'SNL' Star Michael Che Faces Backlash After A Transphobic Joke About Caitlyn Jenner
The Weekend Update
The current hosts of Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update are writers Colin Jost and Michael Che, and their track record is hit and miss at best. Last Saturday's episode featured a huge miss, despite Chance The Rapper's charming turn as host.
A Transphobic Joke
When talking about Kanye West's new religious album and pivot to right wing politics, Che made a poorly written and poorly delivered joke comparing West to Caitlyn Jenner.
"At first I thought Kanye was losing his mind, and now I feel like he’s fine, he’s just turning into an old white lady. I mean, he used to be one of the coolest black dudes on Earth. Now he’s showing up to events in sweatpants and orthopedic sneakers, listening to Kenny G and trying to get black people to like Trump. It’s like, how long before this guy changes his name to Kathy? Now, you might think that I’m crazy, but about five years ago, there was a fella named Bruce Jenner, and he moved to Calabasas…"
Twitter Was Not Happy
Even Jost, who is not a stranger to anti-PC jokes, seemed uncomfortable with this one. He isn't the only one. After the joke aired, people on Twitter pointed out that it was not only an unfunny one, but that it was a mean spirited one. Comedian Avery Edison pointed out "the cruelty is the point."
Do Better, SNL
Fans of SNL tweeted out that there are plenty of talented folks left on the show (particularly new cast member Bowen Yang, who is killing it every time he's onscreen), and that giving a platform to Che is counterintuitive to the quality of the show. Do better, SNL.
