The cold opening of Saturday Night Live focused on the anti-Israel protests sweeping the nation, with a blue-collar parent expressing his disapproval of his daughter participating and insisting she focus on her education. Kenan Thompson played an Uber-driver father on a talk show discussing the protests with two other college parents. While they all supported the movement, Thompson made it clear that he did not support his daughter being involved and emphasized the importance of her attending classes and not wasting the expensive tuition he pays of $68,000 annually.
Despite his support for the protests, Thompson stated that he would not allow his daughter to participate in them as he works hard to pay her tuition. He humorously mentioned all the odd jobs he does to ensure she can attend college and jokingly expressed his frustration at the idea of her getting a degree in African Studies. The talk show host also brought up the raid on Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall, which was taken over by protesters for nearly 24 hours. The parents admitted they would be nervous to see their children getting arrested, but they were resigned to the fact that graduation ceremonies might be disrupted due to the protests.
Thompson remained steadfast in his commitment to ensuring his daughter graduates, even if it means he has to do it himself. He humorously stated that he would be in the audience cheering loudly for her, even if they were told to wait until the end of the ceremony. The skit touched on the tension between supporting a cause and wanting to ensure one’s child’s success, highlighting the challenges faced by parents in navigating their children’s involvement in activism. It also humorously brought attention to the lengths parents go to in order to support their children’s education and future success, even in the midst of social and political turmoil.
The skit used humor to address a serious issue, showcasing the conflicts and dilemmas faced by parents when their children become involved in protests and activism. It emphasized the importance of education and the sacrifices parents make to support their children’s goals and aspirations. The comedic elements helped to highlight the absurdity of the situations presented while also shedding light on the complexities of balancing support for social causes with personal responsibilities and commitments. Overall, the cold opening of Saturday Night Live provided a satirical take on a relevant and timely topic, offering a humorous perspective on the challenges faced by parents in modern society.
