New York City, New York – Saturday Night Live’s latest cold open took on the topic of Columbia University’s response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus during the Israel–Hamas conflict.
In the sketch, actors Mikey Day, Kenan Thompson, and Heidi Gardner portrayed concerned parents of students involved in the protests at Columbia University.
The previous week saw the arrest of numerous demonstrators after the university’s president sought assistance from the New York Police Department to restore order on campus. The police cleared Hamilton Hall after protesters took over the administration building earlier that day.
During the mock discussion on the protests, Gardner expressed her struggles with the situation and questioned the goals of the protesters, highlighting the strain it placed on her relationship with her daughter.
Thompson, on the other hand, initially commended young people for using their voices to advocate for their beliefs. However, his tone shifted when the topic turned to his own daughter, emphasizing the importance of her focusing on academics instead of participating in protests.
The conversation delved into concerns about increased police presence and the possibility of students getting arrested, with Gardner expressing fear of her daughter ending up behind bars, while Thompson brushed off such worries and focused on the high cost of tuition.
As the discussion continued, Thompson humorously emphasized his determination for his daughter to graduate, even if he had to attend the ceremony enthusiastically against the rules.
The “Weekend Update” segment featured surprise appearances by Jerry Seinfeld discussing press obligations and Dua Lipa making her debut as host and musical guest on the show.
Throughout the episode, SNL tackled various social and political issues with humor and satire, engaging viewers in current events through its unique brand of comedy.