‘SNL’ Returns to a Perilous Late-Night Climate

Fans tuning into the premiere of “Saturday Night Live” are likely accustomed to the comedy sketch show’s unapologetic approach to political satire.

Cast members have mocked everyone from former US President Barack Obama to Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Donald Trump, who once called the show “unwatchable,” has been the subject of many sketches.

The late-night show landscape, however, is more perilous this time around.

Last month, ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after Kimmel joked about Trump’s response to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The suspension came after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel and suggested the network should take action against the show during an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson.

Trump, who appointed Carr as FCC chairman, has repeatedly criticized Kimmel and other late-night show hosts on Truth Social.

Soon after, Nexstar, an ABC-affiliate, said it would “preempt” the show “for the foreseeable future.” Another affiliate, Sinclair, also suspended the show from its stations.

While Trump and members of his administration praised the decision, many politicians and celebrities said it was a troubling infringement on freedom of speech and the long tradition of late-night hosts lampooning American leaders. Some customers of Disney, which owns ABC, canceled their Disney+ subscriptions and Disney-themed vacations in response.

The Kimmel cancellation, along with broader political tensions, has reverberated beyond just the entertainment industry. Public relations experts told Business Insider that CEOs are declining press and other speaking opportunities, even on seemingly benign topics, for fear of irking the White House. They said company leaders are also being extra cautious about what they write online and in internal communications.

While ABC and its affiliates have since lifted the suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” all eyes are now on “Saturday Night Live” to see if the half-century-old comedy show tackles the subject of Kirk’s murder, the resulting fallout from Kimmel’s routine, or any number of other hot-button subjects that have arisen in Trump’s second term.

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And as if there wasn’t enough potential for the show, which will also debut a number of rookie cast members, to wade into hot water, Bad Bunny is scheduled to host.

The NFL announced this week that the Puerto Rican superstar would host the NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show in February, drawing criticism from some corners of Trump’s base.

Conservative commentator and former Fox News host Megyn Kelly called the decision an affront to MAGA.

“You tell me whether this is an active middle finger to all of MAGA and the right wing by putting this guy, who likes to dress in women’s dresses, and who hates the United States so much he won’t come here because he’s worried about ICE raiding his concert, as our Super Bowl entertainment,” Kelly said.

Bad Bunny cited concerns over Trump’s immigration crackdown as one reason for only holding shows in Puerto Rico, and not the rest of the US.

Representatives for NBC did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.