Chloe Fineman took responsibility for a sketch on “Saturday Night Live” in which she and Sydney Sweeney played servers at Hooters. Fineman revealed on a podcast that she pitched the idea to Sweeney, who then asked her to write it. The sketch received backlash for focusing on Sweeney’s appearance, with some criticizing it for sexualizing the actor given her past experiences with unwanted attention. Sweeney has spoken out in the past about feeling objectified due to her appearance and the characters she portrays on screen. Despite Sweeney reaching out to Fineman to write the sketch, some viewers were still unhappy with the way the episode seemed to objectify Sweeney.
Sweeney has shared in interviews her experiences of being highly sexualized in high school due to her appearance, which she has also portrayed in roles like Cassie on “Euphoria.” She expressed frustration with the public’s tendency to reduce her to her appearance and not see her as a multidimensional person outside of her roles as an actor. Sweeney described feeling like people believe she has signed her life away and is no longer viewed on a human level. This perception creates a disconnect between her on-screen characters and her real-life persona, leading to the objectification and criticism she faces in public discourse.
The Hooters sketch on “SNL” featuring Sydney Sweeney received criticism on social media for its focus on her appearance rather than her talents as an actor. Some viewers called for the show’s writers to give Sweeney material that showcases her other qualities beyond her physical attractiveness. The backlash highlights a larger conversation around the objectification of women in the entertainment industry and how female actors are often reduced to their looks rather than their skills and abilities. The criticism of the sketch points to the need for more thoughtful and nuanced portrayals of women in media that go beyond stereotypes and clichés related to appearance.
Chloe Fineman’s experience pitching the Hooters sketch to Sydney Sweeney brings to light the challenges faced by writers and performers in creating comedy that doesn’t rely on objectification or stereotypes. The fallout from the sketch underscores the importance of considering the impact of humor and satire on marginalized individuals and the responsibility that creators have when representing them on screen. The controversy surrounding the sketch serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for greater diversity and inclusivity in comedy and entertainment, as well as the need for creators to be mindful of the messages they convey through their work. The public response to the sketch demonstrates the power of media in shaping perceptions of individuals and the importance of portraying them with respect and dignity.
