The recent Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch has surprisingly deviated from the show’s usual tone, finally producing a genuinely funny and relevant piece after years of lackluster performances. In an unexpected move, SNL, a show once renowned for its cutting-edge humor, took a jab at the controversial issue of men competing against women in sports.
The sketch, styled after Netflix’s “Untold Stories” series, humorously depicts a tennis match between Charna Lee Diamond and Ronnie Dunster. The outcome of this match, especially after Diamond insists on continuing despite an injury, is both predictable and hilarious. While SNL stops short of directly mocking transgender athletes competing in women’s sports — likely to avoid a massive backlash — the underlying implication is pretty clear.
This skit comes at a time when debates around gender and sports are intensifying, highlighted by figures like Megan Rapinoe advocating for equal pay in sports. SNL’s piece indirectly points out the absurdity in claims like a WNBA team being able to compete with an NBA team. The reality, often silenced for fear of being labeled misogynistic, is that men’s sports generally attract more viewers and revenue due to higher levels of athleticism and competition.
The truth is, men and women have different physical capabilities, especially at elite levels of sports. Acknowledging this isn’t a slight against women but a recognition of biological realities. Men’s sports tend to be more popular and lucrative, not because of some societal conspiracy but because the level of play is typically higher.
SNL ridiculed the idea of women competing against men in sports last night. pic.twitter.com/75vruZUMic
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 19, 2023
While SNL’s latest sketch was a refreshing and humorous break from their norm, it’s probably an anomaly rather than a new trend. The show, notorious for its woke agenda, is unlikely to continue producing content that strays too far from its usual politically correct humor. This brief lapse into genuinely entertaining comedy will likely be corrected as the show continues to cater to its standard audience. For a fleeting moment, though, SNL managed to produce something that was actually worth a laugh.
Author: Steven Sinclaire
