)
Users on multiple social media platforms expressed disdain for the comment, decrying its lack of consideration for Thompson’s family. The 50-year-old businessman and his wife have two sons.
“Disgusting. I can’t watch this video. The victim’s family and friends are devastated right now,” one user wrote under a YouTube clip of the video. “Agreed. I don’t usually watch SNL and I can tell from the clips and comments supporting it that I won’t be watching it again. Making fun of someone’s murder like this is absolutely disgusting…a The family is grieving right now,” one person responded.
Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City. (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group via AP)
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“I mean the shooter is single??” another user commented, affirming Jost’s account. A day after Wednesday’s brutal shooting, the New York Police Department released the first photo of the suspected shooter without a mask, showing him smiling.
The NYPD released a photo of the suspect showing his facial features. (NYPD)
“New York City police said they captured a photo of the suspect smiling after he was apparently photographed flirting with a female employee at a local hotel, who was reportedly named ‘Lucky S. Bechalive.’ ” co-host Michael Che joked.
“Classless,” one user on X wrote. “Long time SNL watcher. I don’t think I’m special [sensitive] Any topic, but in today’s Weekend Update, they joke about the UnitedHealth CEO who was shot and killed in New York. This is truly disgusting and disrespectful. SNL, you need to do better,” another shouted.
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An NYPD officer is seen outside the Hilton Hotel in downtown New York where Brian Thompson was killed. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Jost also took aim at officials, specifically the New York Police Department.
“This week, New York City officials sent a stern message on crime: ‘If you shoot someone in the middle of the street, you better get on your bike, jump on a bus and get out of here, sir,'” he began.
“It’s crazy that a shooting happened three blocks from here in broad daylight and the guy just rode off on his bike. Probably because every police officer in the city was guarding our Christmas tree,” Joe said Sturt said, referring to the Christmas tree lighting in Rockefeller Plaza, which took place on the same day.
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NYPD officers hold a Christmas tree lighting ceremony outside Rockefeller Center on Wednesday, December 4. (Keina Betancu/AFP via Getty Images)
“The NYPD now believes the suspect left the city on a Port Authority bus. Thanks, but a Port Authority passenger who looked like the killer actually expanded the search,” Jost joked at the end of the thread. . Other viewers found the clip funny, with some enjoying the Port Authority jokes.
Representatives for “Saturday Night Live” did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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