In New York, USA, an episode of Saturday Night Live from October 2016 captured a moment in American politics that still resonates today. The sketch, featuring former cast members Cecily Strong and Alex Moffat, portrayed a debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The episode aired shortly after the Access Hollywood tape leak, adding to the charged atmosphere of the political landscape at the time.
Kate McKinnon’s portrayal of Clinton as a gleeful ambition monster brought laughs from the audience, highlighting the absurdity of the election season. The sketch cleverly played on the uncertainty of the times, with Strong hesitating to introduce Clinton as “President” before the election results were known. The humor of the skit came from the exaggeration of the candidates’ personalities and the anticipation of the outcome.
The following episode of SNL, after Trump’s victory, took on a more somber tone. McKinnon, as Clinton, sat at a piano and sang “Hallelujah” in a poignant moment of reflection. The contrast between the two episodes encapsulated the rollercoaster of emotions experienced during the election period. McKinnon’s performance as Clinton singing the haunting melody provided a snapshot of the disappointment and resolve felt by many after the election results.
The sketch from 2016 serves as a time capsule of a turbulent political era, capturing the uncertainty and emotions of that time. The satire and commentary provided by SNL reflected the feelings of many Americans as they grappled with the outcome of the election. The power of humor to address difficult topics and bring people together was evident in the response to the sketches.
Looking back on the episode, it is clear how the political landscape has evolved since then. The resonance of the satire remains relevant today, as the country continues to navigate the aftermath of the 2016 election. The ability of comedy to offer insight and reflection on society’s challenges was exemplified by the SNL sketches, reminding viewers of the importance of humor in difficult times.